A Jot From John
“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
One gets into Christ by being baptized into Christ. (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3-4). Baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19). One enters the kingdom of God by being born again. (John 3:3) Begotten by the incorruptible seed, the word of God. (1 Peter 1:23). “. . . born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5). Experiencing “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism into Christ is baptism unto salvation. (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Salvation is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 2:10).; Acts 4:12). Baptism is into the one body. (1 Cor 12:13) and Christ is the Savior of the body. (Eph. 5:23).
In coming into Christ there is a glorious transition from the old unto the new. There is a transition out of darkness into light. Out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of his love (Col. 1:23).
There is a passing from bondage into liberty. (Rom. 6:12-14; 17-18). This is unto sonship and freedom. (Gal. 4:7; 5:13; Rom. 8:2).
There is a passing from a lost condition into salvation. Jesus came as the Savior; Christ. (Luke 2:10-11; 19:10; John 3:16-17). The “lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). He promised salvation to obedient believers. (Mark 16:16). Obedient believers were saved. (Acts 2:37-41, 47; 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:1-2). There is a passing from death unto life. (1 John 3:14). “. . . Like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4-5; Col. 2:12). “And you did he make alive. . . . .” (Eph. 2:1-10; Col. 2:12-13).
This translation should be accomplished by or closely followed by a transformation of life. There must be a putting off of the old man and a putting on of the new man. (Col. 3:5-10; Eph. 4:22:24). A crucifixion of the flesh with its lusts and passions. (Gal. 5:24).
There must be a renewing of the mind; a seeking of things above. (Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:1-4). A “looking unto Jesus.” (Heb. 12:1-2). A pressing on “toward the goal unto the prize.’ (Phil. 3:13-14). A partaking of “the divine nature” unto “entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:2-11).
Cut this out, keep it in your Bible for a ready reference to the subject of baptism.
Onward Rejoicing, John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
