Baptism

“’Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’

Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:36-41 NIV)

Last night, we once again made our away across the field to the covered bridge, under which another student would be buried in water and raised into new life.  It is a trek we have made many times in the past year.  We gather, hear the student share his/her reasons for the decision, read Scripture, sometimes sing songs, pray, and then descend down the bank into the  river’s current.  Death.  Burial. Resurrection.  Played out before our eyes as a reminder that there is no short cut to salvation.  We must die to ourselves and our sins be buried before we can experience new life.  

There is nothing magic about the water, but the willingness to go down into it in front of dozens of people, declaring one’s intent to surrender his or her will and follow the Lord, is significant.  It is a public declaration of what is already taking place in the heart.  Death and resurrection.  A heart of stone turned into a heart of flesh.  And it declares a willingness to live one’s faith openly and unashamed.

Baptism is necessary because it prevents the illusion of a “private faith.” There is no such thing.  We believers are part of a community of faith. Yes, there are private aspects in our walks with the Lord, but we are never to be loners in our faith.  To continue to die to our sins is impossible to do alone.  Believers need each other for encouragement and accountability. (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

As we had done numerous times, after the baptism, we gathered around our new brother and prayed for him, for his new journey with the Lord.  It concluded a night of symbolism of spiritual realities.  Allowing oneself to be put to death, the sins of the past buried, resurrected into a new life that is lived out among those who hearts have been similarly transformed.   This is the power of baptism and why Peter did not just say, “Repent!”  

Today, recognize baptism is essential not because it literally saves us, but because of the story it tells and the spiritual realities it reflects.  

© Jim Musser 2015