Baptism: a new start, Cleansing, Resurrection, Joining, Belonging, Dedication

Baptism is a sign of death and eternal resurrection life:

Jesus Christ left his church a job to do: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’: (Matt 28:19&20)

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality

• ‘If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come’ (2 Cor 5:17)
• All sin, past, present and future is forgiven (Acts 2:38)
• Because of Christ’s death I am now holy and acceptable to God (Rom 8:1)
• I am a dwelling place for God’s Holy Spirit (1 Cor 16:19&20) God lives in me, I have new value system & I am on an exciting journey forever!

4 aspects of Baptism:

• I am baptised into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3: identification)
• I am baptised into the local & word-wide Christian Church, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12&13)
• I am baptised in water in obedience to Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, asking him to fill me with his Holy Spirit to equip me for a life of dedication and Christian service (Rom 6:4 – the word ‘buried’ imply immersion)
• Jesus planned for me to be baptised with the Holy Spirit: ‘on one occasion he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-8)

Peter’s advice to all:

‘Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your chiildren and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call’: Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and that times of refreshing amy come from the Lord’: (Acts 2:38 & 3:17)

Baptism in our church:

In our kind of church (new Church) we don’t christen babies, but dedicate them to the Lord, looking forward to the day when as responsible teenagers or adults they will choose for themselves to make a public declaration of their faith through full immersion baptism.

The symbolism of Baptism:

Baptism is symbolic; the person born with a fallen human nature chooses to ‘die’: (going down into the water symbolising a body being laid in the ground). They then rise up out of the water (the ‘grave’) as a new person who will live forever with a new holy spiritual nature given by God. This ‘rising up’ is acting out what will happen on the Day of Christ when we are resurrected to eternal life with him! By being baptised, you are saying to everyone looking on and to the spiritual world all arounf (angels & demons) that you have died to your old self and are now alive in Christ forever! ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom 10:13). This ‘transfer’ took place the moment you believed. Baptism is an acknowledgement of that moment. You’re also obeying the teaching of the NT to ‘believe and be baptised’. ‘Whover believes and is baptised will be saved’ (Mark 16:16)

If you have a concordance, go through all the references to baptise, baptism, baptised (sometimes it’s spelt with a ‘z’ – baptized). The word baptise means to be totally flooded with water inside and out, like a cup immersed in a bowl of water; the outward water baptism is linked to inner spiritual transformation and receiving the Baptism of the Spirit (which can occur at the point of salvation or later on as being (re)filled with the Holy Spirit). It’s hard to describe in words, just better to believe God wants you filled with the Spirit to give you power for a life of Christian service.

To prepare yourself spiritually spend time in thoughtful prayer, thinking through this action you are about to take. Ask God to cleanse you and purify you through and through and fill you with the Holy Spirit as above.

To prepare yourself practically wear sensible clothes you are OK about getting wet, we find trousers and a tee-shirt best, with ladies wearing swimsuits underneath. Bring spare clothing and a substantial towel and ask someone to assist you. We will help you down into the baptistery and give you instructions beforehand.

What does baptism symbolise?

• A new start with Jesus Christ
• Washing and cleansing inside + being filled with the Holy Spirit
• Dying and rising again forever
• Joining and belonging to a family
• Obeying and dedicating my life

Jesus Christ gives you a job to do: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’: (Matt 28:19&20)

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

For further help and information please contact us: info@lakesideperton.co.uk