Joshua - Salvationنموونە

When God used Moses to free Israel from Egypt, their first step was a type of baptism through the Red Sea. When God used Joshua to bring Israel into the promised land, their first step was a type of baptism through the Jordan. When Jesus officially began His ministry, He too was baptized in the Jordan.

Baptism may be a new concept for you, but for many Jesus followers, it is their first act of obedience. 

Baptism is not salvation. The word baptism carries the idea of fully submerging a piece of cloth into a dye to change its color. It is a type of identification. When Jesus was baptized, He identified with you and your humanity, and God identified Him as His beloved Son. When you are baptized, you publicly identify yourself with Jesus’ death and resurrection. You testify that God released you from the chains of sin, and placed the righteousness of Christ on you.

God saves His people from something and He saves them to something. This is an important concept:  

God redeems His warriors from sin’s stronghold and frees them to rest in Jesus’ righteousness.  

When John baptized people with water, it was for the remission of sin - those he baptized got dirty and needed to be baptized again. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is permanent. If Jesus only freed us from the stronghold of slavery, we would wander back into the chains of sin again. Jesus also frees us to rest in His righteousness and spiritual blessings. In the same way, God not only drew Israel out of Egypt, but He delivered them to the Promised Land.    

Challenge:

• Memorize Exodus 15:2
•  Why have or haven’t you publicly Identified with Jesus through Baptism?