by Casey Bearden
Do not turn away just yet.
Although this may seem like another article on baptism that you have read
before, rest assured; this is not your typical analysis. Baptism is a major
part of our identification as Christians, but after a closer look at this
divine process, there is so much more to be seen. Sometimes baptism can be seen
as a means to end, but it holds so much significance in our lives – It is a new
beginning. We are a new person. Baptism is not just a preparation for eternity,
but a preparation for the rest of our lives. Baptism affects our soul and our
person like a detailing effects a car. You are still the same person physically,
just like the car, but through the process of the “deep cleaning”, all the
dirtiness, scratches, and imperfections are gone. All the previous damage that
depreciated your value has been restored.
In order to understand the act of baptism
on a deeper level, we must focus on three areas, or questions, from the book of
Romans. First, we must decide how the Bible
illustrates it. Romans 6:3-11 (ESV) says, “ 3 Do
you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him 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. 5 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. 6 We know that our
old self[a] 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. 7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have
died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We
know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no
longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died
to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So
you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Now, take into consideration the
Greek translation of “baptizo”, which means to cleanse by dipping or
submerging. Nicander, a Greek
poet and physician, illustrates it in a very interesting, yet convincing
fashion. He stresses the
importance of the pickle making process using the act of “baptism”. First, it
should be dipped (bapto) into boiling water and then baptized (baptizo) in the
vinegar solution. The act of
baptizing the pickle caused a permanent change or transformation, just as our spiritual
baptism should do for us. Baptism
is not just an act that saves us, but it changes us and allows us to join in a
relationship with our Savior.
Second, we must
verify who qualifies for it. Romans 5:6-11 (ESV) states, “
6 For while we
were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For
one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person
one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in
that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since,
therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved
by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are
reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that,
we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now
received reconciliation.” Here,
Paul is referring to the entire human race. We have all been
enemies of God through our sinfulness, but Christ gave us a way out (also
reference 1 Timothy 1:8 – 17
& 2 Peter 3:9).
In
addition, we must determine if we can live without it. Mark 16:16 tells us that we cannot. However, it shouldn’t be viewed as
something we cannot live without simply because of its eternal implications. The knowledge and understanding of
what baptism is and what it does for us in our lives should change us in such a
way that we do not want to live without it or want anyone else to live without,
either.
Finally, look at the change in the security and strength that God brings to us
through salvation. Romans 6:12-14 (ESV) says, “12 Let not sin therefore
reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do
not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present
yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your
members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin
will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Jesus died for us, in our place, so that we could be saved and have a
relationship with Him. No one is too far gone or has committed too harsh of a
sin to be withheld from God. That is why baptism is so great – it cleanses us and
washes us clean again… just like the car and the pickle. The baptism of Christ
will continually cleanse us and change us, as long as we stay faithful to Him.
Our mission is to remember that the message of baptism does not stop with us
after we have been saved, but becomes even more important as we get to share
that message with others so they can be saved as well. Concluding with a
message from 2 Corinthians, Paul writes,
“ 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade
others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your
conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but
giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who
boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For
if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is
for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have
concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and
he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but
for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one
according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the
flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new
has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ
reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that
is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, not counting their
trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore,
we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you
on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he
made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.” Blessings.
Casey’s Bio: Casey is the Youth
Minister at the West Milton Church of Christ in Pace, FL. He has served in this
capacity for over 3 years with his wife, Leanne. He also serves as a
co-director of the Middle School week at Gulf Coast Bible Camp, and teaches at
many of the youth events held in the southeastern United States. He is
currently working to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and Youth
Ministry from Faulkner University.
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