Published: 18/05/2020
A Sincere Request:
Assuming you have read my previous articles titled "Baptism: Beyond the Ritual" and "Significance of the Baptism of Water", if not, please read them before proceeding.
Three Most Significant Events Following Jesus' Baptism:
Immediately after Jesus' Baptism of Water, three extraordinary and unprecedented events occurred. Can you identify these three events and understand their significance? Let's explore these transformative moments as recorded in Scripture.
Matthew 3:16-17 describes:
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'
Listing Extraordinary and Unprecedented Events:
1. Heaven opened - The Heavenly Father opened the heavens.
2. Descending of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit descended and rested upon Jesus.
3. Heavenly Announcement - "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Disclosing Mystery of the Three Divine Events:
The occurrence of these three events immediately after Jesus' ‘Baptism of Water’ confirms the 'Baptism of Fire & Holy Spirit'. Let's explore this further:
1. Heaven opened - The Heavenly Father opened the heavens. This raises the following questions:
Was heaven previously closed to Jesus?
Isn't Jesus the only-begotten Son of God?
Doesn't Scripture say heaven's doors are closed to sinners?
Was Jesus a sinner? Didn't angel Gabriel declare Jesus holy at the announcement of His birth?
Didn't Jesus surrender completely to truth?
Heaven Remain Open for Jesus: Scripture reveals Jesus' holiness from birth. He lived in this world, adhering to the Father's commands and love. Jesus fully surrendered to truth, protecting Himself from evil and thwarting Satan's attempts. As the cornerstone, He substantiated Himself as the only begotten Son of the Almighty Lord, living a sacred life aligned with the heavenly Father's unique, invisible spiritual community.
Church on Earth Vs. Heaven: The Church on earth should reflect the Father's spiritual community, comprising humble and godly members. Transcending this world, the true Church is in Heaven where saints and angles are unceasingly glorifying Lord God. Therefore, Jesus' sacred life on earth was, in essence, a dwelling in Heaven, united with the Father within His unique, invisible spiritual community.
Mystery of Heven Opening: As we discuss Jesus' life, it's clear He dwelled in heaven while living in the world.
Then, what's the significance of heaven opening immediately after His ‘Baptism of Water’?
What sacred secret lies behind heaven's opening?
For whom did heaven open?
First Revelation: To clarify these questions, Jesus chose the 'Baptism of Water'. Through His baptism, He revealed that heaven's gates are closed to humanity due to ancestral sins, as heaven is a sacred sanctuary with no room for impurity. Jesus' baptism demonstrated the Almighty Father's gracious gesture: opening heaven to those who undergo the 'Baptism of Water'. This baptism ritual showcases the Father's patient presence, awaiting its completion. This highlights the Father's greatness, unconditional love, and desire for humanity's holiness. He graciously awaits the culmination of the 'Baptism of Water' to initiate the transformative 'Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit'. This sacred event holds profound significance.
2. The Descent of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and rested. This event raises valid questions:
- Did the Holy Spirit descend for Jesus?
- Did Jesus lack the Holy Spirit?
- As the Spirit of truth, how did Jesus surrender His life to truth without the Holy Spirit?
- Since God is Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), Jesus, the begotten Son, remained united with the Father and Holy Spirit in God's unique, invisible sacred community during His earthly stay. So, what is the sacred secret behind the Holy Spirit's descent and resting upon Jesus?
- What is the divine mystery behind this event?
- For whom did the Holy Spirit descend?"
Second Revelation: At this point, it's clear that the Holy Spirit's descent upon Jesus, who already dwelled with the Holy Spirit, revealed a divine secret. Jesus' 'Baptism of Water' reveals another secret: anyone undergoing baptism ritual experiences the Almighty Father opening heaven's gates, descending the Holy Spirit to make them holy in His image. This purifies them by washing away ancestral sins, restoring holiness from conception in their mother's womb.
Baptism provides divine light, as the Holy Spirit is the world's light (John 12:46): 'I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.' Through baptism, the Holy Spirit imparts this light to human souls.
- Thus, anyone undergoing the baptism ritual is brought from darkness to divine light, liberated from ancestral sins. This transformation is the Holy Spirit's task.
- The second sacred event, the 'Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit', reveals the Holy Spirit's presence, awaiting the completion of 'Baptism of Water' to fulfil the 'Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit' for them
3. Heavenly Announcement - 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' This raises following valid question:
- Was this call from the heavenly Father for Jesus?
- If so, why?
- If not, why?
Jesus, Begotten Son of God: Recalling Gabriel's message to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God.
So, what prompted the Almighty Father to announce, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'?
Jesus Remain a Beloved Son: Since the Father and Son dwell together, and the Son never displeased the Father, Jesus remains His beloved Son.
Then, why such an announcement from the Father?
Third Revelation: Indeed, Jesus, through His 'Baptism of Water,' reveals a third, profound divine significance: that whoever undergoes the 'Baptism of Water,' the Heavenly Father opens the gates of heaven for them, sends the Holy Spirit to purify and dwell within them, and thus their eternal journey to heaven begins. Jesus, being present, takes their hand and guides them on the path of truth to complete their heavenly journey, as He declares, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6)
Jesus Helps Us Walk Though: Jesus not only speaks the truth but also embodies it. As He declared Himself the way, truth, and life, He guides participants by holding their hand, helping them walk the path of truth to attain eternal life. This confirms the divine reality that we are mere pilgrims in this mortal world, with Jesus holding our hand throughout our journey. Unfortunately, we often let go of His hand, surrendering to fleeting desires.
The Conclusion of the Three Divine Events:
These three events are so significant that Jesus Christ shows through ‘Baptism of Water’ that for those who undergo Baptism, the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ Himself are all present. And these three (Trinity) wait for the completion of Baptism to impart their purity to the baptized person through the ‘Baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire’, adopting them as His beloved children and integrating them into the Trinity. Thus, the ‘Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit’ is accomplished for the one baptized, and they become one with the Triune God, a member of God's ‘Unique and Invisible Sacred Community’, the invisible Church. Through continuous repentance (fasting and prayer), they remain steadfast throughout life and attain eternal salvation. The salvation received through Baptism must be preserved until the end of life. As Jesus Himself prayed:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
In Conclusion:
• The 'Baptism of Water' is a divine sacrament that paves the way for the 'Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit'.
• Whoever receives the 'Baptism of Water' also experiences the 'Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit'.
• Heaven remains inaccessible to those who have not received the 'Baptism of Water', as it is the sacrament liberating human souls from ancestral sins.
• Through Baptism of Water, one becomes a member of God's unique, invisible, and sacred Church, united with the Triune God, in this world.
• The sacrament of Baptism of Water should be administered only by those who, like John the Baptist, remain united with the Triune God through continuous repentance, prayer, and fasting, striving to maintain unity within God's unique, invisible, and sacred Church. Therefore, It is inappropriate for someone who is not inwardly holy and pure to facilitate or administer the sacred ritual of ‘Baptism of Water’.
• Immediately after birth, it is advisable to receive the 'Baptism of Water' to be freed from the stains of ancestral sins. Note that the time of death is uncertain, and may arrive unexpectedly. For a soul tainted by ancestral sins, entering heaven is difficult, if death occurs in a state of sin.
• Since minors are unaware of sin, apart from them, whoever receives the 'Baptism of Water' must first repent of their sins through prayer and fasting ('Baptism of Repentance'). It is fitting to continue this repentance after 'Baptism of Water' to uphold inner holiness and purity.
• The sacred rite of 'Baptism of Water' purifies the human soul, not the physical body as the scripture reminds - "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God." (Peter 3:21 ) Therefore, whether embodied or disembodied, including those who have passed through miscarriage, abortion, or died in the womb, all souls are entitled to receive 'Baptism of Water' to liberate them from ancestral sins.
• Those who have passed away with discernment between good and evil, yet without receiving the ‘Baptism of Water’, must undergo genuine repentance for their lifetime's misdeeds. Repentance is the language of the soul, as Psalm 51:6 attests: 'You are pleased with a true heart.' Souls created for God's glory can glorify Him only when they are pure and holy. Therefore, they must be led to repentance, purified, and made holy to unite with God's ‘Unique and invisible sacred community’ (Trinity) through the ‘Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit’.
• There should be no unnecessary controversy regarding baptism by immersion in water or sprinkling water on the forehead, as seen among stone-built churches with differing opinions. In a desert, isn't even a single drop of water or, in extreme cases, a drop of saliva sufficient for baptism? Remember, God is pleased with the sincerity of the heart. Water's significance depends on its availability. It's not for washing the body but for purifying the soul, which occurs through Baptism of Water followed by Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit, facilitated by the Triune God Himself. Baptism of Water initiates the process for Baptism of Fire and Holy Spirit.
• Whenever invited to witness a Baptism of Water, one must self-reflect and ensure their own purity and worthiness to participate in this sacred and holy ritual, as the Triune God is fully present in this sacrament.
• Once one has received Baptism of Water, there is no need for rebaptism, as Jesus said, 'The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you' (John 13:10). However, cleaning feet symbolizes 'Baptism of Repentance' post-'Baptism of Water', emphasizing continuous repentance and purification to remain worthy of God's presence, fully surrendering to the truth, and ensuring one's entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven.
• No one can earn salvation, ticket to Heaven, for another. Righteousness cannot be inherited, borrowed, or distributed as charity or loan. Each individual, regardless of worldly position or power, must continually strive with enthusiasm to gain entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven. God won't grant salvation (a ticket to heaven) based on earthly status or spiritual credentials. Scripture says it's nearly impossible for the wealthy to enter Heaven (Matthew 19:23-24), whereas it's easier for the humble and poor, who possess childlike humility and simplicity (Matthew 18:3-4).
• Faithful servants of God, who proclaim repentance and baptism like John the Baptist, should not be disregarded. However, no devotee can force someone into Heaven, as salvation is a personal matter. God reaches others through His devotees, sharing sacred teachings so all may unite in truth, becoming one flock under one Shepherd, as Jesus expresses, 'I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd' (John 10:16). Recall how the wealthy man in hell, thirsting for a drop of water, was not aided by God, who refused to send Lazarus to soothe his parched throat. This was because he disregarded Moses' and prophets' teachings in scripture. What then will be the fate of those who rejected and murdered John the Baptist, who taught truth and sought to make them part of God's ‘Unique and Invisible Sacred Community’?
To be Continued…..
==> Get ready to explore 'A Pivotal Moment in Divine History', a groundbreaking event that forever changed the course of spiritual history. Read on to discover its profound significance."
Amen!
Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.
Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!
India! Peace be upon you!!
Peace to the whole world!!