Why Water?
There are many perspectives when it comes to water. Some people love it. They love to look at it, play in it and will spend time on it at every opportunity they get. Others enjoy looking, but will not touch it unless it’s absolutely necessary. And of course there are those that can take it or leave it. They prefer to view the mountains or prairie or woodlands.
Regardless of our opinion on water, it’s clear that Biblical baptism includes water and a lot of it. In Jesus’s day, when people were baptized it required stepping into a river or lake to be fully submerged in the water, trusting whoever is doing the baptizing will bring the one being baptized back to the surface. Trust is required to be baptized and being baptized is an expectation placed on any and all that confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
One of reason we are to be baptized is found in Romans 6:4. Paul explains it like this:
“We are therefore buried with Him [Jesus] through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may have a new life.”
So why water? Couldn’t there have been another way to show a commitment to Christ and rebirth? Maybe making a statement or a speech or shouting from a mountain top would be sufficient? Why is it necessary to proclaim our commitment to the world at all? Isn’t our faith personal, just between us, as a believer, and Jesus?
Although faith is a personal decision, Jesus made it clear in the Great Commission (Read Matthew 28:18-20) that we are to go and share His story with the world. His command is for us to make disciples of all people, not keep our commitment and salvation to ourselves. Verse 19a lays it out like this:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing then in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.”
Emersion in water seems to be the perfect and only method we have here on earth that so fully and symbolically replicates the death and resurrection of Christ. It’s quite ingenious actually. No other simple act holds all the elements of Christ journey that brought us salvation:
Accepting Salvation: We agree to do God’s will as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane when He obeyed and accepted God’s call to be crucified.
Taking steps in following God: We walk willingly into the water as Jesus walk willingly to His trial.
Trusting in God: We go under the water to symbolically die as Jesus trusted God and went to die on the cross.
Resurrected as Christ: We are lifted out of the water by another as Jesus was brought back to life by another – God the Father.
New life: We walk out of the water a new person as Jesus walked out of the tomb a new person, He was no longer in His earthly body but now occupied a new glorified body.
Seeking lost souls: Daily we are to live to reach others for Christ as our Lord continues to seek the lost.
And all that is needed for baptism is water – no complicated mechanics, no particular location, and no preparation other than accepting salvation and a willingness to follow God. Ingenious indeed.
Have you taken the step of baptism? If not, what’s holding you back? Do you need to accept salvation and the gifts of forgiveness and joy? You can do so today. Click here to learn more about accepting Christ into your life.
If you have accepted the gift of salvation, is there another reason? Ask God to meet whatever need that you have so you are able to move toward trusting God and being baptized. You can get connected with Severn Run staff to participate or just ask questions about baptism. To do so you can text “Baptism” to 410-936-4252 or click here learn more.
If you have been baptized, God’s ingenious plan did not end when you walked out of the water. Instead, that was a brand new beginning of your life. Take that new beginning and open the door every day and see what it means for you to be living your baptism. Consider growing your faith and learning more by getting involved with a Connect Group. Find a group, by clicking this link.
Baptism is a life changing experience and that’s exactly why God would want, no expect us all, to include it in our faith journey!
JW