Baptism In Water

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

Baptism In Water

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

We believe that some misunderstandings exist in Christian circles concerning being baptized in water. Because of lack of proper teaching concerning water baptism, some folks just get wet. It becomes a ritual, a form, with no real change in the life of the person who is baptized. All such misunderstandings come from our natural, carnal minds, which can never understand the word of God.

Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Jordan River represents a place of inheritance, a place to cross over from the old to the new, a place of transition from death to life. 

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:13-15

When Jesus said, "For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness," He was referring to fulfilling the plan and purpose of God. What was that plan and purpose? Jesus fulfilled the law,

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4

When Jesus was baptized He was identifying Himself with the men He came to save, in the hour of their new consciousness of their own sin, and of their search for God. Jesus identified with man in every way. This fact is critical for our understanding of baptism in water. Jesus identified with man in every way so that we might identify with HIM in every way. Jesus said,

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16

Does this mean that unless you are baptized in water then you are not saved? NO!!! What if a man is saved on his deathbed but has no time to be baptized in water?

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 12:13

We are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ ... the church. Do you really believe that a little H2O (water) is required to save someone and that the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit cannot save someone without the application of water? So what does Mark 16:16 mean? "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." The scripture does NOT say, "baptized in water." Man, in his carnal mind, has included the words "in water." Man always tries to pull the significance of scripture down to his own level, rather than seeking to rise up to the level of the Spirit. Similarly in what men call the "great commission," 

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:18-19

We do not see anything in that commandment of the Lord to baptize them in water. The verse just says, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus never baptized any one in water (John 4:2). The apostle Paul likewise did not see anything in the "great commission" that says we should baptize them in water. Paul said, speaking of being baptized in water,

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17

Christians actually argue whether we should baptize new believers in water (1) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost or (2) only in the name of the Lord Jesus. Do you really think that the specific words that the minister says when you are baptized in water makes a difference in your life?

Philip understood "the great commission" in the same way that Paul did.

12 But when they [the people of Samaria] believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized [in water], both men and women.

16 (For as yet He [the Holy Spirit] was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Acts 8:12, 16

Does this mean that we should NOT be baptized in water? Of course not!!! Every believer, if physically possible, SHOULD be baptized in water. It is true that being baptized in water is an act of obedience. However, being baptized in water is MUCH more than just being obedient to the word. It is an external sign and confirmation to others as well as to our self that we have identified in our heart with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The word "baptism" means to "immerse" or "dip." When we are fully immersed (NOT sprinkled) under the water we are identifying ourselves fully with the death of Jesus. When we come up out of the water, we are identifying with His resurrection. 

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4

We have said above what we believe Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16 do NOT mean. If that be true, then what do those verses actually mean?

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16

First of all let us remember that the word "baptize" means to immerse or to dip. In Matthew 28:19, "baptizing them in the name..." should more accurately be translated "baptizing into ..." The Greek word translated as "in" is the word "eis," which means "into." Only three entities in scripture speak of that into which men were (are) baptized. The first is Moses. 

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-2

So the Jews were baptized unto Moses. The word "unto" is the same Greek word "eis." So we should more accurately translate that verse as they were "all baptized INTO" Moses. Moses stands for the law. So being baptized into Moses means being immersed into the law. The law then becomes your way of life.

The second entity into which men were baptized was John the Baptist, who represents a transition between law and grace. Scripture is very clear that John baptized in water unto repentance... to prepare the way of the Lord.

John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Acts 19:4

The third baptism is that recorded in Matthew 28:19, baptizing into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This means, as Jesus said, "teaching all nations" and immersing them into the Name of the Lord. So Acts 28:19 means we are to teach all nations, immersing them into the Name of the Lord, into the Person of the Lord, into His life, into His truth, into His ways. The Lord becomes our life. His thoughts are to become our thoughts. His will is to become our will. His words are to become our words. His ways are to become our ways. We are to be completely immersed into HIM!

So the Jews were baptized into Moses (the law), then were baptized by John the Baptist into repentance, and finally baptized (fully immersed) into the Name of the Lord (grace and truth). It is by teaching all nations (on our part) and the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit (on His part) that we immerse them into the grace and truth of our Lord.

Note that the Apostle Paul decries any other baptism in his first letter to the Church at Corinth. 

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in [INTO, the Greek word is "eis"] the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 

1 Corinthians 1:12-15

The Lord says, Woe to those pastors who baptize (immerse) His people into their own name (character, nature, or doctrine). Now let us examine once more the word in Mark.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16

Again, we believe the Entity that verse refers to into which we should be baptized is the Name (Person) of the Lord. The words "shall be saved" is future tense, NOT present tense. Please remember that "we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved" IF we hold fast unto the end.

One final word about baptism in general: Scripture speaks about being baptized in water, being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Others have talked about a baptism of suffering and a baptism of love. I even heard one man teach extensively about being baptized in glory. Please consider the following verses. 

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Clearly, these verses say there is only ONE baptism! So is this talking about being baptized in water? or in the Holy Spirit? or what? There is no discrepancy here and no confusion. The problem lies solely in our carnal minds. The one baptism refers to HIS (Jesus') baptism, NOT our baptism. Most doctrinal errors arise when we try to interpret scripture from OUR perspective, as it relates to us, independent of Jesus. This is why many Christians, when they are baptized in water, simply get wet. They do not see the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have not seen that the one baptism is His baptism. When we are baptized in water, we are identifying with HIS death and resurrection, the one baptism. No man (except Jesus) could live up to the law. Likewise, no man (but Christ) can live the Christian life. It is no longer I but it is Christ who lives in me. The Lord is not making us "better." Our old man (human nature) died with Christ at Calvary. We are dead to self but alive unto God. Christ in you is the hope of glory!

Restoring the Truth of Baptism In Water

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

Restoring the Truth of Baptism In Water 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

A universal truth related to our walk as a Christian disciple is that we are called to identify with Jesus, not just with our mind, but in reality, with His baptism, His walk on earth in complete trust and obedience to the Father, His suffering, His weeping over (spiritual) Jerusalem, His death, His burial, His resurrection, and His intercession. Another universal truth is that the Lord, ever since the Reformation, has been gradually revealing more of Himself and His word to those disciples who are looking for Him. Derek Prince, an outstanding teacher in the 20th century, once said that about the year 300 the "Christian world" changed the truth of water baptism. That was a time period when many Christians believed one could not be forgiven if they sinned after baptism.

One of the major truths that the Lord desires to restore today is the true significance of water baptism. For many years I personally had little understanding of the great significance of water baptism, partly because I never remember receiving any teaching on that ordinance and partly because I never looked into the scriptural truth of being baptized in water. I grew up in a Christian environment where water baptism was what a good Christian should do. A few years later I received a little more light (not through a man) that when we are baptized in water we are identifying ourselves with His baptism in water.

On July 3, 2018, one of our grandsons, who lives in California, asked me to baptize him in water. Of course I gladly and with much joy accepted his request. Early Sunday morning, July 8, 2018, in the Virginia Beach area, 14 family members and two young babies gathered together and our grandson was baptized in water. That event was very clearly ordained by the Lord.

However for 3 days prior to his baptism I spent much time seeking the Lord and searching the scriptures on the topic of water baptism, something I had never done before in any depth. I did that because the Holy Spirit quickened to present a brief teaching on water baptism the afternoon before the actual baptism. This word includes an amplified version of what I shared that Saturday afternoon.

As we emphasized in our previous message, a number of verses make it clear that we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. We then become new creatures in Christ ... we enter into newness of life ... we are no longer the old person that we used to be. Our eternal salvation is guaranteed provided we do not later reject or deny Jesus or blaspheme the Holy Ghost. Then we must begin to die to self and live for Christ. Once we are "born again" the Lord instructs us to be baptized in water to confirm what has happened to us spiritually. We don't become part of the body of Christ through water baptism, but through faith in Christ. However, we must understand that being born again and baptized in water is not the end of our journey. The end of our journey is to enter the Promised Land, which speaks of the Kingdom of God.

The word "baptize" means to immerse, to dip, or to make fully wet. Immersion is the biblical method of baptism because of its symbolic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Anyone who receives water baptism must realize what it means to receive it. An infant cannot do that. Further, an infant cannot repent, cannot believe in his heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, cannot become a disciple of the risen Christ, and cannot answer God with a good conscience. Therefore, infant baptism is not Scriptural; neither is sprinkling, because there is no immersion.

Baptism in water does not bring initial salvation; initial salvation precedes and qualifies us for water baptism, which should be the first thing we do after we are "born again." Those who have received Jesus in their hearts should desire to follow Him or be His disciples. Further all of our steps toward perfection must be carried out by faith with a good conscience to God; i.e., we must be sincere and not simply go through the motions. God knows our heart.

Water baptism is a beautiful picture of what our Lord has done for us. As we are completely immersed in the water, we symbolize the burial of our old man and his works of death; we are baptized into His death on the cross and are no longer slaves to self or sin. Our sins are then washed away by God for those who, by faith, put their trust in Him. When we are raised out of the water, we are likewise resurrected ... raised to new life in Christ to be with Him forever.

Just as water cleanses the flesh, so the Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts when we trust Christ. Every believer, if physically possible, should be baptized in water. These truths are stated in numerous scriptures, such as, 

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is [was] crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed [made ineffective], that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.

10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:3-14

A Scriptural example of being baptized in water is:

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18

Later, Paul gives an account of what Ananias said to him.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16

Ananias asked Paul, "Why tarriest thou?" or "What are you waiting for?" A significant fact is that in every example in the New Testament, the believers were baptized immediately in water. But that baptism in water was not the same as the baptism in water unto repentance by John the Baptist. There are two separate, distinct baptisms in water.

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove and He received the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized He was identifying Himself with the men He came to save, in the hour of their new consciousness of their own sin and of their search for God. Jesus identified with man in every way so that we might identify with HIM in every way. But what did Jesus mean when He said, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness"? Jesus certainly never needed repentance because He always did the will of the Father. Jesus fulfilled most of the law by his obedience to the word of God. The final part of Jesus fulfilling the law completely was when He was baptized by John the Baptist. John the Baptist's baptism in water does not apply to Christians because Jesus has already fulfilled the law. Christians can never fulfill the law, although some still try to do that. Our baptism in water is not based on law but on grace.

From 1 Corinthians 10:2, which we will look at in detail in a few more minutes, the Jews coming out of Egypt were baptized unto or into Moses. Moses stands for the law, so being baptized into Moses means being immersed into the law. The law then becomes our way of life.

Christians actually argue whether we should baptize new believers in water (1) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost or (2) only in the name of the Lord Jesus. I see no conflict between those two truths. In Matthew 28:18-20, 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

"Baptizing them in the name" should more accurately be translated "baptizing into the name." Baptizing into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost means "teaching (discipling) all nations" and immersing them into the nature, the character, the essence of the Godhead. That includes immersing them into the Name of the Lord, into the Person of the Lord, into His life, into His truth, into His ways. The Lord becomes our life. His thoughts are to become our thoughts. His will is to become our will. His words are to become our words. His ways are to become our ways. We are to be completely immersed into HIM! It is by teaching all nations (on our part) and the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit (on His part) that we immerse them into the grace and truth of our Lord.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:12-15 denounces any other baptism. Woe to those pastors who baptize the Lord's people into their own name (character, nature, or doctrine).

Ephesians 4:5 says there is only ONE baptism! So is this talking about being baptized in water? or with the Holy Spirit? or what? There is no discrepancy here and no confusion. The one baptism refers to HIS (Jesus') baptism, NOT our baptism. It refers to identifying with His baptism. Most doctrinal errors arise when we try to interpret scripture from OUR perspective, as it relates to us, independent of Jesus. This is why many Christians, when they are baptized in water, simply get wet. They do not see the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have not seen that the one baptism is His baptism. When we are baptized in water, we are identifying with HIS death, burial, and resurrection, the one baptism.

Now let us look at two of the major Old Testament patterns of water baptism. In the Old Testament we see two arks ... the ark in Genesis and the ark in Exodus. The ark in Genesis is the ark that Noah built according to the detailed instructions of the Lord. The ark in Exodus is the ark in the tabernacle of Moses ... again built according to the specific instructions of the Lord. Both arks speak of the Lord Jesus Christ. The ark of Noah speaks of us in Christ. The ark of the tabernacle speaks of Christ in you, the hope of glory.

That great flood brought judgment to those not in the ark but life to the eight who went into the ark. Have you ever considered that many of the animals that went into the ark were mortal enemies of some other animals? for example, the lion and the lamb. Just think of all of the problems Noah might have had. But every creature that entered the ark underwent a change in nature, in behavior. So it is with us. When we enter into Christ, are born again and baptized in water, we undergo a change in our nature, in our behavior. If any professing Christian does not undergo a change then it is questionable whether they have ever been born again. We should note (Genesis 8:19) that when Noah and his family and all of the animals "went forth out of the ark," they (both man and beast) soon reverted to their old nature. Even Noah got drunk and was seen naked by his sons. It is only in Christ that we can walk in newness of life. 

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:18-21

Note that only eight souls were saved. The population of the earth at that time was perhaps two million. Eight out of two million is a very small percentage. Verse 21 says "the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also save us ..." So it is perhaps likely that the same percentage applies in these last days... eight out of two million. "Many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

A second Old Testament pattern of water baptism is described in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 10. 

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

[Baptized in the sea speaks of water baptism; baptism in the cloud speaks of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.]

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

From Verses 6 and 11, what happened when the Israelites were delivered from bondage and captivity in Egypt are examples for us and for our admonition. Verse 1 is one of six times in the New Testament that Paul says, "I would not that ye should be ignorant." Peter says the same thing once. In Exodus 13 and 14 we read that the Israelites first killed a lamb and put the blood on the two side posts and on the lintel, above the door. That foreshadowed the blood of the Lamb which was shed at Calvary. When we trust in that precious blood, we experience being born-again ... the first step in our salvation. But the blood of Jesus, as important and necessary as it is for us, was not (and is not) the final separation from the forces of darkness.

Before the departing Israelites reached the Red Sea, 

21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Exodus 13:21-22

Note that the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud. The pillar of a cloud and a pillar of fire typify being baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly portrays Christ as the baptizer: "I [John the Baptist] baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" (Matthew 3:11). But neither was it the baptism with the Holy Ghost that caused the final separation of the Israelites from bondage and captivity.


19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. Exodus 14:19-20

When the Egyptians, with their 600 chariots, were about to catch up with the Israelites, the pillar of cloud moved from before the Israelites to behind them. Thus the Israelites passed under the cloud prior to passing through the sea. The Lord caused the waters of the Red Sea to divide and the Israelites passed through the Sea on dry ground. The fact that the riverbed became dry ground is itself a miracle. The Israelites passed through the Red Sea by faith.

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. Hebrews 11:29

Why did the Egyptians drown? because they did not pass through the sea by faith. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: ..." (Hebrews 11:6). It is critical to understand that the Egyptians all drowned in the Red Sea and therefore could no longer pursue the Israelites. Not one of the pursuing Egyptians was able to pass through the Red sea. Every one of them drowned. The final separation of the forces of darkness, represented by Egypt, from the Israelites happened when the Israelites passed through the sea, symbolic of water baptism.

Passing through the sea was life to the Israelites but darkness and death to all the forces of evil. Passing through the sea speaks of water baptism. Therefore the final separation between the Israelites and the evil forces of darkness occurred when they passed through the sea. That means that the last inch of any legitimate claim that the enemy has over us is removed after we are baptized in water. From that point on in the life of a believer, the only way that the enemy can do us any harm is if we act in unbelief, as in 1 Corinthians 10:5-10.

Returning to 1 Corinthians 10:5-10, we read that with many (or most) of them, God was not well pleased. Why? because they reverted in numerous ways back to works of the flesh. They did not die daily to self. In effect, they no longer trusted the Lord. As a result only two adults, Joshua and Caleb, actually entered the Promised Land (the Kingdom of God).

All Israel passed through a double baptism ... a baptism under the cloud (the baptism with the Holy Spirit) and a baptism in the sea (water baptism). Just before they passed through the sea, the pillar of cloud was their protection by day and the pillar of fire was their protection throughout the night. But when they passed through the sea on dry land, they emerged a new people, with new laws, a new leader, and a new destination. The enemy could no longer touch them as long as they continued in faith and did not yield to the lies of darkness.

The beautiful truth of the profound provisions in water baptism for the Lord's people is complete remission of past sins, a divine new nature extended, and final separation from the forces of darkness. We must once more emphasize the tremendous importance of water baptism. The final separation of the people of God from the forces of darkness was not the blood of the Lamb which was shed at Calvary; it was not the baptism with the Holy Spirit; but it was when we pass through the sea of the baptism in water. At that point the enemy has no legitimate right to follow us anymore. We have accepted the lies of the enemy long enough! May the true meaning of water baptism restore that which the Lord intends and give us all overwhelming gratitude for His unfolding truths!

The real tragedy was when many of the Christian community downgraded the importance of water baptism. But praise the Lord who is restoring the truth of being baptized in water!

The end of the matter is by our daily dying to self and our daily obedience to the Lord, by the power of the Holy Ghost, we allow the Spirit of God continuously to make us perfect until He appears the second time without sin unto salvation. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

In our next three messages, we hope to share the significance of the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts.