BAPTISM IS MORE THAN GETTING WET IN CHURCH
What is baptism? Baptism is preceded by a public confession of true faith, belief and repentance followed by immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins and a receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was offered by the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in Acts 2:38.
Baptism is a New Testament commandment. It is a symbolic "burial" in water in recognition of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. Through baptism sins are washed away and the new creature in Christ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture compares baptism to Noah's ark: "In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (I Pet. 3:21-22).
God cleansed the earth of sin by burying in water the people who were blatantly sinning, but they didn't rise again from their watery grave. Noah and his three sons and their wives were the only ones saved. We who are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins will rise again to a new life. "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" (Romans 6:4). The choice is ours: rise or remain dead in your sins.
Baptism should be acted on immediately after coming to the full knowledge of your sinfulness. You should desire to make your conversion known to others. The need to act quickly is shown in all of the conversions in the book of Acts: Paul, the jailer and his family, the eunuch to which Philip preached, the 3,000 that were baptized after hearing Peter preach on the Day of Pentecost, etc. Procrastination just gives the devil time to talk a person out of being baptized or to put hurdles in the way. The sooner a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, the better.
Baptism is necessary for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-16a says, "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 do this to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented." We are to follow Jesus's example. Also note that Jesus was likely immersed because the next verse says, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water."
Baptism is an act of obedience. Obedience is stressed throughout the Bible but the obedience should be because we want to please Christ and not because we feel like we have to. After Jesus had died, risen, and ascended into heaven, Peter preached a sermon which grieved the hearts of the listeners. When he was finished, the people asked what they must do to be saved. Peter's response was, "Repent and be baptized, 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" (Acts 2:38). This requirement comes with a prized gift from the Lord Himself, that gift being the third part of Him, and who helps us throughout life as long as we don't permanently push Him away. He cannot co-exist with ongoing sin.
Baptism requires humility, a giving up of the pride that prevents a person from going forward to confess and repent in front of others. Vanity must be overcome in order for a person to be willing to get his or her hair wet in front of people. Those who are uncomfortable with being the center of attention must overcome that fear or any other fear long enough to fulfill this act of obedience.
Baptism is understanding that we are unworthy of the price Christ had to pay for our salvation, for His forgiveness of our sins, for the riches we will acquire in heaven and a realization that He loves us that much. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... (Romans 3:23). It is a way of acknowledging that "I get it now, Lord! Here I am; use me."
Baptism becomes void or meaningless if not followed by true love for Christ shown through our actions and obedience, notwithstanding the fact that we are still going to sin on occasion.
If our attention to the Lord ends with our baptism or if we are baptized with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason, we would still be lost sinners -- just wet ones. Baptism done just for show, such as to win the heart of a Christian girlfriend or boyfriend, is not true baptism. Getting baptized just because friends are or just to get to participate in taking Communion are wrong motives.
A transformation is to occur when baptized. That transformation involves a complete turnaround from our sinful and selfish ways of the past and a striving to become perfect as Jesus was perfect, though that goal will never be altogether accomplished. Jesus was the only one who was, is and ever will be perfect. Though that is the goal, the transformation will not happen overnight. It takes time, discipline, obedience, a change in attitude and thinking, love for the Lord and others, and much prayer. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Since all have sinned, it was necessary that Jesus die to cleanse us of our sins. Sinners could not enter heaven but Jesus made a way when there seemed to be no way. He took our sins to the cross, buried them in his grave and rose again. We symbolically do the same through baptism. Therefore, one need not despair when that person is caught in Satan's throes.
Baptism is a commitment to love as Jesus loved.
After baptism we are to follow Christ's teaching and example in our behavior and speech. "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:18). "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Col. 3:8). We are to walk by the spirit. "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV) The King James Version of the Bible translates forbearance as patience. That rolls off the tongue easier when trying to memorize that verse.
Baptism should be acted on immediately after coming to the full knowledge of your sinfulness. You should desire to make your conversion known to others. The need to act quickly is shown in all of the conversions in the book of Acts: Paul, the jailer and his family, the eunuch to which Philip preached, the 3,000 that were baptized after hearing Peter preach on the Day of Pentecost, etc. Procrastination just gives the devil time to talk a person out of being baptized or to put hurdles in the way. The sooner a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, the better.
Baptism is necessary for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-16a says, "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 do this to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented." We are to follow Jesus's example. Also note that Jesus was likely immersed because the next verse says, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water."
Baptism is an act of obedience. Obedience is stressed throughout the Bible but the obedience should be because we want to please Christ and not because we feel like we have to. After Jesus had died, risen, and ascended into heaven, Peter preached a sermon which grieved the hearts of the listeners. When he was finished, the people asked what they must do to be saved. Peter's response was, "Repent and be baptized, 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" (Acts 2:38). This requirement comes with a prized gift from the Lord Himself, that gift being the third part of Him, and who helps us throughout life as long as we don't permanently push Him away. He cannot co-exist with ongoing sin.
Baptism requires humility, a giving up of the pride that prevents a person from going forward to confess and repent in front of others. Vanity must be overcome in order for a person to be willing to get his or her hair wet in front of people. Those who are uncomfortable with being the center of attention must overcome that fear or any other fear long enough to fulfill this act of obedience.
Baptism is understanding that we are unworthy of the price Christ had to pay for our salvation, for His forgiveness of our sins, for the riches we will acquire in heaven and a realization that He loves us that much. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... (Romans 3:23). It is a way of acknowledging that "I get it now, Lord! Here I am; use me."
Baptism becomes void or meaningless if not followed by true love for Christ shown through our actions and obedience, notwithstanding the fact that we are still going to sin on occasion.
If our attention to the Lord ends with our baptism or if we are baptized with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason, we would still be lost sinners -- just wet ones. Baptism done just for show, such as to win the heart of a Christian girlfriend or boyfriend, is not true baptism. Getting baptized just because friends are or just to get to participate in taking Communion are wrong motives.
A transformation is to occur when baptized. That transformation involves a complete turnaround from our sinful and selfish ways of the past and a striving to become perfect as Jesus was perfect, though that goal will never be altogether accomplished. Jesus was the only one who was, is and ever will be perfect. Though that is the goal, the transformation will not happen overnight. It takes time, discipline, obedience, a change in attitude and thinking, love for the Lord and others, and much prayer. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Since all have sinned, it was necessary that Jesus die to cleanse us of our sins. Sinners could not enter heaven but Jesus made a way when there seemed to be no way. He took our sins to the cross, buried them in his grave and rose again. We symbolically do the same through baptism. Therefore, one need not despair when that person is caught in Satan's throes.
Baptism is a commitment to love as Jesus loved.
After baptism we are to follow Christ's teaching and example in our behavior and speech. "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:18). "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Col. 3:8). We are to walk by the spirit. "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV) The King James Version of the Bible translates forbearance as patience. That rolls off the tongue easier when trying to memorize that verse.
Baptism is accompanied by a hunger to find out in His Word what He wants us to know and do. We start with the milk of God's Word and move on to the meat of His Word. Too many spend their lives floundering in the milk. They misuse verses and struggle to quote any. They rely on the preacher's sermons to educate them without ever studying the Bible. They never grow as Christians. They become stagnant or even fall away; perish the thought.
Baptism creates an excitement that makes the person want to shout from the rooftops how it feels to be free of the burden of sin. The cleansed person has a desire for others to find this freedom. That excitement has a ripple effect in that others witness the happiness that comes with being made pure by Christ and want that in their lives. They too want to be free from the chains of sin that bind them. Even the home is happier.
Baptism is the forming of a close bond or relationship with Jesus and a desire to talk to Him in prayer. God talks back through His Word. He doesn't answer prayers that we don't pray. He is not a God who "cracks the whip" to make us love Him. Our love for Him and others must come from the heart.
When baptized, you are adopted into the family of God. As a family member you will have the benefits of a family member and will be loved, cared for and offered an inheritance, an eternal home in heaven. Our Father in heaven is like the father in the Bible story of the prodigal son and will welcome us home even in our filth. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are eternal. He (the three-in-one) will never die. Neither will we if we confess our faith, repent, are baptized, obey Him and have a father-son/father-daughter relationship with Him from then on. A relationship with Christ compares to a relationship with your earthly father but on a deeper level.
Becky L. Wall
