We learn from this quotation that people should not rush into baptism before they are ready. The men and women of Samaria were not baptised until "they believed...the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ". Deciding to be baptised is the most important decision of a lifetime. It is not a decision to make lightly. Before baptism, it is necessary to understand, and believe, the true teaching of the Bible. After baptism, it is necessary to fight against temptation and try to obey God's commandments always. Without these things belief of true Bible teaching first, and – obedience to God afterwards baptism is worthless. – Children of God We are born the children of Adam. But when we are baptised we are taken into the family of God, and we become the children of God. Every man and woman is a child of Adam, and the Bible speaks of them as being "in Adam". When we are baptised, we "put on Christ", and are spoken of as being "in Christ". Paul tells us in Galatians, chapter 3, verses 26-27, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ." We have a new hope of life, for we read in 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 22, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Christ our Mediator We make a fresh start at our baptism. But we cannot live without sinning. What happens if we sin, after we are baptised? Because we are "in Christ", we have Jesus Christ to be our mediator, and to pray to God for us and, if we are really sorry we have sinned, we – may be sure that God will hear Him, and forgive us our sins for His sake. The apostle John writes, "If any man sin, we have an advocate [or, a mediator] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John, chapter 2, verse 1). Summary God has commanded us to be baptised.
We learn from this quotation that people should not rush into baptism before they are ready. The men and women of Samaria were not baptised until "they believed...the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ". Deciding to be baptised is the most important decision of a lifetime. It is not a decision to make lightly. Before baptism, it is necessary to understand, and believe, the true teaching of the Bible. After baptism, it is necessary to fight against temptation and try to obey God's commandments always. Without these things – belief of true Bible teaching first, and obedience to God afterwards – baptism is worthless. Children of God We are born the children of Adam. But when we are baptised we are taken into the family of God, and we become the children of God. Every man and woman is a child of Adam, and the Bible speaks of them as being "in Adam". When we are baptised, we "put on Christ", and are spoken of as being "in Christ". Paul tells us in Galatians, chapter 3, verses 26-27, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ." We have a new hope of life, for we read in 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 22, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Christ our Mediator We make a fresh start at our baptism. But we cannot live without sinning. What happens if we sin, after we are baptised? Because we are "in Christ", we have Jesus Christ to be our mediator, and to pray to God for us – and, if we are really sorry we have sinned, we may be sure that God will hear Him, and forgive us our sins for His sake. The apostle John writes, "If any man sin, we have an advocate [or, a mediator] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John, chapter 2, verse 1). Summary God has commanded us to be baptised.
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