When I was a kid, I attended a Catholic school. Coming from a Protestant family, I was harassed because I had not yet been baptized, I was about 7 years old. I had teachers telling me I was going to hell. My parents explained to me that they did not believe in baptizing the children until they understood what baptism was about, that when that moment came, I would be baptized. In my innocence, I didn't understand what my parents meant. When I was eleven, I was baptized with a general understanding of what it involved.
Today I thank my parents for not being pressured to baptize me before the right time.
In the Bible we see that water was used as washing and starting something new. Thus we see that the flood cleansed the world of sin and offered a new opportunity. "to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 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," (1 Peter 3:20-21 NIV)
Baptism is a very serious and meaningful sacrament. Participating in it should be done consciously and not taken lightly. It is not just about the rite; it involves and implies so much more.
First, let us differentiate between the baptism of John the Baptist and that of Jesus. John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins:
· " The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." (Mark 1:5 NIV)
· " Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel." (Acts 13:24 NIV)
· " during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Luke 3:2-3 NIV)
John the Baptist warned of the coming of Jesus and the new baptism of the Holy Spirit.
· " “I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11 NIV)
· " Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” (Acts 19:4 NIV)
· " And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’" (John 1:33 NIV)
A before and after is noticeable from the baptism of Jesus when the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. " When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22 NVI)
Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, those baptized in Jesus also receive the Holy Spirit. So, this remarkable event was a confirmation for John the Baptist and a sign for the world.
The Bible clearly explains what baptism is, its characteristics and consequences. Let us see.
What is baptism? What does it require?
The word baptism comes from the Greek "baptízeins" which means "submerge" or "wash".
“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," (1 Peter 3:21 NVI)
Baptism is the external (water wash) and public symbol of the internal commitment to renounce sin and live a life that imitates Jesus Christ (cleansing of the soul). It requires true repentance of sin (Acts 2:38, below) and an attitude for the purpose of amendment. It is one of two rites that Jesus Christ instituted.
What are the consequences of baptism?
1) we will receive the Holy Spirit
“Peter replied, “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 NIV)
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV)
We are united through baptism by receiving the Holy Ghost to form one body: The Church.
2) we will enter the kingdom of heaven
" Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5 NIV)
Jesus explains that baptism is required to enter heaven. Of course, baptism requires repentance and commitment to renounce sin; without repentance or commitment to imitate Jesus it is not possible to reach the kingdom.
3) makes us partakers of Jesus' death
" Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3 NIV)
By accepting Jesus Christ, repenting, and being baptized, we identify with Jesus' whole life, including his death, by which we were saved. Without his death, baptism would only be by water and not spirit.
4) washes (forgives) sins and regenerates, renews
" And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name’" (Acts 22:16 NIV)
In Christ we are born again, we are a new creature renewed by the Holy Spirit.
" he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5 NVI)
The washing to which it refers is nothing but regenerative baptism.
5) you're clothed in Christ
As we are justified and baptized, we are sons and daughters like Christ, for by his death we were adopted. Covered in Christ refers to the fact that baptism, after accepting Christ, puts you in a state like his (a son or daughter).
" So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27 NIV)
6) makes you a disciple
By accepting the commitment of baptism, we enter a school of life in which we must study the Bible and learn from Jesus' example.
" 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," (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
I hope, reader friend, that this study will be a blessing to you. Long live the lavation!
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