Baptism - Part 1 (Position)

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For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13, NKJV) 
   There are three baptisms mentioned in the New Testament writings. Each is unique, and each has it's own meaning and significance. This post, and the following three, will look at what Scripture says about each, although they will be covered in a different order than they chronologically appear in the NT.

   The first baptism that the NT reveals to us is the baptism into Christ. The wording may seem odd, but Paul addressed it as such in the verse mentioned above: "By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..." This baptism is the spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit makes us a part of the body of Christ. There is another term that we are more accustomed to using that speaks of the same spiritual act: salvation. When a person receives salvation by placing their faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), they become a new creation (1 Cor. 5:17).  Jesus does not simply take a person and "clean them up," they are completely spiritually remade or "born again" (Jn. 3:3, 1 Pet. 1:23) by the Spirit of God. As such, they are now a part of the spiritual body of Christ (1 Cor. 12) This is why I refer to this as a baptism of position. Now that the individual has been born again by faith in Jesus, their spiritual position changes from one of spiritual death to one of spiritual life. (Rom. 8:10-11) 
   This is the beginning of spiritual life. It is simply impossible to understand and experience the presence of God until an individual has asked Jesus to forgive them, save them, and transform them through the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again..." (Jn. 3:7). 
   If you want to experience the presence and power of God this is where it starts. Paul said that we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts in order to receive salvation. Why not do this today? Tomorrow may be too late!

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