Baptism Value

BAPTISM VALUE

Second of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:16-20

            Matthew 3:13:  “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John”

           

            At thirty years old, Jesus, who never sinned, was ready to begin His ministry.  In Israel two thousand years ago, this was the age when parents give their sons and daughters in marriage.  But Jesus had a different agenda.  He was following His Father’s will.  Not Joseph.  Yahweh. 

            People identify with and copy people whom we admire and respect. Kids identify with superheroes.  Jesus identified with, and obeyed His Father (John 14:31).  (Our Father in heaven).  Christians are wise to identify with and obey Jesus.

            Once Jesus gave this command to His disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (from Matthew 28:19a), baptism is no longer an option for the believer.  The many Christians who don’t believe that baptism is a command—IF they weren’t baptized as babies—fail to obey.  This is rebellion.

            Here’s four reasons to value Jesus’ command of baptism:  A.) Baptism is a public confession of one’s faith.  We claim belief that God is our Father, Jesus is His Son and our Savior.  We acknowledge that the Holy Spirit lives in us.

            B.) Humbling ourselves in obedience to baptism honors God.  This shows the world who is Lord of believers’ lives.  C.) Baptism by immersion symbolizes salvation’s power to transform old natures (buried under water) into new creations (rising out of the water) into newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4).

            D.) Public baptism draws a connection with all brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are one body under the authority of the same Lord (Colossians 1:18).

            Baptism is not a requirement for salvation.  Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace [that] you have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is a gift of God—.”  But in order to obey Jesus’ commands, those who come to Him by faith, make the decision to identify with Jesus by following Him in baptism.  For Jesus identified Himself with sinful man when He obeyed His Father—who sent John the Baptizer ahead of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3).    

Take Home Nugget   

            New believers are eager to show the world whose they are.  Veteran believers learn that God’s light needs to shine brightly by their words AND actions.  Jesus says in Mathew 5:14 that His disciples are the light of the world.  God’s light is not hidden under a bowl, but shines brightly from a stand.  James 2:17 says that faith not accompanied by action is dead.   

God wants His kids to follow their leader, Jesus.

                                                                                                                                J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Baptism Value

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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