What Does Jesus say About Baptism

Day 29

Topic: What Does Jesus say About Baptism

Text: Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 1:9-11, Acts 22:16. 

 

What is Baptism? Baptism is derived from the Greek word “Baptizo” that means to cover wholly with fluid or to make fully wet. In the New Testament, it is used as a ceremony of initiation into Christianity. Many baptisms are in water and involve complete immersion, as opposed to sprinkling (Matt. 3:16, Acts 8: 38 -39). 

 

What is the Significant of Water Baptism? Baptism is a symbolic act. It symbolizes the death, burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and can only be done by immersion. It is therefore an indication that we are dead to sin, buried and have resurrected into a new life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:3-4). It is an open declaration of the believer’s faith in Christ, through repentance from sin and total surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Repentance most therefore precede baptism and not the other way around. 

LIFE LESSONS 

 

1. Baptism is a public testimony of your faith and commitment to Jesus.                                                                                                    In the New Testament, when a new believer is baptized, he or she is making an open declaration of their faith in Jesus as others are witnessing. It is meant to announce a new believer’s entry into the Christian faith. (Mat. 3:5-6; Acts 8:36-38). 
2. It is the will of God that every believer in Christ should be baptized.                                                                                                        Baptism is an act of obedience to God, commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ himself in Matt. 28: 18-20. It is therefore mandatory for every true believer in Christ to be baptized in water. Failure to be baptized, even when you could do so is an intentional disobedience to the will of God for your life.  Jesus himself was baptized although he had no need to do so. He had no sin to confess or to repent from. However, He chose to be baptized because it is the right thing to do (Mat. 3:13-15), and he wanted to show us an example to follow in his step. Immediately after his baptism in River Jordan, heaven was opened and God the Father declared “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mat. 3:16-17).
3. Baptism Does not Save.   

Jesus never said that we need to be baptized in order to be saved.  Otherwise, that dying thief that repented on the cross wouldn’t have been saved since he had no opportunity to be baptized. Yet Jesus confirmed his salvation when He said to him “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 43). The Bible teaches that we are saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). However, true repentance and faith in Jesus, must be followed by water baptism (Acts 2:38). 

 

LIFE APPLICATIONS 

• Get Baptized.

If you are a Christian (a believer in Christ Jesus) and you have not yet had a water baptism, what are you waiting for? (See Acts 22:16). Contact the pastor of your local church and request to be baptized as soon as possible. You must follow the footsteps of your Master, Jesus to fulfil all righteousness.  

• Go Make Disciples and Get Them Baptized

Jesus last commission to you and I before He physically left this earth was to go and make disciples …and have them baptized (Mat. 28:19). As we witness the gospel to unbelievers, we must not forget to follow through with those who believe to ensure that they are baptized and get grounded in the faith.  

• Let Your Life Shine After Baptism

Since baptism is an open declaration of your repentance from sin and faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your life after baptism must be a confirmation of the change that Jesus made in you. John the Baptist urged those who came to him for water baptism to “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God” Mat. 3:8 NLT). We cannot afford toto live in sin after declaring to the world through baptism that we now belong to Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). 

LESSON OF THE DAY: 

 

Baptism is God’s way of officially initiating you to the Christian faith after you have embraced the gospel of truth. When we are baptized, we are not only obeying Jesus command, we are also fulfilling God’s righteousness. Therefore, go and be a witness for Christ and remember to always bear fruit worthy of repentance.