Daily Devotional in Matthew 3
Daily Nugget:
There have been and is much unbiblical teaching and practices regarding baptism. Some sprinkle babies with water and call it “baptism.” Some believe baptism, however it is done, washes away sin. Others’ practice includes getting baptized after each time one sins, and others even get baptized for other people.
The scripture in Matthew 3, if followed, should dispel many of those false teachings. Here is what this chapter reveals about baptism:
If you are saved, you need to be baptized, if you have not already done so. The practices does not make one “more saved.” It is, however, one of the first steps of obedience a believer should make.
Today’s Thought:
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
Words to Understand:
Raiment: Eloquent clothing
Repent: burdened about committed sin and having the intent to not do it again
Unquenchable: unable to extinguish
Today’s Reading:
Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad 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 fulfil 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.
There have been and is much unbiblical teaching and practices regarding baptism. Some sprinkle babies with water and call it “baptism.” Some believe baptism, however it is done, washes away sin. Others’ practice includes getting baptized after each time one sins, and others even get baptized for other people.
The scripture in Matthew 3, if followed, should dispel many of those false teachings. Here is what this chapter reveals about baptism:
- Even Jesus humbled Himself to be baptized. Many get saved but are too proud or embarrassed to stand before others and be baptized. If Jesus got baptized, surely we should, if we are saved.
- Jesus was baptized. He was without sin, so the baptismal waters could not possibly wash away sins. If it were true that they did wash away sins, we would be cleansed from sin every time we went into the river or were drenched by rains. The waters are not “magical.” It is only a step of obedience for a believer, and a picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection!
- Another observation that baptism does not wash away sin is that the others baptized by John in the Jordan confessed their sins (Mat. 3:6) first. Jesus had no transgressions to confess, so he skipped that step. We are sinners, however. When we admit we have committed iniquities and believe He died and rose again, we can call on Jesus’ shed blood to be payment for all our sins. After being saved, one of the next steps for a believer should be baptism.
- Verse 16 lets us know that after Jesus was baptized, he came “out of the water.” That means He was led into the Jordan waters and immersed, not sprinkled with water as some practice. All references in the Bible regarding baptism speak of immersion in water. Sprinkling is never indicated.
- After Jesus was baptized, we see that God was well pleased with His obedience to be baptized. God is also pleased when we get baptized. Our baptism pictures what Jesus did for us (Col. 2:12, Rom. 6:2-6).
If you are saved, you need to be baptized, if you have not already done so. The practices does not make one “more saved.” It is, however, one of the first steps of obedience a believer should make.
Today’s Thought:
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
Words to Understand:
Raiment: Eloquent clothing
Repent: burdened about committed sin and having the intent to not do it again
Unquenchable: unable to extinguish
Today’s Reading:
Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad 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 fulfil 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.
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