The Assurance That You Have Been Forgiven

As soon as you repented, asking God for forgiveness for your entire sinful past, He forgave your sin completely. Even in the Old Testament, people who acknowledged their sins and confessed them could know with certainty that they had been forgiven: “Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord!’ And You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Ps. 32:5).

Although many doubts may cross your mind, the basis for knowing that you have been forgiven is faith in what God declares in His inspired Word. Thus, God Himself has promised those who draw near to Him with sincere repentance and a desire to be freed from guilt that He will cleanse their souls, making them like snow that covers everything with immaculate white: ““Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18).

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus repeatedly affirmed that He has the authority on earth to forgive sins. Thus, in the Gospel of Mark, we are told that when a paralytic was brought before Him, the first thing the Lord said to him was: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5). Likewise, in the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a sinful woman who wept over her sins at the Lord’s feet received forgiveness and salvation (deliverance, the power to sin no more) from Him: “Then He said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven!’” (Luke 7:48). To this day, the Lord continues to forgive every person who comes to Him with sincere repentance and a desire to be made pure before God. If you have confessed your sins and asked Him to forgive you, then you must believe His Word, which says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) From now on, you can praise the One who, unseen by you, has erased the entire record of your past sins in heaven. One day you will see with your own eyes just how significant this act of pardoning a “condemned man” was, for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Rom. 6:23). When the evil one, the enemy of your soul, once again tempts you with feelings of guilt over past deeds, you can defend yourself with these words of the Lord, which you would do well to memorize. From now on, you can praise the One who has forgiven you without your deserving it, just as the apostle John did, together with the first-century Christians: “To Him who loves us, who has washed us from our sins with His blood and has made us a kingdom and priests for God, His Father: to Him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” (Rev. 1:5–6).

God’s Grace

As you grow in your life of faith, you will come to understand more and more that you have not deserved anything He has done for you—dying on the cross to pay for your sins and those of the whole world. This realization of your unworthiness will humble you more and more, leading you to praise His mercy with even greater fervor. This mercy, this compassion—the undeserved gift He bestows upon us by giving us eternal life and eternal happiness in His glory—is called “grace.” The meaning of grace stems precisely from the idea that we deserve nothing, yet He had mercy and gave what was most precious to Him—His only Son—to die for us.

Therefore, the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from guilt were not given to you because you did anything worthy of them, but precisely because you acknowledged your unworthiness, repented, and sought His mercy: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8–9).

We could not have earned our salvation even if we had done every possible good deed on earth, for no person justly condemned to death could escape simply by beginning to change his behavior. What about the “crimes” (sins) committed that brought about his condemnation? Only a decision to forgive, a “pardon,” could save such a person, and this is precisely what God has done for us: “He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our own works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:9).

Grace means God’s undeserved mercy toward a wretched sinner who would have deserved eternal torment; it means a decree of pardon coming from the highest authority: God Himself. What He has forgiven is rightly forgiven, and no one can change this, neither in heaven nor on earth. However, you must not think that God has already brought you into heaven, for you still have a journey to complete. The salvation you have just received must be carried through to the end, “with fear and trembling,” because opportunities to sin are bound to arise, but God gives us the strength to overcome them: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. And God, who is faithful, will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear; but with the temptation, He has also provided a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Do not forget that God’s grace is not a cheap gift, but was paid for with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish or defect: “And if you call upon Him as Father, who judges each person impartially according to their deeds, conduct yourselves with reverence during your time of exile; for you know that it was not with perishable things—silver or gold— were you ransomed from the empty way of life you inherited from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Pet. 1:17–19).

God’s grace also brings you a great responsibility: to break every tie with sin and with the things that in the past led you to sin: “For the grace of God, which brings salvation to all people, has been revealed, teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11–12).

New Life in Christ

Whoever has received forgiveness from the Lord also receives a new life, being practically transformed into a new creation. Everything becomes new: thoughts, deeds, words, desires, the way you spend your time, and the way you relate to those around you, as the Apostle Paul states: “For if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Because, in our own strength, would never have been able to resist sin, to hate sin, and to love righteousness (purity), the Lord God decided not merely to change us a little, but completely, when we turn to Him. God has promised all who repent and believe a new nature, like His own, and the rightful privilege of being called His children: “But to all who did receive Him—that is, to those who believe in His name—He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

In your new role as a child of God, you must manifest a character like that of your heavenly Father: in your speech, in your deeds, and in your thoughts. To this end, He brings about a radical transformation within your very being, completely changing your heart: “I will give them a new heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take the heart of stone out of their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow My commands, keep My laws, and obey them; and they will be My people, and I will be their God.” (Ezek. 11:19–20).

The Discipline of Prayer

Since you now truly have a Father in heaven and have entered into His family, it is perfectly natural to talk with your Father. It would be absurd to imagine a day spent at home with your earthly father without exchanging even a single word with him. Prayer is our daily conversation with God, our Father. It doesn’t need to follow any specific formulas or use fancy words; rather, it should be simple yet reverent toward the One who has not only given you life but also forgiveness and hope for the future.

Also, your initial prayers do not necessarily have to be very long; rather, it is better for them to be clear and specific. Begin by praising God with a hymn or several, then thank Him for all the things He has given you and is doing in your life: “Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20).

Your prayer should be sincere, natural, and springing from the new heart that your Father has placed within you. Avoid pointless repetition of empty words and go directly to the throne of His mercy with your requests: “Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6). Ask God to continue His work in your life, to grow you through His mercy, to strengthen you in faith, and to help you face the temptations and spiritual battles that the evil one wages to draw you back. Ask Him to help you emerge victorious through trials, when you face opposition from your family, when you lose friends, or when you are mocked for your faith. Prayer will draw you closer to Him and help you see everything in a new light, fixing your eyes on the future reward that is prepared for us in heaven. In this way, you will learn to “walk with God,” to tread the path with ever greater determination, and to desire more and more to praise and serve Him.

Daily Reading of God’s Word

I. What Is the Word of God?

As a new believer born again through the power of God, you need to know more about Him—about His power and mercy, His eternal plans, and what He desires from you. By reading the Bible and meditating on the Word of the Lord, you will come to know Him and grow ever deeper in your life of faith. Just as a newborn baby needs its mother’s milk all the time, so too do you need spiritual nourishment: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Pet. 2:2).

Here are a few things you should know about Holy Scripture, which contains God’s words addressed to humanity and to us personally today.

1. His Word is creative; it is spirit and life

When the Lord God decided to create the world, He needed neither plans, nor architects, nor engineers, nor laborers. He created everything with the Word of His power: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). All things came into being when God spoke, and all are sustained by His Word: “He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word…” (Heb. 1:3, Ps. 33:6).

During His public ministry in Israel, the Word of the Lord Jesus was always accompanied by the Spirit of God: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail; the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63). The Lord demonstrated this in a practical way when He called a man who had been dead for four days to come out: “After saying these things, He called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him and let him go.’ (John 11:43–44).

2. His Word Has Power

The angel who appeared to Mary reminded her of this great truth: “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37).

Through His words, the Lord Jesus healed people or cast out demons. When they brought a paralytic before Him, He did not even need to lay His hands on him or pray. It was enough for Him to speak a single word, and the man who had been lying there without hope rose from his mat (Matt. 9:2–8). When He was confronted by a legion of demons, all He had to do was command them through His powerful Word (Mark 5:2–13). Facing the barren fig tree, He spoke a single phrase and it withered (Matt. 21:19), and He commanded the storm, “Be still, you speechless one!” (Mark 4:39).  

3. His Word is eternal

From the earliest times of biblical history, God had affirmed that everything He spoke is eternal, just as He Himself is: “Your word, O Lord, endures forever in the heavens” (Ps. 119:89).

In turn, the Lord Jesus affirmed His own eternity and that of the words He spoke: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35).

II. Our Attitude Toward the Word

1. Obedience, Submission

In the Old Testament, there are numerous instances of disobedience that led to great tragedies in the lives of those who did not submit to the Word of life, such as, for example, Israel and the Gibeonites (Joshua chapter 9); King Saul (1 Sam. 15) and David (1 Chron. 21:1–15).

2. Treasure the Word in Your Heart

Scripture gives us a clear picture of how we are to treat the Word of the Lord: manna, the food He provided for His people during their 40-year journey through the wilderness (Num. 11:7–9). Remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” you must seek this spiritual nourishment every day, without which your soul withers and perishes. For the manna in the wilderness, the Israelites had to wake up early in the morning and gather it before sunrise, for when the dewdrops dried up, it would disappear. Likewise, the manna had to be gathered every morning and not kept until the next day. In practice, fresh manna was needed for each day. The same is true of the Word of the Lord: every day you need nourishment that must be taken in each morning. Reading Scripture and meditating on His words will help you avoid sinning during the day, just as David says—“I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I may not sin against You!” (Ps. 119:11). Furthermore, if you meditate on His Word day and night, you will gain true wisdom, which comes from above: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night! He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever he does prospers.” (Ps. 1:1–3).

The Christian’s Struggle

Salvation by grace does not encourage us to sin

The Apostle Paul warns against the danger of thinking that free forgiveness through grace allows us to sin carelessly, under the pretext that God’s grace is abundant: “What then shall we say? Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may abound? By no means! We who have died to sin—how can we still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, through baptism into His death, we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:1–4).

True grace teaches us to flee from “the corruption that is in the world”: “For the grace of God, which brings salvation to all people, has been revealed, teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, righteousness, and godliness, as we wait for our blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11–13).

Under no circumstances should grace be considered a guarantee for those who continue to live in sin: “I say, then: Walk by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; these are opposed to one another, so that you cannot do what you want... I warn you in advance, as I have said before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:16–17, 21).

There are many ways to fall and never get back up

There are many ways to fall, such as out of love for this world. The clearest example is Demas, a former servant of the Lord alongside the apostle Paul (Col. 4:14), about whom the apostle later had to say with sadness: “For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.” (2 Tim. 4:10).

Believers can fall through carelessness or a lack of devotion. Examples include Samson and Saul in the Old Testament, then Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament, as well as Simon the Magician (Acts 8:13–24).

Believers can also fall due to disobedience or a lack of submission. The Lord’s disciples dwindled drastically when He told them they were enslaved by sin (John 8:30–36, 50–59). They would have liked to remain disciples, but they did not want the Lord to speak to them anymore about the bonds of sin... Likewise, there are many who consider themselves “disciples” today, but do not want their lives to be sanctified. You must watch over your soul every day, so that your heart does not become hardened by “the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).

Another cause of falling away is straying from sound teaching. In this way, the Christians in Ephesus (Acts 20:29–30) were warned to guard against false teaching, as were those in Corinth: “I remind you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved—if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you; otherwise, you have believed in vain” (1 Cor. 15:1–2).

The worst condition, however, is blindness: to be lost and not to know it. Such were the Pharisees in the time of the Lord Jesus (John 9:39–41). One of the churches from the time of the apostles had come to the same state: “Because you say, ‘I am rich; I have prospered, and I need nothing,’ and you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may become rich; and white garments, so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen; and eye salve, so that you may anoint your eyes and see.” (Rev. 3:17–18).

In conclusion, you should always keep the fear of the Lord before your eyes and not think that, no matter how you live your life, He will not cast you away. The Lord Jesus Himself showed what will happen to any disciple who does not continue to sanctify his life: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He cuts off.” (John 15:2).

The Apostle Paul Sought to Finish His Journey Well

The Apostle Paul recounts his conversion to the Lord (three times in the Book of Acts, in chapters 9, 22, and 26).

He served God with great dedication and desired to know Him more: “That is why I strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men” (Acts 24:16).

The Apostle Paul feared that he himself might be disqualified: “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest, after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:27). Moreover, he personally warns every believer (and therefore you as well) to look carefully at God’s kindness, but also at His severity: “Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but kindness toward you—provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise, you too will be cut off” (Rom. 11:22). You can clearly see that the apostle Paul did not consider himself to have already reached the end of his salvation, but desired to grow in holiness and in service, with the Lord’s help: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider that I have taken hold of it yet; but I do one thing: forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12–14).

The Apostle Paul finished his race well. These are his final words before he was put to death for his faith: “For I am ready to be poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on “that day.” And not only for me, but also for all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:6–8). You should always keep this sincere question before your eyes: “Lord, how will I finish my race?” and ask Him for strength and grace to reach the finish line safely in this long race called life, remembering that it is written: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning” (Eccl. 7:8).

Salvation Must Be Carried Through to the End

1) Sanctification is an ongoing process: “Therefore, since we have such promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit and pursue holiness to the end, in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1).

“May the Lord make you increase more and more in love for one another and for all, just as we ourselves do for you, so that your hearts may be strengthened and be blameless in holiness, before God our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thess. 3:12–13).

2) Sanctification is the result of the Holy Spirit’s cooperation with our desire to please Him, as we turn away each day from whatever seems wrong to us: “Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who has called you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:22–24).

   3) Salvation must be carried through to the end. If we cherish holiness, the Holy Spirit will work it out in us—but not without our consent, nor without our cooperation through concrete, even radical, actions: “Therefore, put to death your earthly members: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry... But now put away all these things: anger, hostility, malice, slander, and shameful language that may come out of your mouths.” (Col. 3:5, 8). We are called to complete our salvation, with reverence for the Lord and care not to fall into sin: “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12).G. Christian Baptism

I. What Is Baptism?

1. A sign (symbol) of a spiritual reality

Holy Scripture often uses symbols from the visible, material world to clarify the invisible, spiritual reality. The Old Testament is full of symbols of things that were to take place in the New Covenant. For example, the anointing of priests and kings with oil (holy oil, prepared according to a specific formula) symbolized the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them, which took place immediately afterward. All the rituals at the Temple signified a spiritual truth that would later be revealed in the person and work of the Lord Jesus.

In the New Testament, there are two such “symbols” or practices that the Lord commanded to be observed after His death and resurrection.

The first is the Lord’s Supper, through which we are to remember His supreme sacrifice by which we have received forgiveness of sins, redemption from divine judgment, and eternal life. The bread and wine used during this holy meal symbolize (but do not become) the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus. (Matt. 26:26–29; 1 Cor. 11:23–27). The second is Christian baptism, which symbolizes the end of a life lived apart from God and the beginning of a new one, in obedience to the Lord, in holiness and light (Rom. 6:3–5).

2. A Command from the Lord Jesus

Before His ascension into heaven, the Lord gave His disciples what is called the “Great Commission”—to make disciples of all nations “by baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:18–20).  

3. A Public Testimony Before God and Before People

Jesus said that “a city set on a hill cannot be hidden, and people do not light a lamp only to put it under a basket.” He then added that He was referring to the light that Christians must shine before others: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matt. 5:14–16). Baptism is a testimony before God and all people who are willing to see that you desire to be pure and to follow the Lord. It is described in 1 Pet. 3:21 as “the testimony of a clear conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

The fact that you have decided to follow the Lord and live for His glory should not be kept hidden, but proclaimed to all, along with the Gospel of salvation through faith. The first step toward this is the opportunity provided by baptism, just as it was with the early Christians on the Day of Pentecost, when 3,000 new converts were baptized (Acts 2:37–42).

II. Why must baptism be performed?

1. To Obey the Lord

According to John 14:15, 21, obedience to the Lord’s commandments is the visible proof that we love the Lord Jesus from the depths of our hearts: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments... Whoever has My commandments and keeps them loves Me, and whoever loves Me will be loved by My Father.”

Baptism is one of the few commandments that the Lord left to His disciples after His resurrection: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

2. To fulfill “what is written”

The Lord Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist, who, when he saw Him approaching, said to Him: “I,” he said, “need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?”(Matt. 3:14). The reason for His baptism was to fulfill “all that must be fulfilled,” thereby demonstrating perfect humility.

If you have truly repented of your sins and believed in the cleansing power of His precious blood, you too will want to fulfill all that must be fulfilled, according to Scripture.

3. To publicly declare your decision to follow the Lord for the rest of your life

Baptism is the milestone that marks the beginning of life with the Lord. That is why, in the time of the apostles, those who believed were baptized on the very same day, without delay and without many “Bible studies” or “catechisms.” The one who seems to have delayed the longest was Paul, who was baptized four days after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. It is a public sign, performed before those in heaven and on earth, thus showing that “we have passed from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).

The second part of the Great Commission begins the moment the new disciple is baptized; from then on, he must be taught “to observe all that I have commanded you.” While baptism takes only a short time, being taught takes a lifetime.

III. Who Can Be Baptized?

1. Anyone who has heard the Gospel and obeyed the Lord

After His resurrection, the Lord Jesus spoke these words: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16). A few days after the Lord’s ascension into heaven, the apostle Peter told the people to repent “and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).

          It is easy to understand that the person being baptized must be of an age at which they can make their own decisions—an age at which they can experience genuine repentance and faith. Christian baptism is inconceivable for a child, since a child cannot understand the Gospel and, therefore, cannot fulfill the two conditions (repentance and faith in the Lord’s sacrifice).

        Second, there are many examples in the Bible of adults who were baptized: the 3,000 people on the Day of Pentecost, the Ethiopian eunuch, the Samaritans, Saul of Tarsus (Paul), the centurion Cornelius, Lydia, the jailer of Philippi, etc. It should also be noted that there is no mention of any child being baptized at a young age (as is erroneously practiced by many of the “official” churches).

2. The one who decided to renounce his old life and begin a new, eternal one

In the Acts of the Apostles, we are told of a stranger from Ethiopia (probably a man of color) who heard Philip’s explanation of the Gospel and then asked to be baptized: “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and preached Jesus to him. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?’ (Acts 8:35–36).

Without hesitation, this official from the court of Queen Candace did not shy away from making public his decision to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Surely his entire escort—his servants and soldiers—watched in amazement as their master entered the water and was “immersed” for a few moments, as a sign of his determination to serve God.

The person being baptized must completely renounce their old life of sin and begin a new life in Christ. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

IV. How is baptism performed?

1. By immersion

          The word used for “to baptize” in Greek (the language in which the New Testament was written) was “baptizo,” which literally means “to immerse.” This was also the main reason why John the Baptist performed baptisms at the Jordan River, where there were “plenty of waters.”

          As we have already learned, baptism means “dying” to one’s sinful past and “rising” to a new life, lived for the Lord (Rom. 6:3–5). Therefore, being immersed for a moment beneath the surface of the water symbolizes death, and rising from the water symbolizes resurrection together with the Lord Jesus (Col. 2:12).

2. In the Name of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

The Gospel of Matthew records that the Lord Jesus commanded that the disciples be baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Even though the Apostle Paul baptized John’s disciples in the Name of the Lord Jesus, they understood this to mean that the baptism was performed in the Name of the Trinity (Acts 19:1–7).

V. What happens after baptism?

1. “Clothed” with Christ

The Apostle Paul told the believers in Galatia that all of you “who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). The new convert who publicly declares his decision to follow the Lord enters into a new relationship of unity with his Lord, which Paul evocatively calls “putting on Jesus Christ.”

             Second, he becomes part of the Body of Christ, which is His Church, and from now on shares unity with the other Christians whom he calls “his brothers”: “For we were all, in fact, have been baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). “There is one body, one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Eph. 4:4–5).

In this new capacity, he may participate in all the gatherings of the Church, including the Lord’s Supper, which is reserved only for His disciples who live in holiness.

2. The Pursuit of Continual Sanctification

Baptism is only the beginning of walking with God, but Scripture says that “the end of a matter is more important than its beginning.” The fact that you have begun to walk the narrow path in no way guarantees that you will enter the gates of the heavenly city. Between these two points lies a “race” known as the Christian life. The first and most important characteristic of this new life is “holiness, without which no one will see God.” That is why God gives us grace and strength to advance in our sanctification, but the will to persevere to the end belongs solely to us. The apostles knew this well and advised the early Christians to persevere in their salvation to the very end.

3. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

         The Apostle Peter said that, after repentance and water baptism, we must wait in faith for the Father’s promise to be poured out upon us—namely, the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

The Book of Acts recounts the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who would later become the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1–20). Thus, Ananias spoke with him so that he might receive Christian baptism and be filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17–18). Likewise, after the apostle Paul baptized John’s disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus, they immediately received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the fact that they began to speak in other tongues and to prophesy (Acts 19:1–7).

          The next immediate step after water baptism is to seek the second baptism “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” This can take place on the day of water baptism or later, following a period of prayer, sanctification, and seeking Him. You must be sincere and ask your heavenly Father in faith to fill you with the Holy Spirit, just as a little child expects good gifts from his father: “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).

The Lord’s Supper

I. What Is the Lord’s Supper?

1. A remembrance of the Lord Jesus’ death

The Lord Jesus Himself expressed His desire to have supper with His disciples on the evening before His crucifixion: “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15). He then spoke to them symbolically about His death on the cross, which was to take place the next day, about His body that was to be sacrificed, and about His blood that was to be shed for the forgiveness of humanity’s sins: “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks to God, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is My blood, the blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matt. 26:26–28).

The Apostle Paul, who received this ordinance directly from the Lord (through divine revelation), also set forth in writing the purpose for which we are to observe it: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26).

Therefore, every time we gather for the “breaking of bread”—as the Lord’s Supper is called in the Book of Acts—our purpose is to remember that the Lord gave His holy body, broken for us, and shed His blood for us. , our purpose is to remember that the Lord gave His holy body, broken for us, and shed His precious blood in our place.

2. A gathering for the purpose of giving thanks for His sacrifice

The proper attitude we should have when we remember the Lord’s sacrifice made for us and in our place is one of deep gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving. Since only two things are mentioned at the Passover meal held with the disciples, it is good for us to do these as well. The first is the “song of praise”(Matt. 26:30), which the Lord and the disciples sang to God, and the second is the prayer of thanksgiving: “...On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. And after giving thanks to God, He broke it...” (1 Cor. 11:23–24). Since we have ample time to bring our petitions before Him in any of our other gatherings, it is fitting that at His Supper we offer Him only praise and thanksgiving, like the heavenly beings described in Revelation: “And they said with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise’” (Rev. 5:12).

You must come before Him not with eloquent words, but with a heart full of gratitude, which you pour out at His feet as “a drink offering.” The Lord’s Supper is a solemn occasion in which He Himself takes part; therefore, you must not hold back your tears of love when they come. To Him be all the glory!

3. Our Identification with Our Lord

Our communion with Him—with His body and blood—is easy to understand when He is your Lord, but for the Jews of His day it was an occasion to accuse Him of blasphemy: “When the Jews heard these words, they quarreled among themselves and said, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” (John 6:52). Yet for us, His disciples who follow Him every day, He is truly our spiritual food, not only at the breaking of bread, but always, continually: “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56).

4. An Expression of the Church’s Unity as a Body

The Lord’s Church, of which you are now a part, is made up of all His servants who minister to Him, united by the Holy Spirit among all the members of His Body. Just as the body cannot live without a head, so too the Church is not truly His assembly unless He dwells in its midst, in harmonious unity.

This unity must exist in the Lord’s assembly; otherwise, we would be guilty of rebellion against Him. Each of us must live in peace and harmony with the rest of our brothers and sisters, and this is symbolized when we gather to break bread: “Since there is one loaf, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” (1 Cor. 10:17).

5. A Time of Waiting for His Return

The Lord Jesus affirmed that there will be another Supper, but not on earth, rather in heaven; there will be another wine—a new wine of the joy of being in His presence, eternally united: “Take this cup and share it among yourselves, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes” (Luke 22:17–18).

This glorious hope of each of us must always be kept in mind, for our steps will not tread this earth forever. One blessed day, He will call us home to His table, and we will always remember Him, longing for His coming. Thus, the Lord’s Supper also possesses this blessed aspect: it is an act that will find its fulfillment in heaven. (1 Cor. 11:26).

II. Who may partake of the Lord’s Supper?

1. Those who have publicly made a covenant with the Lord

Far from establishing new laws or setting customs and traditions, the Church of the Lord has—and will continue to have until His coming—orders and disciplines that must be observed. Although most religious denominations and groups believe that the gathering for the Lord’s Supper must be public, this is not evident in Scripture. The Lord Jesus did not share His Supper with the crowds, nor even with the 70 disciples of the “extended” group, nor with all 12 apostles, but only with 11, for Judas had already betrayed Him. It was an intimate gathering, during which the Lord was able to reveal mysteries, such as the coming of the Holy Spirit and His return (John 14–16).

Likewise, at the Lord’s Supper, which His Church celebrates together with Him, only true disciples may participate—those who have made a covenant with Him through sacrifice and have publicly confessed Him through water baptism.

2. Those Who Live in Holiness and the Fear of the Lord

However, it is not enough merely to be a disciple; one must live in purity day by day in order to participate properly in this memorial gathering. The Apostle Paul points out that it is a very serious matter to eat the Lord’s Supper, and if you do not purify yourself, you condemn yourself. Here are the warning words of Scripture, which you must always keep in mind: “Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 11:27). “For whoever eats and drinks without discerning the Lord’s body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Cor. 11:29).

3. Those Who Love and Eagerly Await the Lord’s Coming

The Apostle Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, poses another probing question for us, one that you should also keep in mind as you approach the Lord’s Supper: “Since all these things are to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in holy and godly conduct, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God...? (2 Pet. 3:11–12). Every time you prepare to come to the Lord’s Supper, ask yourself these questions: What kind of person am I? Do I live a holy and godly life? Am I looking forward to and hastening the coming of the Lord?