Baptism: A Picture of Christ’s Death, Burial and Resurrection
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, I love the picture that a baptismal service presents. Help me fully appreciate the full meaning of baptism. Amen
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:3-8 NIV
REFLECT:
In the early years of my serving in the church we would have the “altar call” at the end of the sermon. When people answered the invitation, the minister would ask for their confession of faith before the congregation. Baptism always followed immediately after this. While we were waiting for the baptism to occur the congregation would sing a hymn appropriate to a baptismal service. Then a church leader would be asked to read a Scripture to prepare the congregation for the baptism.
When I was asked to choose a Scripture and read it, I often chose this passage from Romans 6:3-8. I felt that it truly represented what the baptism was about. Being immersed under the water represented that the participant was uniting with Christ in His death for his/her sins. The baptizer would always say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Coming up out the water represented being raised to a new life. We are no longer slaves to sin because we died with Christ and are free to live with Him. After the baptism the congregation would often sing the chorus, “Now I Belong to Jesus.”
APPLY:
Being baptized is not the end, but the beginning. Baptized individuals need to grow in faith and the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” If we don’t continue growing in the Lord, we will wither.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, help me to continue growing in my Christian walk. Amen