Baptism
Baptism
Baptism (Immersion) is a ceremonial ordinance of Holy origin, which enables a believer to publicly declare his or her faith in Jahoshuwah the Messijah (Messiah) by being momentarily submerged in water. It is an initiating service, which symbolizes 3 things:
 Spiritual cleansing
 The burial of the past wicked way of life
 And a resurrection to the new righteous way of life
Consequently Scriptural and True baptism is not for children or infants but rather for believers who are old enough to have repented of past sins and are thereafter desirous of crucifying the old man walking in newness of life by the power of their risen Master Jahoshuwah.
Take note that there is no record in the scriptures of children or infants being baptized. Who can repent of sins if they don't even know what sin is? Remember, Jah's Law defines what sin is, and what is good and evil in His eyes. Without the knowledge of His Law, we would not know the difference between right and wrong.
1 John 3: 4 - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Deut.13:18 - When thou shalt hearken to the voice of Jah thy Maker, to keep all His commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eye of Jah thy Maker.
According to the Saviour's instructions all new converts should be baptized. Therefore, those believers who discover that they have not been properly baptized (Immersed) ought to take earnest steps to correct this. It is important to understand that this is a covenant and it is very serious, therefore a diligent time of self-examination and a sober understanding of sin should be made in regards to the Truth of this Holy Ceremony.
It should be remembered here that though the immersion ceremony is purely symbolic, for there is no virtue in the water used, the service itself is nevertheless a very essential and dramatic declaration of faith in Jahshuwah the Saviour. For the truth is that the believer at this service not only declares his/her need for spiritual cleansing, but is also baptized into the Body of the Messijah, and not necessarily into any denomination or sect.
Indeed the new convert at his baptism “puts on The Messiah.” He/she becomes part of The Messijah; that is, part of His body, His true Assembly and the family of Jah, which is called ZION!
The baptism we are considering here is of course the ceremonial washing in water, otherwise called the BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE. At this baptism the baptizer is normally an elder, deacon or minister of the Assembly; and the medium is water. The real baptism, however, is the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
In that the baptizer is none other than the Messijah and the medium is not water but the Spirit of Jah. When baptized in the Holy Spirit the believer is not ceremonially cleansed by being immersed in water, but rather he/she is totally saturated and submerged by the Saviour in the Spirit of the living Jah.
He/she is, consequently, cleansed through and through to a degree of purity and power that extends well beyond our ability to properly describe. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the subject of another article.
Points to remember:
 It is the express command of Jahoshuwah The Messiah that every believer of the gospel be baptized. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:37-38)
 And to set us a perfect example He was Immersed Himself in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9-10, Matthew 3:13-17)
 Baptism is vital to salvation. (Mark 16:16)
 The main prerequisite for baptism is faith in Jahoshuwah. (Acts 8:35-37)
 The leaders of the early Assembly obeyed the Master's command in Matthew 28:19-20 by baptizing all new converts. (Acts 2:41, Acts 16:33)
 Baptism by immersion was obviously the method they used. Not any sprinkling or pouring. They were submerged in water (Acts 8:38-39, John 3:23)
 Water baptism is a type of burial of the old man and a rising again to walk in newness of life. It points to the real Spiritual baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:3-5, 1 Peter 3:20-21)
Romans 6:3-6 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jahoshuwah the Messijah were baptized into his death? 4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as the Messijah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Abbah (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 crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
 At his/her baptism the believer in Jahshuwah becomes a member of the family, Assembly, and congregation of Jah. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
 At baptism the believer “ puts on The Messiah” and becomes a child of Abraham - a true Jahzraelite. (Galatians 3:27-29)
 Believers in Jahshuwah the Messiah should not needlessly delay being baptized in water (immersed) although counting the costs of this covenant must be utilized. (Acts 22:16).
 Infants and children are not to be baptized. The Messiah our example was Baptized when He was a grown man (30 years old). He was not Baptized when He was an infant.
One Love
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
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