Regeneration

renewing Holy Spirit

poured on us through Christ

Titus 3:5-6

Our Christian foundation includes instructions about washings. (Hebrews 6:2) There were many ceremonial washings practiced by the Jews of Jesus time. New testament washings are the fulfillment of these living pictures God gave to Israel in the Old Testament.

I don't want to get too technical, but a quick look into the Greek words used here will help. The Greek word translated “washings” is baptismos, a noun derived from the Greek verb baptizo. Look familiar? Frequently this Greek word is transliterated “baptism” instead of being translated “to wash” or “to dip”. Since Hebrews 6:2 uses a plural word we can safely say there are at least two washings, or baptisms, every Christian should understand. One is water baptism, a baptism into Christ. (Acts 8:16) Another is Holy Spirit and fire baptism, performed by Christ. (Matthew 3:11, Acts 8:17)

In Greek baptizo means “...the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another…the drawing of wine by dipping the cup into the bow. (from Vines) When we accept Christ as Lord we are dipped in the blood of Christ - dyed to match His righteousness so that no stain of sin remains. That is the actual, spiritual washing that we celebrate and recognize when we are baptized in water.

Once we commit ourselves to Christ, He is our Lord, our Savior, and our Baptizer. He baptizes us not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with fire! The first believers were baptized all at once on the Pentecost after His ressurection. Since then He continues to baptize believers in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38, 5:32, 10:44-48, 19:1-7) It's for anyone who will receive it.

Being cleansed by the Word is another washing every new believer should practice. God's word is our mirror, showing us areas that don’t match the image of Christ we should project. At the same time His word cleanses us when we do what it says.

Make sure you've been washed...three times or more!

Marinate: 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 8:4-17