Water Baptism's Older Brother

1 Peter 3:13-4:2

 

"And who is he who will harm you if you BECOME followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. 'And do not be afraid of their threats, nor let your hearts be troubled'. But SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS, and always be ready to give a defense for everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good rather than doing evil."

 

 

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, BEING PUT TO DEATH IN THE FLESH BUT MADE ALIVE BY THE SPIRIT, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is , eight souls, were saved through water. THERE IS NOW AN ANTITYPE THAT NOW SAVES US- BAPTISM (not the removal of the filth of the flesh but THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him."

 

 

"THEREFORE, SINCE CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US IN THE FLESH, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO WITH THE SAME MIND, FOR HE WHO HAS SUFFERED IN THE FLESH (abiding with a good conscience toward God) has CEASED FROM SIN, so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men BUT FOR THE WILL OF GOD."

 

 

This portion of scripture is not discussing water baptism nor the Holy Spirit baptism but the baptism of fire.

 

 

"John (the Baptist) answered, saying to all, "I will indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  (Luke 3:16).  It is the place of difficulty (suffering) where the answer of a good conscience toward God is formed; where we continue to become partakers of what is good; where we press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

 

The good news is that you are not out there alone in this, in fact He sets the race before us. We must be wise enough to hear His inspiration and do it: whether by the unction of the Holy Spirit, receive His laborers by the Holy Spirit or in the purity of His word by the Holy Spirit. He uses these to direct and correct us.

 

 

Jesus said to Paul,  "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (your devoted life to Him).  Therefore, most gladly, I (Paul) will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:9,10)