In previous posts we looked at repentance and faith. It’s the perfect time to look at the point of water baptism!
‘Baptize’ comes from a Greek word that means “to fully immerse” or “submerge”. The ancient Greeks used this word when something changed.
When they dyed fabrics they would use the word ‘baptize’.
The fabric would be baptized into the dye and then comes out changed.
Christian baptism uses the word the same way, but how does that apply to us today?
Should all Christians follow the practice of water baptism?
The Command of Baptism
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said,
“… 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.”
In this passage, Jesus commands new followers to be baptized by old followers.
If you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus then you should be baptized in water.
Baptized into Christ
We see this phrase “baptized into Christ” or “baptized in the name of”.
This baptism corresponds with identity.
In the above dye example, the fabric takes on qualities, or a new identity, after being baptized in the dye solution.
When a Christian is baptized into Christ they are saying “I identify with Jesus, and I follow Him.”
Here’s what the Bible says about baptism into Christ:
Romans 6:4-6
“We were buried therefore with [Christ] by baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”
During our baptism, we go down to identify with Christ’s death and burial.
If we identify with Christ in death, then we can identify with Christ in our new life of freedom.
An Appeal to God
The Apostle Peter confirms this message about baptism in 1 Peter 3, and he says the point is it makes an appeal to God for a good conscience.
1 Peter 3:21-22
“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
This word Peter uses is a legal term. It’s an appeal to a Judge to be pardoned, and are wanting our consciences to be clean.
