by Adam John

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: May 01, 2009

Baptism is essential for any Christian; it is the outward expression of their dedication to God and their belief in, and love for, His son, Christ Jesus. A public symbolisation of their repentance and conversion; expressing that they have turned aside from their previously sinful life and are embarking on a Christ-like course. (Romans 10:10; Acts 3:19)

Jesus said that In order to go to Heaven, one must be born again with water and spirit (John 3:3-5). The latter part of this scripture suggests that more is needed in order to "enter into the kingdom of God." All dedicated and baptised Christians are born of water, but who is born of spirit?

The first human to ever receive a resurrection was Jesus Christ himself. This opened the way for future Christians to receive the same blessing (John 4:9-10; Acts 24:15). His was a heavenly resurrection and others too will share in this, however, the majority of righteous people will be resurrected to a life on earth (Revelation 14:1-3; Psalm 37:29).

The distinction between those receiving a heavenly resurrection and those receiving an earthly one is that those being resurrected to life in Heaven will have been born again by spirit. This was illustrated by Jesus' baptism by John the Baptiser in the Jordan River, in 29CE. Matthew 3:16, 17 reads: "After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon him. Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved" (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures).

Clearly, Jesus was here, not only baptised by water, but also with Holy Spirit. He promised others of a smaller flock would receive the same (Luke 12:32). We know that aside from the little flock who will receive the kingdom via baptism with Holy Spirit, a "great crowd" would be ruled by the kingdom arrangement (Revelation 7:9,10).

Some people will be entering heaven to rule alongside Christ, when the earth has been restored to its originally purposed paradise; and those people will surely know who they are as they would be baptised with Holy Spirit shortly after their baptism by water (Revelation 5:10). Therefore, baptism by water submersion is no guarantee to entering God's kingdom. It is, however, a symbol of dedication to God and stands one in line to receive the blessings of His kingdom, namely life on a paradise earth.

Learn more about this author, Adam John.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.