 From the Editor |
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What Does Baptism Mean?
By Margie Marang
What does baptism mean to me? It means getting all wet from head to toes in your clothes. Is that all it means? I should say not! Before baptism there are certain things you are required to do.
Here is what Peter said about baptism. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36-38).
What do we repent of? We get rid of the “old man”. What does that mean? That means to change from being hateful and putting love in its place. Change from being antagonistic and put love and concern for others in its place. Change from wanting to “get even” and pray for love and understanding of others. Romans 6:4-7 says it best; “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin.” | |
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Your attitude has a lot to do with wanting to do good and coming to the point of baptism. You must know Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again. This is what happens when you are baptized. The water represents the grave and the old self (the old man) is buried. When you come up out of the water that represents you being raised from the dead. You have buried your “old self” and you have come up as a “new man”. Your sins are forgiven and God sees you clean and sinless. You have left your old ways behind and will now do things to please God.
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Then comes the laying on of hands. When the minister places his hands on your head he will ask that God grant you His Holy Spirit. He will ask that God’s Holy Spirit go with you for the rest of your life and it will guide and direct your mind and lead you in a way God wants you to go. When we are first converted we become babes in Christ. I John 3:7 says, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He (Christ) is righteous.” As long as you try to do your best, you are practicing righteousness and Christ keeps you free from sin. In John 3:1-2 it says, “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.” When we are baptized we become sons and daughters of God. God doesn’t want to loose any of us, so He gives us to Jesus Christ for Him to take care of us. Here is what Christ has to say. “And again: I will put my trust in Him. And again; Here am I and the children whom God has given me” (Hebrews 2:13). Another message we should heed is in John 6:37-39. “All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” Baptism means you have accepted both Jesus Christ as your savior and His gospel message. Through baptism the guilt of past sins have been washed away and His Holy Spirit will help you walk in obedience until His return. | |