Baptism is often seen as strange, mystical or religious, yet there is so much more to it. Jesus commanded the Church Baptise people. The Holy Spirit commands individuals to be Baptism, but as always, humans turn it into a religious stance and use it for division!
Differing traditions exist:
From a baby being sprinkled somehow being safe from everything for eternity,
to someone having to have to be baptised 3 times, say specific prayers, not bath for a week afterwards!
BOTH positions miss the point. The Bible makes it clear: there is no Free Pass due to a sprinkling, and we can not earn anything from God.
A Biblical position:
Throughout time, God has put many festivals / practises in place to represent certain truths to us: (first to the Jews) and these practices often got children asking: why?
Examples:
So if those things remind us of such powerful realities, what does baptism represent?
First, Jesus remember that was baptised, He was revealing prophetically that He would die and then rise again. That’s what happened – He died on the cross and then rose again. The water represents death to the old life. It’s a sign that our old life is buried – washed away – gone for good and that we are now clean.
At this baptism, the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Jesus: God promises the Holy Spirit to those who are cleansed. 1Acts 2:38-39 (NLT) Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.
Baptism also reminds us that Jesus saves from the coming judgment. We want to be in the Ark, not drowned by the floodwaters outside.
Remember baptism has no power on its own, but it is a sign that the person is willing to be obedient to Jesus, no matter what.
It’s pretty simple, today, for Miss S, we will clap & cheer. But for many, getting baptised will cost them their status in society, their financial security and for some it will even cost them their life. But they do it anyway: not due to fear or thinking they will earn something…
But it is because they are acknowledging they have found something far, far better than the normal: a life in the presence and service of Jesus, the King of Kings, the Saviour of the world!
Many get baptised right away, as soon as they hear the truth about Jesus, (the forgiveness and the life He offers…) the Good News.
As we are pretty radical (and weird) parents, if anything, we have discouraged our children from getting baptised. We want to make sure they are saying yes to Jesus, not to us.
Following Him, not us. Doing it to please Him, not us. If it was for us, part of religion, it would be absolutely pointless. But if they are doing it to represent their response to Him – willing to be obedient to Him? WOW!
Real. Exciting. Powerful.
How amazing – here is ‘Miss S’ she has shown that she really does have a desire to live for Jesus. Far from following us, she is following Him and we know how He will lead and guide and protect and use her.
She is saying yes to His life. Vastly different to a life lived in ‘this world’.
There are only two options for this life:
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
SONG: LIVING HOPE (Phil Wickham)
Miss S: Why I am being baptised, thank you’s.
IMMERSION
What Baptism represents:
Old life dead
Rescued from consequence (Noah Flood / Hell).
Willing obedience to Jesus
You guys (people gathered to witness): Community of believers, part of God’s family:
– pray for her, (like some of you have been – God answers prayer)
– encourage her, (we all should do this with everyone)
– challenge her, (Christians should be able / open to being challenged to be better)
– join her, (follow Jesus, get baptised, live for God)
God popped this thought into my mind the other day:
In a sense, I am giving away m daughter today. I am placing her hand in the hand of Jesus. He will never let you down. No matte if you decide to get married or not, He has you. Love Him, worship Him, follow Him… He will never let you down.
Jesus commanded the Church to baptise people while the Holy Spirit commands individuals to get baptised. So, in obedience, I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Pray
Footnotes:
- 1Acts 2:38-39 (NLT) Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.