Friday, February 29, 2008
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2008-02-29 Baptism and Physical Traditions
A friend wrote a post pertaining to the question of water baptism. After reading the post and reading through the comments, I found I had the following to share...
I would not use the “Jesus did it” stance pertaining to water baptism. Jesus fulfilled the law; are you going to fulfill the law yourself because “Jesus did it”? Jesus walked through all of the Jewish traditions; are you going to walk through all of the Jewish traditions yourself because “Jesus did it”? The one thing that we are to do is to Love and that is still not because “Jesus did it”, but because Love is what the heart of the Father has always desired of His creation.
Water baptism, a Jewish feast/meal/supper, robes, hats, etc… physical traditions are not where pleasing our Father God lies. Pleasing our Father God lies in Perfect Love, which is found by seeing less of us and more of Him in a life. When we get the flesh with those fleshly reactions out of the way, then the Spirit can move and guide us in reactions that show the fruit of the Spirit and that fruit is the fruit of Love as God IS Perfect Love.
As humans, we can definitely partake in the physical traditions, but they should not become our “new law” and the physical traditions should only be representative of spiritual truths as Jesus lived them out and explained to those around Him. Physical traditions are of no consequence to the heart of the Father. These physical traditions may boost faith for people and, in so, they are beneficial to their hearts, but for the next person they may become a law and replace the Law of Freedom of which the Spirit of God is the minister here today… and that is not beneficial.In Truth, spirituality is not to be based on or dependent upon physical traditions. Salvation and living here on Earth all comes down to Perfect Love – the heart of the Father has always desired to see His Perfect Love in His creation.
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Comments (7)
Thanks for the link (and the commentary)! :) It definitely fits into where I'm at right now, and what I think the Holy Spirit is revealing to His Body lately.
@GermanWrench -
I hope I didn't share too much. I made a mental note on Wednesday when I read your post... and I knew I wanted to follow up and write out the thoughts I had coming to mind.
I have to agree with you. I really don't like physical traditions, which is why the major holidays have begun to get so depressing for me. It's the same ole tradition/materialism every year. No one wants to move out of the circle of "me and mine," long enough to be a blessing to anyone else. It's pitiful. I have to find a resolution that is financially equitable for my son and I soon. Peace and blessings.
@Heshewethree -
I've decided to focus on the importance of showing Love all the year through!! Speaking up when I appreciate someone and helping with something that I might have just moved past before.
This world really is just a test in Love and we either get it or we don't. Thanks for your comment and I will have faith for your situation; I know that the Father will greatly bless you in your seeking!! He is awesome that way!!
You know, salvation is possible without water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and all the other gifts taugh in Hebrews 6:1-3, but why not take advantage of all the elementary principles of our faith. In this world I want to be armed and dangerous. Baptism is obedience, the willingness to do something that seems foolish to our senses to show something that happened internally.
Heather
Although baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is enjoined upon believers. Peter said, "repent, and be baptize", and Paul spoke of "being buried with him (Jesus) in baptism, and being raised to newness of life." Jesus said all who believe and are baptize would be saved, and to Nicodemus He said for a man to enter the kingdom he must be born of water and of the spirit.
On the other hand, the thief on the cross did not have time to get baptized, yet was assured by Jesus of eternal life.
Water baptism, while not necessary for salvation, is still an important symbol of our committment to Jesus Christ. Remember the story of Naman the leper. We should not let pride keep us out of the water.
Since the verse you quote on the "Born of water and Spirit" is a figure of speech, because how can you be born "of water" which was the point of Yeshua's (Jesus) commentary to reference the birth of man and the birth of God (water and Spirit).
The Jewish fixation of cleansing was based on the law to keep one pure, but Yeshua made it plain that the washing of hands is nothing, only the washing of the inside (heart) had any real (eternal) value. The Apostles were Jews, so they kept many of their own traditions and pawned them off on the gentiles later. It became apparent that water baptism had no effect when both the Samaritans with Phillip and the Centurions family both received the Spirit outside of water baptism.
That doesn't mean they all got it. Humans have a tendency to become fixated on their traditions. If you want to, fine. No problem. But really, do you want to be under some law like that when freedom has been given to us?
Everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial. Choose to do what is beneficial, but don't condemn yourself under the law of Do's and Don'ts. Those things are all going to pass away, instead seek the Father with all your heart, for His love endures forever.