Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
How and when are we transferred from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of God? Hint: This transference involves the “forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 2:38 teaches baptism is when we receive the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit:
“Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus Himself said that one must be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God:
John 3:5
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Looking back to Acts 2:38 we see both the “water” and the” Spirit” that Jesus spoke about.
If we tie Colossians 1:13-14, Acts 2:38, and John 3:5 all together, we plainly see baptism is when and how we are transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light. Knowing this fact, we can also confirm from Peter’s writings that before we become a part of God’s “holy nation” or, God’s kingdom, we are in darkness:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
And baptism, according to John 3:5 is how we enter God’s kingdom, or His “holy nation” as Peter put it.
Before baptism we are not in God’s kingdom. Before baptism we are not in God’s “holy nation”. Before baptism we do not belong to God. Before baptism we have not received mercy. Before baptism we have not received the forgiveness of sins. Before baptism we have not yet received redemption.
But there is a very simple and easy solution to this: BE BAPTIZED!
What is the meaning and purpose of baptism?
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