Baptized by h ater and The Spirit Jesus said. "Except a man be bom of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. Christ referred to water baptism and to the renew ing of the heart by the SpiritofGod, \nlh\s Search for Truth lesson Elder Joseph Bullard explains how baptism by water and by the Spirit is far more than just a ceremony. It has to do with the heart; the fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. The true Christian life is not a modification or Improvement of the old but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in a yielded life. Baptism by water and by the Spirit is far more than Just a form. John 3:5: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, 1 say unto thee. Except a man be bom of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." As the Holy Spirit brings conviction to a man's heart, he repents of his sins and he longs to be pure. He will then want to be baptized as Jesus was. Matthew 28:19,20: "Goye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (2) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway. even unto the end of the world. Amen." Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of His guilt, but as our example. Matthew 3:13-17: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (14) But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15) And Jesus answering said unto him. Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (16) And Jesus, when he was baptized. went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Faltli is essential- faith in Jesus Christ to save. Mark 16:15-16: "And he said unto them. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." The conviction of the Holy Spirit brings repentance- a genuine sorrow/or sin and a turning from slnand a longing for that divine association. Acts 2:38, 41: "Then Peier said unto them, Repent, and be ye baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." There Is only one way to be baptized and that is my Immersion. Acts 8:26-38: "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying. Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (27) And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen ofthe Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem forto worship, (28) Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. (29) Then the Spirit said unto Philip. Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (30) And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias. and said. Understandest thou what thou readest? (31) And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (32) The place of the scripture which he read was this. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a iamb dumo before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth; (33) In his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. (34) And the eunuch answered Philip, and said. I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of Himself, or of some other man? (35) Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (36) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said. See. here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said,. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." As the crucified body of his Lord was buried in the tomb, so in the rite of immersion the believer Is buried in the watery grace. Romans 6:3,4: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should d walk in newness of life. Baptism should not be delayed. Acts 16:25-33: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (3) And they said. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." // you have not been baptized, may God bless you and help you to make your decision now to be bap-, ' tiled as soon as possible. A cts 22:16: ' "And now why tamest thou? 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