Baptism
Tomorrow morning in our worship service we will be having baptism for several people. It is always a blessing for me to take part in this ordinance of the church. Jesus commanded us to baptize people as they become His disciples by trusting Him as Lord of their lives. It is a privilege to obey His command.
When a person is baptized, it doesn't have any saving effect. Sins can't be washed away by water or by ritual. It is a symbolic act that shows the salvation which has already taken place. When we turn from our sins in repentance, we die to the old life. In fact, the old person we were dies.(Romans 6:6) Then, we trust Jesus as Lord, and He gives us new life. We are a new creation. (II Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, baptism shows the death by burying the person in the water, like Christ died and was laid in the tomb. Then, new life is shown by lifting them out of the water, like Christ rose from the dead. Baptism gives everyone a picture of salvation.
It also is a way that the new Christian confesses Christ before men as the Bible says we must do. This is not a work for salvation, but it shows that Jesus is Lord of our lives, because we will take this public step of obedience to Him in front of a group of people. God blesses our obedience, and this is one of the first ways a new believer can walk in obedience to Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 148-150.
When a person is baptized, it doesn't have any saving effect. Sins can't be washed away by water or by ritual. It is a symbolic act that shows the salvation which has already taken place. When we turn from our sins in repentance, we die to the old life. In fact, the old person we were dies.(Romans 6:6) Then, we trust Jesus as Lord, and He gives us new life. We are a new creation. (II Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, baptism shows the death by burying the person in the water, like Christ died and was laid in the tomb. Then, new life is shown by lifting them out of the water, like Christ rose from the dead. Baptism gives everyone a picture of salvation.
It also is a way that the new Christian confesses Christ before men as the Bible says we must do. This is not a work for salvation, but it shows that Jesus is Lord of our lives, because we will take this public step of obedience to Him in front of a group of people. God blesses our obedience, and this is one of the first ways a new believer can walk in obedience to Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 148-150.