Question 167. How may we make good use of our baptism?

 

Question 167. How may we make good use of our baptism?

Answer. It is necessary, but has been neglected. The duty of good use of baptism is one that we are to discharge all our lives; especially in times of temptation, and when we are present at the baptism of others, by seriously and thankfully considering the nature of baptism, the end for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits granted and secured to us by it, and the solemn vows made in it; by being humbled by our sinful defilements, and by our failings or failures in the grace of baptism and our promises, and by growing in maturity to the assurance of the forgiveness of sins and all other blessings secured to us in that sacrament; by being strengthened by the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, to mortify sin, and quicken grace, and to desire to live by faith; and by being baptized to give our name to Christ, to desire to live in holiness and righteousness, and to walk in brotherly love, as those who have been baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

Baptism is similar to a wedding. A wedding is an external declaration of a couple becoming a couple and a legal recognition. Likewise, baptism is a joyful declaration to people that they have become God's people and a confirmation with the Holy Spirit's guarantee. Baptism is a way to always live with a grateful heart through these two things.

Ephesians 2:6 "And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Remember that the baptized saints are those who have been seated in heaven. The baptized saints have become God's people, and although God's people live with the people of the world, they are spiritually different beings. Their spiritual status changes. They become children of God under the rule of Satan.

In this way, the saints will receive numerous attacks from those who are not in Christ, that is, those who are under the control of Satan. However, they are to be comforted by the fact that they are children of God. The saints will experience many tribulations because they become God's people. The tribulations are tribulations that they receive while preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, when the saints experience tribulations, they will always search for Ho Logos in their hearts, and Ho Logos speaks.

2 Corinthians 1:4-5 “Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort also abounds through Christ.” When a believer becomes a child of God, the Holy Spirit protects and helps him.

Baptized believers are legally recognized and are guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. This means being born again by the Holy Spirit, a new temple is built in the soul, and Jesus Christ comes again into that temple. This is expressed in 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

『For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.』 This does not mean being caught up in the last days, but it expresses the dead spirits being raised up after receiving resurrection life and welcoming the Lord in their hearts.