Baptism Today
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 13 Feb 2011 in From Steve's Study ::
It’s a great joy to take part in a baptism. In our 9.45am service this morning we have the privilege of baptizing Jessica Jackson. Baptism is a simple ceremony of washing in water, practiced by Christians since the time of Jesus. As we shall see in today’s passage (Matt 3:1-17), even Jesus was baptised. But what’s it all about?
As with most issues, there are some differing opinions about baptism around, but it seems to me that there are at least two reasons that Baptism plays a significant part in the life of a Christian.
Firstly, it is a sign of inclusion in God’s people. The Jews around Jesus’ time would baptise Gentiles who wanted to join them as a sign of the washing away of their ritual impurity. Jesus himself was baptized, at least partly, because he wanted to identify with all Israel, indeed with all people. He was fully human and underwent baptism as a sign that he was one with us. So too, today we baptise people as a sign that they are “one of us”. Andrew and Jenny have asked to have Jessica baptised because they want it to be clear that she will grow up as a Christian & that they will do everything in their power to help this happen.
The second significant meaning of baptism is the fact that the “washing” in water symbolises the fact that we all need to be washed. All of us have “blotted our copybooks” before God, either through outright rebellion against him, or through simply ignoring his call over us. As a result, we are all morally “stained” before God and in need of cleansing. Baptism is a symbol of that cleansing. Of course, as John the Baptiser points out, it is not the symbol itself that makes you clean, but rather the repentance that accompanies it. This repentance is effective because of the death of Jesus on our behalf, as he payed the penalty for our rebellion.
So, today, we welcome Jessica into the family of God & pray that as she grows, she might continue to keep her faith in the Lord Jesus & so inherit, with us, eternal life.
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