By Liza Alexander

I Peter 1:24-25 says “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

We see baptism in the New Testament beginning with John the Baptist and then followed by Jesus. John’s baptism as explained in the gospels (Mat3, Mk1:1-13, Luke 3:16-18, Jn1:19-34) is the baptism of repentance. The people confessed their sins and were baptized but when it came to Christ, He had no confession to make yet was baptized so as to fulfill all righteousness (Mat 3:15). Baptism is a fulfillment of righteousness, an act of obedience. Jesus baptism is a baptism into Christ. The people believed in Christ and were baptized; it was different from John’s baptism (Mat 28:19). Even those who had received John’s baptism were asked to take the baptism into Christ (Acts 19:1-7).

Baptism is a command given by Christ (Acts 2:41). Mat15:3 says, why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?. The meaning of baptism has been explained by Paul in Rom 6:1-14. Baptized into Christ implies baptized into His death in order that you may be raised from the dead through the glory of the Father with a new life (vs. 3, 4). Peter says baptism is a pledge of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 3:21). When Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council went to Jesus, Jesus said unto him, “Except you are born-again, no man can see the kingdom of God”(Jn 3:3), to enter one must be born of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5).

No one is a Christian unless he or she accepts Christ; no one can be born a Christian. It is a choice that one makes. No parent can make a child a Christian but a parent can guide and teach the child but at the end the individual decides, he has to accept, forsake sins and be born into Christ. (Rom 10:9-11, Jn 1:12).

So baptism is a step of faith. If you testify before man He will testify you before God. It is an open declaration of your stand. But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”(Luke 11:28). Don’t merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says (James1:22). Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins (James 5:17). What keeps you away from simple truth? Is it social security, afraid of having to give up things, fear of isolation? Why be a common Christian, why not be a special extraordinary Christian in the hands of the Master? What holds you back from the truth? Think about it, if it’s fear of loneliness and isolation, the Bible says in Jn 14:27, peace I leave you, peace I give you, not as the world gives. Don’t let your hearts be afraid. He has promised to send the Holy Spirit Jn 14:16 who is a Comforter, the Counselor will be with you forever.

Jn 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” It all comes back to that one question how much do I love God? Am I really in love with God or am I doing things moved by my feelings, my emotions, and choosing things according to what suits me most? We love Him because He first loved us (1Jn 4:19) How much love do we actually have? We must all examine our lives see where changes have to take place and make them. If you’re waiting for a sign saying “son, be baptized” you’d never get it, He’s given enough scriptures in His Word what more do we want. Not all who persecute Christ are struck down by light from heaven saying “why are you persecuting me”. Many times we are the cause of some delays in our life. Basics have been revealed to us and shutting oneself will only bring in delays and stunt our growth. It all comes down to obedience the act of love, the proof of our love for Him. Jn 17:15 says, He prays for us not to take us out of the world but a protection from the evil one. He has prayed for us and will take us through all situations. So take courage the Lord will be with you all. Stay blessed