What Kind of Person Will You Be?

I know. The title is a loaded question. Let me share the lesson I've been learning in my women's Bible study group, and maybe it'll make it more clear.

So, as women, we want to find women in the Bible to model our lives after. Well, I do at least. I hope you do too.

There are also women in the Bible we immediately can put into the other category: Don't be like her.

Two specific women are Elizabeth and Jezebel.

Elizabeth was John the Baptist's mother, and Mary's cousin.

She was a godly, dutiful wife. She loved her husband, helped the poor, lived righteously, and set a good example in her community.
Her husband, Zecharius, was a priest in the temple of God. He was a godly, righteous man, who did his duty, loved his wife, and set a good example in his community.

See where I'm going with this?

Zecharius was visited by an angel of the Lord who told him that his wife (who was barren) would have a son, and they would name him John. Zecharius asked for proof. The angel made him mute. Still, in my Bible study class we discussed that he must have communicated somehow what happened there because when John was born Elizabeth calmly told the family and well-wishers that the baby would be named John (unusual because it wasn't a family name). It was only when they turned to Zecharius for confirmation that his tongue was loosed and he confirmed it.

They stood together as a couple without yelling, shouting, cussing, or offending any well-wishers. Calmly, they agreed with one another.

That's a good example of a marriage. The couple serves God, stands in agreement, and doesn't argue when other people are around.

Now, what about Jezebel?

Jezebel was an evil, lying, manipulative queen, who was more interested in control than anything else.

She served Baal. She lied to get her way. She manipulated and controlled her husband.

Yes. She was married. Just like it takes a special kind of man to be married to an Elizabeth, it takes a special kind of man to be married to a Jezebel.

Ahab was a wicked, weak, and greedy king. He always wanted more. When he wanted a farmer's land and couldn't get it because God had told the farmer not to sell it, ever, he went home and pouted and whined about it until Jezebel, in the spirit of control, took matters into her own hands.

She lied and manipulated the situation to make the farmer look like a criminal, so that he was killed, all of his sons were killed, and his lands were seized.

So, in a sense, both Jezebel and Elizabeth were good wives who took care of their husbands. The difference is the spirit in which they accomplished this.

Elizabeth took care of her husband and stood by him out of love. Jezebel did it out of control, and wickedness.

Something I've learned is that the manipulative, selfish spirit of Jezebel is not limited to only women. That kind of character can be found throughout the Bible, even in men.

So, whether you're a man or a woman, we should strive to fight against the Jezebel and Ahab spirits that try to rise up within us. They are the controlling spirits that want things to always go our own way no matter the cost.

We should strive to be like Elizabeth and Zechariah. We have to strive to be good, godly, loving people. We have to respect the authority in the church, help those less fortunate, and take care of our duties, even when we would rather be selfish and just do whatever we want.

And remember, every Elizabeth should be looking for a Zechariah, just like a Jezebel will be looking for an Ahab. An Elizabeth would not be happy with an Ahab, just like a Jezebel could not stand a Zechariah.

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When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. - Luke 1:41

For the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, go to Luke 1.

For the story of Jezebel and Ahab, go to 1 Kings 18-21, and 2 Kings 9.

Baptism

So, I got baptized last month! The pool was heated, don't worry. Lol. So, for today's post, I want to talk about what baptism is, its purpose, and why we should do it. Because we should. Oops. That might be a spoiler.

What is baptism?

Baptism is when you are dipped under water as a symbol for being cleansed. It shows that we are new creations in Christ. 
Do we need to be baptized?

Yes.
Why should we be baptized?

Baptism is a declaration that we have chosen to follow Christ. Christ was baptized as an example for us to follow. It is important for one who has repented of their sins.
Is baptism necessary for salvation?

No. Believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is all that we need to be saved. If someone is saved one day, with the intention of being baptized the next day, but dies that night, they are still saved.

Why is it important?

It is a step of obedience. It is an outward symbol of our inward faith. It is a "work" that we can do on the earth, and as we learn in the Bible, we are not saved by our works, but by Christ Jesus.

Where can I find Bible verses about baptism?

You can find verses about baptism through out the Bible, not just in the New Testament. Though Jesus' baptism contains many of the more well-known verses. I have included a couple here, but I urge you to seek out others for yourselves. Study and learn. Repent, and be baptized. May God bless you.

Matthew 3:13-15 - Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

Ephesians 4:4-5 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Mark 16:16 - Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

These verses also contain records of baptisms:

Mark 1:5
Acts 2:41
Acts 8:12
Acts 9:18
Acts 10:47
Acts 16:15
Acts 16:33
Acts 18:8
Acts 19:5