Foundational Truths 2

Even though Patrick had already been baptized in water, it had little relevance and carried little power for him because he did not understand what it stood for and why it was necessary. He thought the purpose of water baptism was “to fulfill all righteousness”. He also believed that the purpose of baptism in the Holy Spirit was so believers would speak in tongues. He knew nothing about the baptism of fire. He was not taught about these things and because of his ignorance, he could not connect with the power they brought.

The baptisms are a channel of divine power into the life of the believer. Believers lay hold on this power through faith furnished by understanding.

Baptism in water disconnects us from our old life so that we would be empowered to walk in the newness of life. Baptism in the Holy Ghost empowers us while baptism of fire purifies us so we can be used for greater things by God (2 Timothy 2:21).

When we believe in Jesus, we die to our old life and should put on the new life. Our spiritual burial is marked by our water baptism. Through it, every record of darkness concerning us is erased and we are brought into the expectation of the resurrection. We died with Christ(through faith), are buried with Him through [water] baptism, and would be resurrected just like Him because we have gone through the first two processes with Him.

Go into today meditating on the following verses:
Romans 6:3-5 (NET) Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.

Prayer: Thank you Father for the mystery and power of the baptisms. Please help me make the most of them and walk in the newness of life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Abraham Damilola Arigi

Bible In One Year: Job 7-8 (In Devotional Audio)