AS SOON AS YOU ARE BAPTIZED
There are different kinds of baptisms that the Bible speaks of, but they all carry the same central theme, death, burial, and resurrection that will forever alter one’s life!
When Jesus was getting ready to go to the cross, he called it a baptism. "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! (Luke 12:50)
After Jesus was baptized in water, he was immediately led into the desert to be tempted by the devil. We see the death, burial, and resurrection in the desert experience just as in water baptism, After Jesus completed the baptism in the desert, he came out in the power of the Spirit. (Lk 4:14)
When Jesus went through the baptism of water, he declared his submission and loyalty to the Father. He also went through the baptism of the wilderness which was the testing of the lusts of the flesh. Whenever a person has overcome the lusts of the flesh, power shows up! There is a testing ground for everything that God will use greatly! If you are going through a big test in your life, know that there is an end to the test, and if you choose to trust God, it will result in the presence and power of God on your life! Every test is for a season and for a reason.
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Have you ever wondered why people are willing to pay money for a gym membership that will only bring pain? The answer is found in the results – right? Their muscles grow, their health increases and they achieve a better overall life. Likewise, after Jesus came back from being tested by the devil in the wilderness his life was filled with power, and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil! (Acts 10:38)
Are you being tested? Hold fast to God because… it's Power Time! God tests everything that is his and everything that will become great! What you’re going through is not a punishment. It is a pruning and will result in great growth! To go to the next level, baptism is necessary. Just remember, faith is the access to the presence and power of God. The glory of God is about to be revealed in your life, and will happen…