Water baptism is one of the best things that happens at The Orchard Church! I am really looking forward to witnessing people as they are baptized this upcoming weekend. Often, people ask me why we like to make a big deal about baptism… For me, it is SO VERY important because it shows that GOD is at work among us… That LIFE CHANGE is happening in us and around us. It is great and encouraging testimony to me that the Gospel is impacting peoples’ lives.
That is why it is important to ME. But why is it important to YOU? Clearly, Jesus makes baptism a priority for every single believer.
As a follower of Jesus, I do what Jesus did.
Jesus himself was baptized… Really! If there was one guy who didn’t NEED to be baptized, it was Jesus, but he went right down into that water where John the Baptizer was. John actually tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, so why are you coming to me?”
Jesus simply says “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” (Matt 3:14-15 NLT)
Baptism was clearly pretty important to Jesus. If it was important to him, then shouldn’t it be important to his people?
As a follower of Jesus, I do what Jesus says
Jesus’ final instructions to us, his disciples, just before he returned to heaven were these:
“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
From the very first public church service, the church has practiced baptism as an identifier of life change.
Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day- about 3,000 in all.
Acts 2:41 NLT
Now, we know that baptism does not “save” you. We are saved by Jesus. He has already done everything that can be done for our salvation. It is a free gift of God, and is not earned by any work on our part at all. (Ephesians 2:8-9) So, if baptism has no “saving value,” then why do it?
Baptism IDENTIFIES me with Christ.
Just like I wear a wedding ring as a symbol of my marriage to my wife, Baptism is the outward symbol of the inward relationship with have with Christ. Biblically, it is our public profession of faith!
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:1-4 NLT
When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.* 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
Colossians 2:12 NLT
If you are a follower of Jesus, and you haven’t taken this very important first step of following him, take the opportunity this weekend to do so! Our portable baptistry will be all set up and ready to go for you. Just email me and let me know you’d like to join me, and we’ll work out the details. I am looking forward to it!