Jesus was sentenced to die for a condemned man (Barabbas, who represents every man without God), Jesus called his death "his baptism", Paul states that, "as many who are baptized into Christ are baptized into His death." We are also likened to have risen with Him, a figurative picture portrayed in the coming forth out of the water in immersion baptism. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3,4 kjv)

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole." (Acts 4:10) "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23,24 kjv)

Baptism is an act of faith which has been performed  as a religious act  for a very long time and sacramentally as an even  longer time. It is in Baptism that the believer yields to the power of the cross. It is in Baptism that the believer determines that the old life with its sins and weaknesses have had their season and must now come to an end. It is in Baptism where Jesus reached the full release into his ministry and received the Holy Spirit in His greatest measure. It is in Baptism where the old nature is separated from the person and is killed. The demonic strongholds can not remain attached to the person who body is dead! Fleshly appetites are no longer a problem for the body who is dead. A dead man can no longer sin. If Baptism is explained instead of being a mere token of belief the believer will advance at an enormous rate leaving the old life and personal limitatins behind. The thief on the cross beside Jesus was Baptized in Jesus' death in the most literal sense and became the first man in the Kingdom of God.

Though we are not expected to die on a cross we are expected to know that it is a powerful force to initiate a Spiritual life in the Kingdom of God and that "by faith" we can demand all of its promise and potential. We come forth from the water, resurrected. We come forth from the water, in the power of the Christ life within. We come forth from the water, separated from the old nature with its lusts. We have symbolically put the old "me" to death. The Ethiopian eunuch who Phillip ministered to in Gaza was taught the essentials of Christ fulfilling all prophetic scripture and being the sacrafice for each sinner. Phillip also taught the essentials of Baptism to him. They found a place with water and Phillip baptized the man immediately and sent him on his way to Ethiopia in the power of the Spirit. This was the extent of his discipling but we can be assured that it was enough and fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was this man who carried the Gospel in power and simplicity to hundreds in his own land, who provided a tradition of apostolic Christianity which lasted hundreds of years.

Infants who have not yet reached the age of reason may be dedicated or blessed, in a special act of faith, but this is not Biblical baptism which is a dedicatory act of a believer. Baptism is to submerse in water to come up out of the water symbolizing the crucifixion of the old man and the the entry into a new resurrected life.
 

Paradox of Losing One's Life
"Whoever would lose his life for my sake will find it; whoever will save his own life will lose it." (Luke 9:24 and 17:23)
 

Jesus addresses the issue of two lives each one opposing the other. Within the mysteries of God numerous paradoxes are introduced one of these, is about a seed which needs to fall and die before it can bring forth any fruit (read John 12:24). Though the outer manifestation of the seed form disappears it is necessary to an end of its original identity before it can bring forth a crop or fruit. Decreasing to our own self interests is essential before God can use us. This is portrayed in the "pruning of the vine" in another parable.

Life and life more abundant are what Jesus promises his disciples. But this abundant spiritual life lies in an entirely different sort of configuration than that which worldly persons value or seek. As we grow spiritually, God causes us to feel alienated from the world, distinct and apart from it, owning different values and treasuring other kinds of treasures than the world treasures. We can not simple "will" to despise worldliness it is something which the Spirit begins to grow in us as a fruit of righteousness.

We eventually begin to hate both the ways of the world and its impact on our own lives (in its pettiness, shallowness and limitations).

In the beginning of our spiritual walk, that which some describe as spiritual infancy, we tend to migrate back to life as we had known it. We had a familiar lifestyle and a pattern of thinking, speaking and reacting to others. Our old nature included our habitual excesses, our reputations for good or evil, our self pride, our name, our looks, our offices, our talents, our careers and educations. These things do not impress God nor did they ever impress him. Until we regard them as "dung," as Paul stated in his letter to the Phillipians Chapter 3 and verse 8. We do not yet have a heavenly perspective. Our old vanities were forged in the semblance of this world and its vain idolatries and will pass as the fog in the morning."- if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3)

Jesus reminds us to not cling to this life nor any of its apparent treasures. Which are merely passing things, apparitions which soon vanish like the dew of morning. "Take up your cross daily and follow after me." (Take this cross as a reminder that you are already reckoned dead to yourself, crucified in the human nature and alive on a higher level, that of having been raised to new life, resurrected into the position of being seated with Christ in the seat of His transcendent authority.

The Only Good Christian is a Dead Christian
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Romans 6:5; "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." 6:6; "For he that is dead is freed from sin." 6:7; "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"6:8 "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." 6:9; "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:5-11)

"For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you." (1 Corinthians 13:4)

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Our bodies and our lives were once the property of Satan although you may personally have a higher view for your own present or past lifestyle than this, but nonetheless it is the scriptural viewpoint which we must adopt. A life without redemption through Jesus Christ was a life lived
in Satan's domain. He wants desperately to continue in it.
 

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," "Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies," "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21)
 
Walking in the Spirit
(Awareness and experiencing of God's Presence)

The reading of these proof passages describes the serious limitation of the human soul in its natural state. While it may be challenging or interesting, we need to have some insights on how we can overcome these limits. How does God instruct us to overcome these fleshly tendencies? By walking in the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is more than having knowledge about God or the Bible. It is even more than renewed attitudes and beliefs, it is walking in (a present-moment awareness)  of the life of God within us; to be aware that we are enshrouded and encompassed by Christ's life and Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is a state of Spiritual consciousness of actually partaking of the mind of God. There is a way of entering in to this state, through an act of faith of yielding and entering. Preparing the heart may take some attention, we must turn from many things which have us bound up; cares, fears, other voices inside have to be stilled; we give place to God, both through will and word. Walking in the Spirit means letting go of our own self-life, personality and all of life's lusts and idols.

One can not partake of this life with hatred or unforgiveness in your heart. One can not partake of this life with rage or jealousy in your heart. One can not partake of this life with unforgiveness or bitterness in your heart. We must unload all burdens, set aside all anger and filthiness of the flesh. Then we enter in, as follows.
Offloading the Burdens of our Lower Nature

The things we do and the things we think regulate spiritual life. David the psalmist king of Israel knew this and dealt with the whole issue saying, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto you O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."(Psalm 19:4)

The purity of our spiritual lives is based upon the meditation(s) of our hearts, those things which occupy our thought life when no one is around and no one else influences your behavior.

Jesus taught that it is in the heart where man's treasure lies. As we value and treasure things we give thought and meditation to these things. After thinking and meditating on the matters of greatest interest to us we are likely to respond with words and actions which will map our treasures.

Jesus spoke of good treasures and evil treasures and said that we speak as an overflow from the abundance of our hearts, thus bringing forth either good or evil. Evil meditations will ultimately bring forth corrupted worship. It is the thing which we worship most highly which occupies the meditation of our hearts.

An effort to Change our Worship - Meditation
In a spoken petition you might say something like this, "Jesus, you are my burden bearer, Jesus, I know you want to walk with me and carry my burden in your yoke. Even as you take my burden from me let me partake of your yoke of a higher life.""Relieve me of the burden of ---."(supply the name of the thing.)"I cast down my idol of ----." (supply the name of that thing.)

"Cleanse me, make me pure. Remember me TODAY in your kingdom. Give me your spirit now so that I become a child of God. Release me in the Spirit of worship and praise. Father, I thank you for receiving me into your presence. Saying these things with your mouth will activate your faith and God's response."Say it! And say it only if you mean it!
 

Allow this token of cleansing to do its work, It is part of the seed dying and the vessel being broken so it can give forth a new incense out of your life, an incense of praise unto GOD.

Introduction to Mysteries of God

Index to Bible Mysteries

The Rapture of Believers, Part 1

The bride and the Bridegroom typology and the rapture
 

Mystery of Accessing God

Mystery of the Body of Christ 

Mystery of the Cross, Crucified with Him

Mystery of Faith Believing God's Word

Mystery of Grace, God's Hand Stretched Forth
 

Mystery of Power and Divine Enablement

Mystery of Spoken Words of Covenant 
 

Mystery of Righteousness in the Beloved

Mystery of the Word -.Bible is a Living Force

Mystery of Spirit and Spirits