1 Samuel 15:2-3 God commanded on why the Amalekites were to be destroyed.

Reflection: Anything that stands on our way towards or against God’s promises to heaven or eternal life.

V7-9 Soul executes the command but half-way (Halfhearted obedience and delayed obedience = disobedience).

He destroyed everything BUT spared the Amalekite king (leader) and all the best and appealing livestock.

**They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality (Logic and Human reasoning).

V10-11 God regrets for making Saul king for he was not loyal to God and his instructions (this saddened Samuel as well).

V13 Saul greets Samuel cheerfully and lies he carried out the Lord’s command (Pretense and form of godliness).

V14 The Lord sees the heart (what’s hidden). The Lord asks, “Then what is all that bleating of sheep and goats and lowering of cattle I hear”.

V15-21 (Saul’s self-justification) v19 “Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?

V22-23 Obedience to God’s voice is more pleasing than burnt offerings and sacrifices.

**Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering**

V23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols.

God said to Saul: “Because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.

Christ Ordinance after resurrection: BAPTISM

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded his disciples:

“v18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Baptism:

1. It is the second step of obedience after salvation (believing and repenting).

Acts 2:41 “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were ADDED to their number that day.” (i.e. added to the number of the church).

1. A church grows through committed members who have believed, repented and have been baptized (obedient to God’s AUTHORITY and not REBELLIOUS and STUBBORN).

iii. John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands” (This proves that we love Christ, and we are not ashamed to put on his RING in PUBLIC. (i.e. Public declaration of one’s faith)

1. In Matthew 3:15 Jesus identified with sinners through baptism (i.e. Fulfilled all righteousness as God required.

NB: Theologically:

1. Baptism may be defined as an act of association/identification with someone or message (i.e. ALLEGIENCE).

I Corinthians 10:2 – The Israelites in the cloud and in the sea were baptized INTO Moses (ie. As followers of Moses).

1. Romans 6:1-11 Calls us to be dead to sin, buried and raised with Christ into a new life.

iii. Acts 2:38, 10:48, 19:5 – The apostles baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS (i.e Command and Authority of Jesus / on behalf of Jesus, which is the same as same Authority/Will of the Father/son/Holy Spirit.

During baptism at the pool: Acts 8:36-37 (AMP)

Requirements of salvation:

Ephesians 2:8

Romans 3:28

Romans 4:3

Romans 6:3-4