This week I was thinking about water baptism and decided to do some research on this topic so I could share it with you. I found some interesting information and I hope it helps you to understand the true meaning of water baptism.
Jesus said in Matt 28:19-20, “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” This doesn’t sound like water baptism is optional for the believer. Matt 3:11 plainly stated the reason for John baptizing, “I baptize you with water for (Gr., eis, into or result of) repentance”. This speaks of purpose, in other words, “I baptize you because or the result of repentance.” Earlier in Matt 3:7, 8, John was warning them “… to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Church, baptism is more than a “symbol” of salvation, it is a stand, a commitment, a seal of one’s repentance to follow Christ and His teaching. Repentance implies a total “turn” from the world, friends and family if need be. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)
When the first Jewish converts repented and were baptized, they were perceived and marked as being separated and living apart from their previous Jewish roots. Where in reality, they were reestablishing their roots. Baptism to the pharisaical Jews, was not perceived as a simple symbol, it was understood as a change in life and position that threatened and condemned the pharisaical Jewish way of living.
Today’s baptisms are rarely followed by a radical change in life and position, so no real threat is imposed. Often times in our modern society many maintain much the same life and often have the same “besetting sins” they committed before baptism. In fact, because so many are baptized without attending fruit, believers are justly criticized for being hypocrites by the world.
The word “saints,” means the “consecrated” or separate ones. It is similar in meaning to the word church, where church means the “called out” ones. Therefore repentance coupled with baptism is a stand that one is dead, separated from the world and called out to be a functioning part of the many-membered body of Christ. They are dead to their old lives and the world and called to an unselfish, loving and holy walk with the Lord.
True repentance will produce the fruit of the Spirit that will be productive to the building up of the living body of Christ. Baptism is meant to represent our public confession and stand that we have come out of one life and resurrected into another. When we are baptized, we are making a statement of change, change of authority, change of friends and family if necessary, a turning away from sin and a clinging to Christ and His word. It should be like a wedding vow, “For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” Baptism implies that you will no longer permit sin to have “dominion” over you.
Friends, true repentance means we make a complete change in the “direction” of our attitude and behavior, we are therefore changed personally as our minds and thinking are constantly renewed in its commitment to be committed to giving ourselves over to Christ. Old things are passing away as a result and all things are becoming new. Read the rest of this entry »
