Title 2023

The Bible reveals that during His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself did not baptize anyone with water.

In John 3:22 (NIV) and John 4:1-2 (NIV), it says:
“After these things, Jesus and His disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them, and baptized. Now Jesus himself did not baptize, but His disciples did.”
This clearly shows that although Jesus’ disciples baptized people, Jesus Himself never personally baptized anyone with water.

Why is this important? It tells us that Jesus intended to perform a different kind of baptism one that only He can administer. Water baptism is a physical act done by humans, but the baptism Jesus offers is a spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism symbolizes the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When baptized, a person is immersed in water and raised again, representing dying to the old self and rising to new life in Christ. This is described in Romans 6:3-4 (NIV):
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

On the other hand, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a spiritual act in which the believer’s spirit is immersed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This baptism is a sovereign act of Jesus, and no human or angel can perform it for another. Jesus promised this baptism in Luke 3:16 (NIV):
“John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”

Both baptisms are essential. We must be baptized in water by human ministers and baptized in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Himself.

Some teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is optional, or that water baptism alone is sufficient. Others claim that once someone receives the Holy Spirit, water baptism is no longer necessary. These views contradict Scripture. Jesus said in John 3:5 (NIV):
“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
Here, “born of water” refers to water baptism, and “born of the Spirit” refers to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Both are necessary for entrance into God’s kingdom.

Additionally, even after receiving the Holy Spirit, water baptism remains important. For example, when Peter visited the Gentile Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit came upon them first, but Peter still instructed them to be baptized in water. This is recorded in Acts 10:44-48 (NIV):
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

This shows that receiving the Holy Spirit does not replace water baptism. Both baptisms are vital parts of a believer’s spiritual journey.

Have you been baptized with water? If not, and you have already heard the truth, you are at risk spiritually. If you were baptized as a child or by sprinkling only, consider being baptized again by full immersion, as practiced in the New Testament (see John 3:23 (NIV):
“Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming to be baptized.”)

Have you also been baptized in the Holy Spirit? If not, ask Jesus He is faithful and will give you His Holy Spirit, because He desires to be with you more than you desire Him. But first, repent sincerely by turning away from all sin, and be baptized with water if you have not already.

Peter answered the people’s question about what to do in Acts 2:37-39 (NIV):
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek Him.

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We know from Scripture that what belongs to Caesar like taxes should be given to Caesar. But what about what belongs to God? How do we properly give to God what is His, according to Luke 20:25?

Let’s read Luke 20:21–26 from the English Standard Version (ESV) to understand this better:

Luke 20:21-26 (ESV):
21 Then they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and you do not show partiality, but teach the way of God truthfully.
22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them,
24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”
They said, “Caesar’s.”
25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 And they were not able in any way to catch him in a speech before the people. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Jesus uses a powerful theological principle here—recognizing ownership by the image and inscription on the coin. Since the coin bears Caesar’s image, it rightfully belongs to Caesar.

This raises a deeper spiritual truth: just as the coin bears Caesar’s image, we bear God’s image. The Bible teaches this clearly:

Genesis 1:27 (ESV):
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Being created in God’s image (imago Dei) means that our very essence body, soul, and spirit reflects God’s character and belongs to Him. This theological truth has profound implications for how we live and honor God.

The Apostle Paul expands on this in his letter to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV):
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Here Paul reminds us that our bodies are not just biological entities; they are temples of the Holy Spirit. Because God’s Spirit dwells within believers, our bodies and lives are sacred, purchased by Christ’s sacrifice.

Furthermore:

1 Corinthians 6:13 (ESV):
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

This teaches that our bodies are meant for God’s purposes, not for sin or immorality. To sin against our bodies is to dishonor God, whose image we bear.

How do we give God what belongs to Him?

1. BY BEING SAVED
Salvation is the starting point. It means surrendering our spirit to Jesus through repentance and baptism both water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit as Jesus commanded (Mark 16:16, ESV: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”). When we believe in Christ and give Him our lives, we return to God what is rightfully His.

2. BY TURNING AWAY FROM SIN
Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 6:13 reminds us that living in purity honors God. Sexual immorality, substance abuse, immodest dressing, or any sin that harms our bodies is an affront to God’s ownership of us. Since we bear God’s image, our bodies should be treated with reverence and holiness (Romans 12:1, ESV: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God”).

Summary

Just as the coin with Caesar’s image belongs to Caesar, we belong to God because we are made in His image. Therefore, our souls and bodies belong to God and must be given to Him fully—through salvation, holiness, and faithful living.

May the Lord bless you richly as you honor Him with all that you are.

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Did you know that just getting close to sin is already a form of disobedience even before any action takes place?

When God gave Adam and Eve His command in the Garden of Eden, He didn’t merely say, “Do not eat” from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He also warned them not to touch it. This was a clear call to complete separation from what was forbidden not even physical closeness was allowed.

Genesis 3:2–3 (ESV):
“And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

This detail “neither shall you touch it” often goes unnoticed. But it reveals an important theological truth: sin often begins before the outward act. The inward desires and subtle compromises are what make us vulnerable (see James 1:14–15).

James 1:14–15 (NIV):
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Eve didn’t eat the fruit without first reaching out, holding it, examining it. That small action of touching began the process of disobedience. It’s a reminder that temptation doesn’t appear suddenly it grows step by step, often through curiosity, compromise, and contact.

God had good reason to forbid even touching the fruit. He was protecting humanity from the process of sin. Theologically, this shows us the principle of “fleeing” temptation not reasoning with it, not testing boundaries.

Paul reinforces this in the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV):
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

Notice the command is not to resist or debate but to flee. Joseph is a clear example. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn’t stay and argue. He ran physically fleeing the situation (Genesis 39:12). That’s wisdom in action.

Today, many Christians want to live close to the line without crossing it. But spiritually, this is dangerous ground. Just being near sin whether in behavior, thoughts, or entertainment exposes us to temptation.

Someone might say, “I’m not committing adultery,” yet their phone is filled with provocative images, sensual music, worldly films, and ungodly group chats. These are subtle doorways to compromise.

Paul urges believers to avoid even the appearance of evil:

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV):
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Even the company we keep matters. Scripture warns us that our environment shapes our behavior:

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV):
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”

You cannot say you’ve turned from gossip if you spend time with people who gossip. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself joining in. The same goes for anger, profanity, pride, or any other sin listed in Galatians 5:19–21.

Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV):
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Adam and Eve were told not to eat or even touch the forbidden fruit. The same principle applies today. We must avoid the roots, the branches, and the entire tree of sin. Because often, touching is the first step toward tasting.

Conclusion:

Approaching sin whether physically, mentally, or digitally is dangerous. We deceive ourselves when we think we can manage temptation on our own. God’s Word calls us to radical separation, not cautious closeness.

Let us stay vigilant, depend on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and ask for the grace to walk wisely:

Galatians 5:16 (ESV):
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Maranatha—The Lord is coming. 

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