CLEAN IN CHRIST
CLEAN IN CHRIST
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. —Job 14:4
As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” The eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. —Acts 8:36-38
Only God can make a man clean, whiter than snow— “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). No man can do this for another— “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay… But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.” (Psalm 49:7-8, 15). What man cannot do, God can do— “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (I Peter 1:18-19). “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Yes, it is only God who can take “one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and make the person and actions clean.
This is what the Ethiopian official experience when Philip told him the good news about Jesus. After he believed he wanted to be baptized as a testimony of this belief— “As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” The eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” Then this official went on his way rejoicing. Rejoicing because he was made clean through the precious blood of Christ and was in relationship now with his Father through Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:13;4:30). His baptism is water was a testimony to this.
Baptism is the first step of the new believer. We are told to make disciples, to baptize them and to teach them to obey and Jesus said His authority to us would be present with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). So have you been obedient and followed Jesus in baptism to bear witness of what He has done in your life? What is the prerequisite for baptism? It is… “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” And what is it that you are to believe? “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Then you are to be baptized. Have you been baptized since you believed? If not, why not? If not then you are not being obedient to Jesus’ command to be baptized. If you have not been baptized may you be obedient and do so, showing forth the great an awesome truth that Jesus has made you clean by His finished work at the cross and through His resurrection and that He is coming back!
Dear Father thank You for making me clean through the precious blood of Jesus. Out of gratitude may I live faithfully for You in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S1ivtB2Pxk