Keys to Open Heaven 2 : Water Baptism

We get the keys to open heaven from Jesus’ life and ministry; particularly during his 30 to 33.5 yrs of age, we can see the proof and experience of open heaven. We see two supernatural experiences of open heaven in Jesus’ life - He heard the voice of God, and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. And then onwards his life was under completely open heaven. There was only one prayer of Jesus that wasn’t answered - when Jesus prayed to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane to take the cup of wrath from him - as it was beyond his capacity as a  human being to bear the whole sin of mankind upon Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Yesterday, we saw the first key to open heaven - Repentance. Today, let’s look at the second key to open heaven, which is Water Baptism.

Many do not know the importance of water baptism. Jesus took the water baptism of repentance under John the Baptist, setting an example for us. But as he came out of the water and prayed, heaven was opened. However, the water baptism that Jesus established for His believers is in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:3,4 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised 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.

Water baptism is a symbolic act. We were in Christ when he underwent the crucifixion and burial 2000 years back. And when He rose from the dead Christ came in us. We are all culprits in God’s eye and deserve an eternal penalty and everlasting judgement and damnation. But when we believe with our heart and confess with our mouth (Romans 10:9) that Jesus died for our sins, we receive salvation and eternal life as a free gift. All our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s presence. 

Romans 6:5,6 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin

In Acts 8:26-40, we read about Philip sharing the good news with an Ethiopian eunuch and later baptising him. Eunuchs in the Bible are typically defined as castrated men placed in charge over a king's harem of wives and concubines. A eunuch can never have his own dynasty. So this Ethiopian eunuch had a life-changing encounter on his way home and became a disciple of Jesus, a citizen of heaven and it is even said that he took the gospel to Africa and planted churches. He had the privilege of taking the gospel to the dark continent for the first time. The eunuch didn’t search for Philip, rather Philip was led by the Spirit to the eunuch. If you have a desire, God will send an evangelist to you as well. Repentance and water baptism are connected; and according to the divine law one who repents should believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ and immediately be baptised.
 
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, 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.