Marie’s daily verse: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. PHILIPPIANS 4:5

DAILY DEVOTION, May 7, 2023

So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).

Paul says a lot in a few words. First, he says we become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This takes place through “baptism.” We are baptized into Christ and become clothed with Christ. The word “baptism” is used in two ways in Scripture. Water baptism was practiced first by John the Baptist and subsequently by pastors. Water baptism is of lesser importance than Spirit baptism performed by Jesus. John the Baptist says in Matthew 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Water baptism does not clothe you with Christ. The Holy Spirit does that in the baptism performed by Jesus. We are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is the outward act symbolizing the inward act performed by Jesus. Whenever we see the word “baptism,” we must ask ourselves, “Is the reference to water baptism or Spirit baptism?” When we repent, we are baptized in water. To be clothed with Christ requires the Holy Spirit. Both baptisms are important. More on this verse tomorrow.

Father, I thank You that when I came to faith, I was baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus real in my soul, the greatest of all blessings. Thank You, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 wc