This past Sunday, August 25th 2019, was our annual baptism service. We saw seven people publicly proclaim their new life in Jesus and their desire to live as Christians, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the church.
It was a gorgeous day and we did it (intentionally) at a public lake so that we could be a gospel witness to anyone around. We have since received reports that there was a positive buzz in the community, but not without questions of course. “What are those people doing down there?” “Are they a cult?!” “Why are they baptizing adults…isn’t that just for babies?”
Great questions…so, why is baptism important?
Baptism is important because Scripture commands the church to do it. Jesus tells us in the Great Commission. says clearly “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 ESV)
In Acts, at Peter’s sermon at Pentecost we read the reaction of those cut to the heart when they heard the gospel – “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “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 2:37–38 ESV)
Baptism is an ordinance of the church, given only to the church, to publicly proclaim faith in Jesus Christ, and we obey Scripture and for good reason and benefit.
Baptism is important because it is a picture of the gospel. This is why the Bible is so clear about credo (adult believer baptism by immersion) -baptism [as opposed to paedo (infant baptism by sprinkling) -baptism. The word for baptism in the Greek means “to plunge, to dip…” and it is also further emphasized by what it pictures – namely the gospel itself.
Romans 6:1-4 tells us clearly that when a someone believes and is baptized, they are uniting themselves to the gospel. As they go under the water, it is a picture of being united to Christ’s death, as they come up out of the water they are united to Christ’s resurrection. The water also has a cleansing aspect which pictures the washing and forgiveness of sins. The believer then is reborn to “walk in newness of life.” [Romans 6:4]
Baptism is important because it is a public declaration for the believer. This is on two fronts. First, since baptism is designed to be done before your local church, it is saying to them “I’m a Christian, and I intend to live like one…with the help of the Holy Spirit…and you guys…my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
But it is also a public witness. Those people standing on the beach gave public testimony to the work of God in their lives and how he opened their eyes to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ – for all to hear. What shouldn’t be lost on us, is the complete freedom that we have to do that in the US, as opposed to other countries. Being baptized in Iran or Syria would lead to your execution, and yet the church still is called to obey. This should lead us to pray for the strength of the churches in hard places, the faith of the believers, and the spread of the gospel – even where it is opposed.
All this to say, baptism IS important. It is a critical part of being a Christian and one that has great effect on both the believer and those watching. Let’s continue to obey Scripture as we seek to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ at Highlands and beyond!
