Jesus told John when He came to be baptized by him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Baptism fulfills righteousness, not a prayer. The difference between saying a prayer and being baptized is a prayer invites Jesus into your heart, but you remain in the old man. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God because everyone has been born into Adam. Now we need to be born again, born into Christ. This is the new and living way.
Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
This new and living way is righteousness for His Name’s sake. It’s not our righteousness that we live through, but Jesus’s. He came to teach us to live this new way. The religious leader back then and today still don’t understand this new and living way. It’s a way of peace. Jesus was the Prince of Peace and now the King. How many leaders do you know that are excited about this message, the good news? If you got good news wouldn’t you want to share it? The good news of the gospel of the Kingdom is no different. Jesus talked the most about the Kingdom.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Living in the spirit is such joy and peace. People won’t understand you when you act this way when evil has come against you. They would expect you to act the same way they would. We are taught to respond to evil with good, but the world responds to evil with evil. Evil grows in such situations. When the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, evil is responded to with good. Look at My Lord the King. He went around doing good healing all who are oppressed by the devil for God was with Him and now He is with you. Live from the Kingdom. On earth, as it is in heaven. Living in the spirit, living in joy, peace, and righteousness are all indications that you are living from the Kingdom. Be blessed, my friends.
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Acts 10:37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.