Baptism
Baptism is the beginning of our faith and a start to our journey of slavation. It is the first step after believing and repenting of our sins. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the church, and are made citizens of the kingdom of God. Baptism is a response to God's command, and so doing fulfills the will of God.
Acts 2:38 commands that we should repent of our sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We witnessed the early church obey this command and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as promised. Baptism is a command from God; it is not merely a choice; it is part of our process to salvation, just like getting a job and going through a background check is part of the process for employment. If you simply apply, you will not get the job; you have to go through the process the company you want to work for requires. In 1 Peter 3:21, we know that baptism saves; it is an appeal to God for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:16, we are told that he who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he goes on to say that he who does not believe will be condemned. The gift of the Holy Spirit is promised after baptism, and in John 3:5, Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth: unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. This is the new birth of the believer, and it takes place through baptism and is critical to the sustainability of our faith and the victory over sin. In Acts 22:16, Ananias said to Paul, ”And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
Baptism is a mandate that now saves as a result of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.
In Titus 3:5, we learn that God saved us, but not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit; this washing is baptism, and in 1 Peter 3:21, “Baptism now saves you.” Baptism brings forgiveness of sins; it brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only believers can have the Holy Sprit because it is a promise only to believers, but baptism brings salvation; it saves our souls. In Romans 6:3–4, Paul taught the church that the blood of Jesus Christ redeems us from death through baptism (Peter 3:14–22; 4:1).
Baptism is by immersion in water; this is a command by God followed by the apostles and seeing practices throughout Christian history; our appeals to salvation are to know the way to righteousness and to obey it; this is the source of our hunger for salvation. In Matthew 28:19, there is a command to teach that those who believe in Christ and repent should be baptized by immersion. The practice of baptism in Matthew 3:13–17 describes Jesus being baptized by immersion in the Jordan River. In Acts 8:36–38, it describes Philip and another man going down into the water for baptism. In Colossians 2:12, Paul describes baptism as a burial. Baptism by immersion is a public declaration of faith in Christ and symbolizes his death, burial, and resurrection. It can also represent the start of a Christian life and a believer’s testimony of their faith in Jesus. The word “baptize” literally means “to submerge” or “to dip.”.
God loves you because he made you and has a plan for you—a plan for good and not for evil. This is a demonstration of his love, but much greater than this is that he sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sin. Think about it: God gave his only son for you to be saved. This love of God is greater than all other love that is now and will forever exist.
Ephesians 2:4-5- “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” 1 John 4:9-10- “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” Isaiah 54:10- “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken, ”says the Lord, who has mercy on you”
