Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The baptism into Christ is described in 1 Corinthians 12:13a. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” This is the final baptism. Baptism in water is the beginning of baptism which finally ends in baptism INTO CHRIST. Christ, therefore, is a place in the Spirit, a Body, a mystic Body, into which we are incorporated by the power of God and the movement of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be baptized into Christ by man but by the Holy Ghost. Man baptizes you in water. Jesus Christ baptizes you into the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost baptizes you into Christ. In Christ is our final destination. That is the destination of every child of God. When CHRIST IS IN YOU, wherever you go, Christ has to go. If you go someplace Christ does not like, Christ will still have to be there in you, because you are carrying Him. When YOU ARE IN CHRIST, you go where Christ wants you to go. When the bull is eaten by the high priest, the bull has no say. He does not tell the priest where to go.
SANCTIFICATION is the work of the Holy Ghost. This work never ceases until we come into perfection to be like Jesus Christ. “Sanctus spiritus” means the “Holy Spirit.” “SANCTification” means “bringing us into the Holy Spirit.” This is the work in the Outer Court, done by the second work of grace, as the second seal is broken. There are three parts to this whole work – baptism, sanctification, and consecration. CONSECRATION is the putting aside, for the purpose of God, that which has been sanctified and cleansed for God and God alone. We are not to be used by the world. Many Christians allow themselves to be used by the world.
In the story of Samson, he transgressed and transgressed again until he broke the covenant. His hair was the symbol of covenant, the handwriting of God upon him. Just like our baptism is the handwriting of God upon us, so was the hair upon Samson. When his hair was cut off, the covenant was broken between him and God and he was made to grind corn like an ox. The Philistines blinded him and made him grind corn for them. The man of God was the means by which all their lusts were being fed. This is what God is saying about transgression. Too many of us do not understand that we were bought with a price and are to be set aside for God’s use and God’s use alone. We are not to be drudged; we are to be put aside specifically for the work of God in all things. This is what is meant by CONSECRATION.
(Excerpt from The Book of Revelation, Volume 1, pg. 110-111)
Thought for today: Let us walk each day in the Sanctification and Consecration of our baptisms.
