Day 19- Baptism
Author: David Robertson
WHY IS BAPTISM WORTH CONSIDERING?
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said: “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…”
- Christ commanded it (Matthew 28:19)
- Jesus demonstrated it (Matthew 3:16-17)
- The Early Church practiced it Acts 2:38)
WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER BAPTISM?
In immersion (going completely under the surface of the water) you are associating yourself with the death and burial of Jesus Christ; in rising out of the water you are identifying yourself with the resurrected life of Christ. It’s all very symbolic, and yet very important as you are declaring the following verse with your act of obedience to Jesus’ command to be baptized:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
WHO CAN BE BAPTIZED?
Anyone who has confessed their sins and determines in their heart to walk with the Lord. In the New Testament, “believe” always preceded “baptism.” When the Eunuch in the book of Acts wanted to be baptized in water, the Bible says:
“As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.: – Acts 8:36-38 NLT
BLESSINGS IN WATER BAPTISM
One of my joyful responsibilities as Care Pastor is to get to call adult water baptism candidates to field questions and pray with them before their baptism on New Life Sunday. Often, I will share the account from Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus’ own baptism in water.
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
After quoting this verse, I point out four things that occurred at Jesus’ baptism that I sincerely believe will happen at their baptism to parallel God’s blessings being poured out.
- 1. “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him…” – I believe God is offering them an open heaven, a new and fresh connection with their Heavenly Father. Why? Because of their obedience.
- “…and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him..” – the second blessing I see is a refreshing in the Holy Spirit. An awareness of the spirit of Jesus confirming His pleasure. Why? Because of their obedience.
- 3. “…and behold, a voice from heaven said…” – the third blessing I believe they will encounter is a fresh ability to hear the voice of God more frequently and with greater clarity. I encourage them that their Bible reading may take on new and special meaning. Why? Because of their obedience.
- “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Finally, I want them to expect the affirmation and validation of their Heavenly Father being so pleased with them. Why? Because of their obedience.
I conclude with assuring them their willingness to obey, to publicly declare: “I Have Decided” (it’s right there on the t-shirt!) to follow Jesus paves the way for a balanced blessed life as a fully submitted follower of Jesus.
PRAY: Abba, we thank you for sending Jesus to live the life we could not live and die the death we all deserve. Three days later Jesus was raised from the dead, proving that He is the Son of God. We put our trust in Christ and Christ alone for our salvation making Him our Savior, and we choose to obey Him in all things making Him our Lord. Thank you for the indescribable gift of Jesus and new life in Christ! It’s in His strong name we pray, Amen.