baptism by immersion
This past weekend, and over the holiday, I re-evaluated my beliefs about believer's baptism. I realized for the first time how important baptism is to the christian faith, and to me as a christian.
I remember the day I was baptized. -I don't remember exactly what I wore, but I do remember I wasn't allowed to wear white (as recommended by the church) because mom didn't want me to ruin white clothing in the ocean. I remember apologizing to God and hoping it was still meaningful even if I wore colored clothing.- But aside from those random memories, it was a momentous experience. A "milestone of faith" as Tom Pirrone, one pastor at Calvary, calls it.
I read the first 10 chapters of Acts (along with bits and pieces of the gospels that pertained to baptism) for source material this weekend, and I was overwhelmed by the significance and importance of the act of being baptized after salvation. Not only is it a beautiful symbol of new life, but it is a public declaration of our faith, and commanded by Jesus. Matt 28:19-20
I guess I took for granted that soon after salvation people were then baptized, but this is not always the case, and at my church there are so many people from such diverse backgrounds this is an issue that not everyone feels the same way about, or has even processed yet.
As I processed through the scripture, and looked back on my own experience, I became aware of the need to educate new and sometimes old believers on the relevance, significance, and importance of baptism. It is a part of the journey of faith for people who have recieved Jesus as their personal savior.
If you are reading this, and haven't been baptized... Have you given your life to Jesus? ... Then what are you waiting for?
And if you are a seasoned believer who has forgotten about the day you took the public step to be baptized, perhaps you could use a refresher in what the Bible says about this topic. You could aso encourage and educate new believers that God has placed in your sphere of influence.
Either way, I pray that God reminds you of His personal grace for you and of the awesome work that He does at Salvation.
We should proclaim His transforming work in our lives by participating in this tangible symbol of our faith.
I remember the day I was baptized. -I don't remember exactly what I wore, but I do remember I wasn't allowed to wear white (as recommended by the church) because mom didn't want me to ruin white clothing in the ocean. I remember apologizing to God and hoping it was still meaningful even if I wore colored clothing.- But aside from those random memories, it was a momentous experience. A "milestone of faith" as Tom Pirrone, one pastor at Calvary, calls it.
I read the first 10 chapters of Acts (along with bits and pieces of the gospels that pertained to baptism) for source material this weekend, and I was overwhelmed by the significance and importance of the act of being baptized after salvation. Not only is it a beautiful symbol of new life, but it is a public declaration of our faith, and commanded by Jesus. Matt 28:19-20
I guess I took for granted that soon after salvation people were then baptized, but this is not always the case, and at my church there are so many people from such diverse backgrounds this is an issue that not everyone feels the same way about, or has even processed yet.
As I processed through the scripture, and looked back on my own experience, I became aware of the need to educate new and sometimes old believers on the relevance, significance, and importance of baptism. It is a part of the journey of faith for people who have recieved Jesus as their personal savior.
If you are reading this, and haven't been baptized... Have you given your life to Jesus? ... Then what are you waiting for?
And if you are a seasoned believer who has forgotten about the day you took the public step to be baptized, perhaps you could use a refresher in what the Bible says about this topic. You could aso encourage and educate new believers that God has placed in your sphere of influence.
Either way, I pray that God reminds you of His personal grace for you and of the awesome work that He does at Salvation.
We should proclaim His transforming work in our lives by participating in this tangible symbol of our faith.
Comments
Yeah Baptism is cool, made me think cuz i've never really given much thought to it either other than the basic.
In addition to scripture, you might also enjoy reading some early Church descriptions of baptisms that have survived in historical documents:
Of Baptism, Cyril of Jerusalem
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310120.htm
On Baptism - Tertullian
http://mb-soft.com/believe/txv/tertullt.htm
You'll find that Tertulian agrees with you on the "need to educate" (as you put it) prior to baptism.
God bless...
- Timothy