WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO BAPTIZE? — JOHN 1:24-25
Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked [John the Baptizer], "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" — John 1:24-25 NLT
What right do you have to do what you do? That's a good question, especially for those of us who are blessed with freedom. We take for granted our right to do what we do. Behind this question, however, stands a powerful truth: The only things we have the right to do are the things God in his grace has granted us the right to do. John the Baptizer did what he did because God had called him to the task. John had the opportunities he had because God opened the doors for them. John had the effective ministry he had because he did what God wanted him to do. John's right to baptize, preach, teach, and prepare the way was given him by God. More than just the right to do these things, he had the authority of God to do them. God has great plans for us also. He calls us to his purposes. He has given us the right as his children to bring light to this dark world. Let's use our God-given rights to our Father's glory!
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me the right to be your child. Inspire me to bold and courageous living for the sake of the Kingdom and the cause of the Good News of Jesus. Please give me a heart as fearless and true as your great servant John the Baptizer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 1:12
1 Peter 2:9-10
Psalm 139:16
Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked [John the Baptizer], "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" — John 1:24-25 NLT
What right do you have to do what you do? That's a good question, especially for those of us who are blessed with freedom. We take for granted our right to do what we do. Behind this question, however, stands a powerful truth: The only things we have the right to do are the things God in his grace has granted us the right to do. John the Baptizer did what he did because God had called him to the task. John had the opportunities he had because God opened the doors for them. John had the effective ministry he had because he did what God wanted him to do. John's right to baptize, preach, teach, and prepare the way was given him by God. More than just the right to do these things, he had the authority of God to do them. God has great plans for us also. He calls us to his purposes. He has given us the right as his children to bring light to this dark world. Let's use our God-given rights to our Father's glory!
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me the right to be your child. Inspire me to bold and courageous living for the sake of the Kingdom and the cause of the Good News of Jesus. Please give me a heart as fearless and true as your great servant John the Baptizer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 1:12
1 Peter 2:9-10
Psalm 139:16
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Unfortunately, there are churches that reject GOD's Truth by replacing John the Baptiser's baptism by immersion in water with the false baptism by sprinkling.
The pastors in such churches claim that sprinkling with water is symbolic only because what matters is a transformed life.
A person cannot be transformed from unless he (or she) is born again of the water and the Holy Spirit.
Without the power from the Holy Spirit, we cannot be born again in the heat to live a new life as a new creature in Christ Jesus.
So, we must remind the Christians that there is only one Lord, one faith and one baptism. (comes from Ephesians 4:5).
Please warn the pastors that baptism by immersion in water is an important event for the Christians that cannot be taken likely.
A Christian can baptise another Christian.
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