A Sincere Request: Before proceeding, please review my previous articles, listed in order, for context. If you've already read them, please continue.

Accountability and Responsibility of the Church:

The administrators of the 'Baptism of Water' in the church have a sacred responsibility and accountability towards God to tirelessly strive to unite its members with God. This is the paramount mission and goal of the church, leaving no room for failure.

Notably, people should not merely associate with the physical church, made of structural materials, but must be facilitated to unite with God. If the church fails in this mission, which remains invisible to none, least of all God, its members will remain associated with the church, yet disconnected from God.

What benefit, then, does such a physical church provide? Who benefits, and how greatly? If Jesus does not benefit from the physical church, but only the administrators of the 'Baptism of Water' do, it will not be a genuine sacrament of baptism but a materialization of this sacred institution!

Jesus warns materialistic gainers, as stated in Scripture: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" (Matthew 16:26, NIV)

God has not sent us empty-handed:

There's a popular proverb: "We come empty-handed, we go empty-handed!" Indeed, no one can take their worldly earnings with them. Yet, I say, "We aren't born empty-handed; God fills our hands with a soul, made in His image and likeness." We must maintain this holiness through the 'Baptism of Water' and the sacrament of repentance and confession, the 'Baptism of Repentance', to walk the path of truth and return our soul to God, in His image and likeness, for His eternal glory. Are we prepared for a holy death? If not, what can we offer in exchange for His immense love and invaluable life? As Scripture says: "…what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" (Matthew 16:26, NIV)

Therefore, if the sacrament of repentance and confession, the 'Baptism of Repentance', is not arranged for church members receiving the 'Baptism of Water', the administrators will lose not only their own souls but also those of all members associated with the physical church. Notably, this is a tremendous responsibility and accountability! As stated in Scripture: "While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled." (John 17:12, NIV)

Jesus orders Peter to lead the way He led, as written in Scripture: "…Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep." (John 21:17, NIV) Can Jesus tolerate the devastation of church members who have undergone the 'Baptism of Water' within the physical church?

Substantiation of Love to Keep Churches United:

God wants proof from anyone wishing to unite with Him – a substantiation of love to God by loving neighbors, as Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV)

Is not the absence of love for neighbours a significant reason for the church's fragmentation? The standard of righteousness is to remain connected with God and neighbours through love. This is why we receive the 'Baptism of Water' – to love God's children as God loves them. Can righteousness lead to separation from the church? Can one claim righteousness as the reason for their separation from the church? Doesn't righteousness unite believers? Can righteousness divide people? Or does our unrighteousness, even after baptism, separate baptized brothers and sisters?

The baptism of repentance by water, meaning 'Baptism of Repentance' and 'Baptism of Water', unites humanity with God and associates people with the physical church. Therefore, only our enemy, Satan, can separate church members from the physical church whenever they fail to love their neighbours. Satan's works include:

- Breaking relationships
- Dividing and separating
- Creating misunderstandings
- Generating envy
- Fostering impatience
- Inspiring arrogance
- Encouraging blame-shifting, etc.

However, our Lord Jesus Christ wants us to love one another as He loves us. 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' (John 13:34, NIV)

Baptism: A Sacred Mission:

Through the ‘Baptism of Water’, we receive the gift of unity, not to divide, separate, or fragment, but to unite in glorifying God with fellow believers, and demonstrate God's love to those who haven't received the ‘Baptism of Water’. We do this not through our words, but through our Godly love, as our loving Jesus Christ says: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35, NIV)

The ‘Baptism of Water’ unites us not only with God and the physical church but also with people worldwide, regardless of receiving the ‘Baptism of Water’, as Jesus desired unity among people and with God. For this, Jesus prayed to the Lord God, as recorded in Scripture: ‘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, NIV)

Jesus Yearns for Oneness in God:

Jesus desires unity and harmony among those baptized in water, not isolation. He yearns for humanity's oneness in God. To achieve this, He prays that the fellowship of the baptized may help those who haven't yet experienced God's presence. Can the unbaptized see a God-centred community in the fragmented churches of the baptized?

Countless Churches, A Big Concern:

A crucial question: How many churches existed during Jesus' time when He received the 'Baptism of Water' from John the Baptist? Certainly, only one - with Jesus as the cornerstone, John the Baptist as the administrator and manager, Peter as the foundation stone, and those united with Jesus through the 'Baptism of Water' as followers. As scripture states: 'And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail.' (Matthew 16:18, NIV)

How many churches exist today? Ironically, there are countless churches, beyond numerical count! Jesus, the cornerstone, remains unbroken, as the gates of hell cannot withstand Him. However, the mutual love among church members, united through the 'Baptism of Water,' has been broken. Every individual has weaknesses, and we must extend love and patience to help them overcome, rather than separating from them through blame and accusation. This is what love means. As Jesus says, 'And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.' (Luke 6:33, NIV). Similarly, the biblical verse at (Luke 10:16, NIV) states: “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Love Must flourish to Nourish Churches:

The love cultivated through the 'Baptism of Water' will flourish when baptized children of God love one another as they love themselves. This love will nourish church unity, uniting both the baptized and unbaptized, as Jesus says: '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, NIV)

A Call to Action:

Now, all who administer and receive the 'Baptism of Water' must seek a sincere response to this question: Do we truly love God and our neighbours - fellow human beings - as we love ourselves? If so, why are we divided and fragmented into countless churches? If not, what purpose does our 'Baptism of Water' serve? Who benefits, and how much?

To be Continued…..

==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Baptism: Giver or Receiver - Who Ranks Higher?' that transforms our faith journey.

Amen!

Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.

Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!

Jharkhand! Peace be upon you!!

India! Peace be upon you!!

Peace to the whole world!!