Baptism

Repent and be baptized

Many people wonder why they have to be baptized.  Some have thought it was a mystical thing that worked wonders.  Well, God can work wonders in any way and in any place and at any time of his choosing.  That isn't the reason that the bible gives us.  We do, however have instruction to be baptized.  As I researched, I found a few explanations .  one was that in ancient Judaism baptism was a sacramental ceremony that was used to symbolize purification and at the removal of sin, or could be used as an initiation to consecrate a change of station, or a conversion.  (Preserving Bible Times, Dr. John C. Martin.)

Matthew 3:11 is where John the Baptist tells his followers that he will baptize them with water for repentance, "but one is coming who will baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit."

Galatians 3:27 "for all of you who were baptized with Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Romans 6:3-4 reminds us that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus "Were baptized into his death? We were 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."

Colossians 2:12
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins.

1Peter 3:21 "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also- not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience towards God.  It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38
"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."

Baptism is an important part of the Christian experience.  It's more than the sprinkling that you receive when you're a baby.  That is an act of a promise your parents make to God about you.  Your own baptism is your surrender to Christ and your decision to lay down the old  and take up the new.  Jesus was baptized and so we follow Him into baptism and resurrection.  If you haven't received Christ as your savior and you would like to do that now, simply repeat the sinners prayer with me. Then get in to a bible believing bible teaching church.  Join and be baptized.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I come to you confessing that I am a sinner.  I ask you Lord God to forgive me of my sins and wipe them away.  Wash me Lord as pure as snow.  I believe that you are Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God.  I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again on the third day.  I thank you that you have taken the keys of sin and death and that when my time comes my eternity will be spent with you in heaven.  I ask you for grace and mercy.  Come into my heart.  Come into my life.  Help me to be what you want me to be.  All this I ask in Jesus name.  Amen.