Fulfill all Righteousness
When Jesus went to Jordan to be baptized, John was hestitant. But Jesus convinced him of the necessity and he complied.
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. (NASB) Matthew 3:13-15
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (NASB) Romans 6:3-4
It is our mandated obligation to make disciples all over the world through sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and baptizing them that believe.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . . Matthew 28:19 (NASB
In my few years of ministry, by the grace of God, I have not only led people to Christ but also had the opportunity to baptize them. I recently preached about Phillip and how He witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch. When the Ethiopian saw a pool of water, He requested to be baptized. Phillip baptized him, and He was filled with great joy. Acts 8: 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.
There is so much joy that comes from fulfilling all righteousness. I remember when I was baptized with nostalgia. I had faithfully attended discipleship classes for two years. Every time there was baptism, I was told I was too young to be baptized. In that span of two years, the church had conducted eight baptisms. These occurred after three months of vigorous discipleship classes. I attended each session with the hope that, eventually, I will be allowed to partake that essential practice in my new found faith. By the way, this happened when I was between the age of 9-10 years. By the time I turned 11years, the pastor in charge had made me a promise, ” If your parents consent to your baptism, we will not hold you off again, I promise.”
Ooh, the joy that filled my tender heart was unspeakable. I decided to fast and pray before asking my parents to consent. I wanted to be baptized so strongly with every fiber within. I skipped lunch for a whole week and attended lunch hour services to pray, precisely that God will soften my Mum and Dad’s hearts. I look back and am encouraged by how God answered those prayers. Every answered prayer increased my faith and passion for God. On Sunday after the discipleship classes, I made my request, and to my surprise, they agreed. My parents’ response was, ” if the pastors agree to baptize you this year, we have no objection.” I could not wait for Sunday to share my good news with the pastor, so the next day after school, I attended the evening service with the sole purpose of informing Him to write my name on the list.
Months went by, and eventually, the D day was here. My brother Patrick teased me a lot the previous night. The baptism was to happen in the Chania River in Thika. He talked of how if I harbored any sins, the hippos and crocodiles would feast on me. The fear and panic caused me to spend the night on my knees in prayers. I repented every known, and unknown sins sanctified myself by the blood of Jesus and surrendered fully to the will of God. In the morning, I was relaxed and calm as we headed to the river.
My turn came, and I confidently walked into the water, a big smile plastered my face, I was ready to partake in this essential practice in my faith. Something supernatural happened, I tend to attribute it to either the coldness of the water or the divine favor of God. I remember going into the water, and my eyes opened, and I witnessed a magnificent sighting. I saw angels dressed in white apparel and carrying silver, gold, and bronze packages. One by one they gave me the gifts, I counted nine gifts all wrapped, but I came to before I unwrapped any of them. When I came to, I was speaking in tongues, and my mum was helping me change in the changing tent. I tried speaking in ordinary language, but I could not stop myself. When she saw the concern written on my face, she held me and prayed with me in tongues, too, explaining to me that I have not only been baptized with water but with the holy spirit also.
Years later, As I serve the Lord it gives me so much joy to see new believers make that decision. Like that Ethiopian Eunuch as long as there is water nothing should hinder one from being baptized. We have held baptism in pools, streams, rivers and lakes.
As I write this my purpose is to ignite someone’s first love . The passion, the zeal, and the due dilligence we had when we first believed. The desire to follow and fulfill the precepts, the teachings and the statues of the kingdom. May that first love be reactivated in your life in Jesus name.
Reflections
PastorLucyPaynter
