Baptism
Have you ever thought about baptism?
But had too many questions…. why do I have to get dipped into water? I don’t like the idea of getting wet! Is this a ritual? Is it needed for salvation? Does it make me a good person? What’s the real idea?
Water bapitism is for believers and is a wonderful picture proclaiming the truth and the Gospel that an individual has embraced. It’s just a symbol – a picture!
It is also a great witness as a believer identifies with the community proclaiming himself as one who is now a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ- it is an outward sign of an inward reality!
So... what does baptism really picture?
“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:12-14 MSGDeath
Being submerged in the water represents death .Salvation and the good news first starts with accepting the bad news- that is that we have all sinned and its consequences are death. When we are submerged its a picture of being ‘drowned’ and covered in our sin unto death!
Burial
Staying under the water once again drives the truth that the inescapable penalty for our sin is death and as we remain under the water this dramatically illustrates the reign of death on our lives.
Resurrection
As we rise up from the water this pictures what Jesus did on the cross on the third day…. Jesus was buried but on the third day HE rose again and conquered death…in like fashion when we rise from the waters we claim the resurrection power of Jesus- the conqueror of death!
Baptism is an act of both obedience and faith in GOD…doing as GOD commands.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism is a public declaration…It is you making your faith known to the community and those around you! It is a public sign…like a wedding ring is in marriage…baptism plays a similar role..it is a sign that seals the transaction and relationship you have entered into with GOD!
It is intended to be the very next step after salvation…to be baptised and begins a journey that unpacks and discovers all that GOD has planned for you.
Baptism does not make you a believer! Rather , it is compelling evidence that you already are one, no more than a wedding ring makes your married!
But it opens doors for a new start in your walk with GOD as you recieve HIS annointing and a filling of HIS Spirit. It introduces a life of baptism not only with water but also of the Spirit as you walk in obedience and in faith.
