“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

July 2, 2008

The past few Sundays we have been discussing the topic of Baptism, so it might be a good idea to share a few thoughts about the basics of this important event in the life of every believer in Christ.  A number of people have expressed an interest in being baptized, and are discovering this is actually a step of obedience to the direct command of the Lord Jesus.  In Matthew 28:19-20 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. . . "  In this command, commonly known as the Great Commission, Jesus includes baptism as one of the acts of obedience His followers are to observe.

However, as we also have seen, baptism is far more than a simple act of obedience.  The very process of being baptized graphically illustrates a believer’s faith in and identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the original language of the New Testament, the Greek word for baptize is baptizo which means to immerse or submerge.  When applied to the context of Christian baptism, it signifies immersing a person under water and then raising them up again out of the water.  This powerfully portrays a person’s identifying with the death and burial of Jesus by going under the water, and then identifying with the raising to life of Jesus by coming up out of the water (e.g. Romans 6:3-4 & Colossians 2:12).  The symbolism of union with Christ is made complete in this one act of being immersed and coming back up out of the water.

In addition to the symbolic references that can only be explained adequately by immersion, the practice of immersion is also illustrated in several examples in Scripture.  Matthew states that after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, “He came up immediately from the water” (Matt. 3:16).  Mark confirms this as well by recounting that “Jesus . . . was baptized by John in the Jordan.  Immediately coming up out of the water . . .” (Mark 1:9-10).  In John 3:23, we read another clue that John the Baptist was practicing immersion.  One of the places he used to baptize was in a place called Aenon which the Bible says was “because there was much water there.” (John 3:23) 

 Yet another example is found in Acts 8 where Philip baptized a man from Ethiopia.  It says in verse 38 that “they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.”  Then in verse 39 we read “When they came up out of the water. . .” implying once again that immersion had been the method of baptism that Philip practiced.

One final thought regarding baptism is to remember that it does not initiate your union with Christ but rather it illustrates your union with Christ.  Baptism does not make you a believer in Jesus but rather it marks you as a believer in Jesus.  In Acts 10 we read about Peter who was preaching Jesus Christ to the people gathered in the home of man named Cornelius.  The Bible says that while he was still speaking “the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message” (v. 44).  These individuals heard the Word, received the Word, were saved (cf. Acts 11:14, 17) and evidenced the empowering Presence of God’s Spirit upon them.  Only after their faith in Christ clearly was established did Peter lead them through the demonstration of their faith in baptism.

A number of you have indicated to me your desire to be baptized, and already I am loosing track of who all has expressed this interest.  Please help me out by confirming this with an email, a phone call, or remind me once again the next time you see me.  We hope to schedule several opportunities for baptism in the near future and want to make sure we account for everyone who wishes to be included.

Walking together with Him!

Scott