New Life: Baptism - Revelation'S New Life For A New Millennium

THE
NEW LIFE
BAPTISM - REVELATION’S NEW
LIFE FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM
WHAT IS BAPTISM AND
WHY SHOULD WE DO IT?
Have you ever wanted to start over in life? Do you want that feeling of a
brand new, fresh start? The Bible tells us how this is possible. Baptism is a
symbolic act that is thoroughly covered in the Bible. We will look at the new
life– a fresh start that is freely available through Jesus.
JESUS’ BAPTISM
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan river to be baptized by John. But John
said to Him, “‘I need to be baptized by you, so why are you coming to me?’
Jesus replied, ‘It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.’
So John agreed to baptize Him” (Matthew 3:13-15). Jesus is immersed in
the water and, as Jesus comes out of the water, His ministry begins.
Baptism is a crucial part of the Christian life. Not only was Jesus baptized
as an example to us, but He also strongly admonished His people to be baptized,
presenting it as a symbol of our willingness to accept the Gospel of Jesus.
BAPTISM IS A PROCLAMATION
The book of Revelation reveals a God of incredible love who never forces our allegiance or coerces our will. He invites
us to come to Him freely. He says in Revelation 22:17, “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Jesus is pictured as the Lamb who dies to gain our ultimate freedom. God is calling people to be faithful to Him.
He is calling them to lovingly keep His commandments. Jesus invites them to publicly acknowledge and proclaim
their loyalty to Him.
How do we take a stand? Jesus instructed His disciples in Matthew 28:19, 20: “‘Go therefore and make disciples of
all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
Through baptism we declare our allegiance by proclaiming we are with Jesus!
SPRINKLING OR
POURING WON’T DO
The Bible declares that there is only “When He had been baptized, We need a lot more than sprinkling.
one true method of baptism in Jesus came up immediately from the We want to be totally cleansed. In fact,
Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, water; and behold, the heavens were the Greek word “baptizo” or “baptize”
one baptism”. If so, then there is only opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit means “to dip”, “to immerse”.
one biblical method and we certainly of God descending like a dove and Romans 6:3-4 says, “Or do you not
cannot go wrong by following Jesus’ alighting upon Him. And suddenly a know that as many of us as were
example! What example is this? voice came from heaven, saying, baptized into Christ Jesus were
We find glimpses of it in Mark 1:9, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom baptized into His death? Therefore
where it reads, “It came to pass in I am well pleased.’” we were buried with Him through
those days that Jesus came from baptism into death, that just as
Nazareth of Galilee, and was When Christ was baptized, He went Christ was raised from the dead by
baptized by John in the Jordan.” down into the water and came up out the glory of the Father, even so we
of the water. Jesus’ baptism was by also should walk in newness of life.”
Matthew 3:16, 17 also paints a full immersion! How can sprinkling or pouring convey
beautiful image of the interaction this message? When you go into that
between God and His son, Jesus, The whole person must be immersed, water, you are saying, “Lord, I want
following His baptism: because the whole person has sinned. my old life to be buried and I want a
new life in Christ.”
ACCEPTING GOD’S GRACE
AND FORGIVENESS
Baptism is like burying your sins in a watery grave. So why do we still need
to confess our sins? (1 John 1:9) Baptism does not mean you are flawless;
it means you are committed. Baptism shows your commitment to Christ,
your decision to follow His ways. Baptism is not the end of the Christian
life – it is just the beginning! Through it, we accept God’s mercy and begin
again with a clean slate! In Acts 2:38 we find Peter giving instruction and
encouragement saying, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . .” Accept the gift of the
Holy Spirit’s guidance “. . . and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.
Through baptism, you accept your place in the family of God, which He has
called you to since you were created: “Then those who gladly received his
word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added
to them” (Acts 2:41). How encouraging! Whatever your experience with
family in the past, God wants to restore you as His child, along with others
who– like you– desire to follow Him every day and call Him Father.
Through baptism, a person is unified with Christ. In Galatians 3:27 it explains that “For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Yes, when you are baptized your sins are forgiven. Not only is your life
cleansed, you also receive the Holy Spirit and become part of an international community of faith!
Is this cleansing, this new life, this new identity in Christ something that your heart yearns for? Is the Holy Spirit
moving on your heart right now? Is it your desire to say, “Yes Jesus! I want to stand for you” publicly?
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”
NEED PRAYER?
HAVE
QUESTIONS? VISIT US AT
AWR.ORG/BIBLE

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