Dying and resurrecting with Jesus. The ordinance of baptism (what it is and what it is not)

 

In today’s study, we will be looking at what it means to die and resurrect with Jesus Christ (baptism). By dying and resurrecting with Christ, first of all a Christian does so in baptism, since baptism makes a Christian one with Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6, Galatians 3:27). In baptism, you are baptized to His death (Romans 6:3), your old self dies with Christ (Sin is done away with). Then you resurrect with Christ by coming to the newness of life (Romans 6:4). Here, you regain freedom from the yoke of sin. By so doing, you stop being a slave to sin. You become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), one with Christ and holy. This is what baptism depicts. It is a symbol of His death and resurrection.

WHAT THEN IS BAPTISM?

It is a Christian ordinance (rite, practice or law), commanded by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) to be carried out by Christians as a sign of their repentance, fellowship with Him in His death and resurrection, and unto a new life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:3-5). It is an open act that demonstrates the conversion of one’s heart to Christ (Luke 3:3-14, Acts 19:4).

 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BAPTISM (What it is and What it is not)

1. It is a command of God – Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus Himself was baptized to show us an example and to fulfil all righteousness (Matthew 3:13-15).
2. Baptism should come after repentance – Acts 2:38, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:1-6, Acts 19:4. It is not repentance in itself, rather it is a sign of repentance.
3. Baptism is for believers – Acts 18:8, Acts 16:30-34, Acts 8:12. A Christian should believe in Christ before he/she is baptized.
4. Baptism is a symbol of salvation, not the means of salvation. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7) baptism follows the saving faith not the other way around – 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:41.
5. Baptism is a symbol of cleansing from sin, not the means of cleansing from sin. We are cleansed by faith (Acts 15:9) and by calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). You can also read Exodus 30:17 – 20.
6. Baptism is done by immersion. There must be a burying and it should be done once because Jesus died once and resurrected once – Ephesians 4:5.
7. Infant baptism is not advised because a Christian must first of all believe, repent and then be baptized – Acts 2:39, 41; Acts 18:8; Acts 16:30-34.
8. Baptism is not being born again.

SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM

1. It symbolizes one’s salvation – Mark 16:16.
2. It shows a Christian’s good conscience towards God – 1 Peter 3:21.
3. It shows a Christian’s connection to Jesus – Galatians 3:27.
4. It shows a Christian’s oneness with Christ – Ephesians 4:4-6.
5. It makes us children of God – Galatians 3:26-29.
6. It is a form of identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection – Romans 6:3-5.
7. It is a form identification with the universal church of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Notable baptisms in the Bible

1. The baptism of Jesus Christ – Matthew 3:13-17.
2. Baptism of the people of Jerusalem – Mark 1:4-5.
3. The three thousand souls – Acts 2:41.
4. The Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8:26-40.
5. Baptism of Paul – Acts 9:18.
6. The baptism of Cornelius and his family – Acts 10:37, 47-48.
7. Baptism of the keeper of the prison and his household – Acts 16:27-34.
8. Baptism of Crispus, his household and Corinthians – Acts 18:8.

Conclusion

As seen in the study, it is expected that every Christian/believer should be baptized after repentance as Christ commanded in Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”. This way, a Christian openly shows his allegiance to Jesus Christ and association with other Christians who are part of the universal church of Christ.

 

Pastor Oladimeji A.

 

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