MYSTERY OF THE WATER part three
Everyone takes a break around a beautiful alpine lake.
The Hike boss says, “Jesus changed the words Born Again to Born of the Spirit. When you repent from your sins, have faith and trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior; he will give you the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit created the Universe, convicted people of their sins, and was with godly prophets, kings, judges, men and women.
In the New Testament the Holy Spirit abides in us, making us a new
creation.”
I want everyone to look at the water for a minute and when
I say go, I want you to blurt out one at a time every possible use of the word ‘WATER’
you find in the Bible.”
EVERYONE speaks sharing their view, one after another:
"Moses striking the rock in the wilderness and water gushing
out from it."
"Parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River."
"Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana."
"Jesus and Peter walking on water on the Sea of Galilee."
"Woman at the well in Samaria hearing about living water."
"John the Baptist, baptizing people at the Jordan River."
"1 John 5:6 ‘This is he who comes by water and blood.’"
"Cleansing of the leper in the Jordan River."
"Noah’s flood and raining to 40 days and 40 nights."
"Ceremonial washings in Jerusalem."
"Washing of the word."
"Spring of water."
Hike Boss smiles, ‘You came up with some brilliant answers. Now imagine you are working on a puzzle and
you have 12 pieces cut similarly. Only
one piece with the right picture is going to fit in the Nicodemus at Night puzzle. What piece of the puzzle would you choose for
‘Born of Water…”
Sally speaks, “I am a woman, water means Natural Birth.” Why don't you believe me?
Dan spouts, “Let’s save time here, I think everyone here
believes the water is referring to Water Baptism.
Debra smiles, ‘Water can be used symbolically for
purifying, washing and cleansing, all attributes of the Holy Spirit.”
Hike Boss replies, “It is OK if everyone believes
differently what the word ‘Water’ means with Nicodemus, as long as we don’t
change the gospel of salvation. We are
saved by grace through faith. But are we
saved by water baptism too?
Matthew answers, “John’s baptism, was a baptism for
repentance, preparing the way.”
Ruthie adds, “The good thief on the cross believed and was
promised to go to paradise. He was saved
without ever being baptized.”
Dan interrupts, “You are not listening to God’s holy word. You
must be baptized to be Born Again! Case closed, can we go and play now?”
‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” Mark
16:16 (KJV King James Version.)
SUSANNA smiles, “The rest of the verse reads, “…but he who
has disbelieved shall be condemned.” We
are saved by belief and condemned by unbelief.
If we are not baptized why are we not condemned also?”
HIKE BOSS speaks, “It’s all right to have different views
on what born of water means to you. This is a popular view, and it’s up to you to
decide what you believe.
MATTHEW contributes, “Can we share our personal experiences
of when we were saved and when we were baptized?”
HIKE BOSS says, “How many here were saved, before you were baptized? “How
many were saved when you were baptized in water? How many here were baptized before you were
saved? How many of you were saved and never have been baptized?
Hands were raised in response to each question?
JOHN talks, “John the Baptist baptized with water, but
Jesus baptizes his believers with the Holy Spirit and fire, for the equipping of
ministries.”
DEBRA speaks, “The Great Commission is for believers to go
make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost. Water baptism is a public way to
declare your repentance and faith in Jesus; beginning your journey as his disciple.”
HIKE BOSS closes, “We’re trying to get your wheels spinning in your head, and let you examine what you believe. Tomorrow we will finish our discussion beside a beautiful waterfalls.
It’s time to jump in the water Sally!
Dan, can you close in prayer?
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