Relevance and Reasons of Baptism to Christians today

List of Contents

• Relevance of Baptism to Christians Today

• The Temptation of Jesus - Luke 4:1-13

• Relevance of Jesus’ Temptations to Christians Today'

• Lessons Christians Learn From the Temptations of Jesus

• Reasons Why Christians Undergo Baptism Today

• Give Five Reasons Why Jesus Was Baptized

Relevance of Baptism to Christians Today

1. Though baptism one becomes a member of the church of Christ/body of Christ.
2. Through baptism, one receives the Holy Spirit who acts as a counselor and guides the new convert into spiritual life.
3. Baptism marks the death of the old self and the beginning of new life in Christ (death and            resurrection of Jesus).
4. Jesus was baptized and Christians should emulate him an identify with him.
5. One becomes a child of God.
6. A Christian achieves complete forgiveness of sins because water is symbolic of      cleansing/purifying.
7. Prepares Christians for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
8. Baptism is an example of the modern religious covenant between the Christian and God.
9. Baptism is a symbol of forgiveness.

The Temptation of Jesus - Luke 4:1-13

1. Jesus was led to the wilderness where He stayed for forty days.
2. He ate nothing and therefore felt hungry.
3. The devil asked Him to command a stone to become bread if He was theson of God.
4. Jesus told him that man can not live by bread alone.
5. The devil took Jesus up and showed Him the Kingdoms of the world and asked Him to worship Him, so that he could give Him everything.
6. Jesus told the devil that only God is to be worshipped/ served.
7. The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and asked him to throw Himself down for God would command angels to command him.
8. Jesus told the devil that one should not tempt God.

Relevance of Jesus’ Temptations to Christians Today'

1. Since Jesus was tempted, He fully understands your difficulties when we are tempted and is ready to help us.
2. God does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength.  When we face temptations He provides us with a way out.
3. Since Jesus was tempted, His followers should expect to be tested in their loyalty to Him. 1st Corinthians 10:13.
4. Through temptations and trials, our faith to God is strengthened.  1st Peter 1:7
5. When we are tempted, we should turn to the Bible for guidance; Jesus quoted the scripture.  It is important for Christians to know God’s word.
6. We should seek the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to conquer the devil.
7. It is normal for the followers of Christ to be tempted.
8. When faced with difficult times, refer to the scripture, pray and fast so as to get strength and guidance from God.
9. We should be carefully not to engage in different forms of adultery and only worship the one true God.
10. We should not allow material possessions to lead us to sin.
11. Christians should have total faith in and fully depend on God and not test Him e.g. when making personal requests.
12. Christians learn that power and authority cannot lead one to the kingdom of God.  They   should not worship anyone else except God.

Lessons Christians Learn From the Temptations of Jesus

1. They should be knowledgeable in scriptures/ biblical verses.
2. They should resist the devil.
3. They should have faith in God/ no temptation beyond their limit.
4. They should worship God alone.
5. They should not put God to test.
6. They should desire to have the Holy Spirit.
7. They should not misuse the power of the Holy Spirit.
8. They should be content with what they have.

Reasons Why Christians Undergo Baptism Today

1. Baptism enables them to become children of God.
2. It enables one to become a member of a Christian community/Christian denomination.
3. It enables them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. It enables them to identify themselves with Christ/all that he stands for.
5. It symbolises that one has died and resurrected with Christ , leaving the old sinful nature/acquisition of a new life in Jesus. , .
6. Through baptism, one receives complete forgiveness of sins.
7. It prepares Christians for the kingdom of God.
8. It unites Christians as members of the body of Christ which is the Church.
9. It symbolises obedience to Jesus’ teaching.
10. It acts as an outward sign of their inner faith as it is done publicly.
11. It is a sign of a new covenant with God.

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Question & Answer Session

Give Five Reasons Why Jesus Was Baptized

​​Give seven reason why Jesus accepted to be baptized yet he had no sins

1. To identify himself with sinners
2. To be identified by John
3. To be introduced to the crowd as the messiah
4. To fulfill all righteousness
5. It symbolized his death  and resurrection
6. To show that he was ready to start his  work
7. To acknowledge the work  of John the Baptist as his forerunner

Related Questions on the Infancy and Early life Jesus

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previously: PROBLEMS FACED BY NEW CONVERTS IN THE CHURCH TODAY