Understanding Baptism
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is the moment God forgives your sins, He unites you with Jesus, He seals you with the indwelling Holy Spirit and He adopts you into His family as His son or daughter to walk faithfully with Him forever.
The Significance of Baptism
In the Bible, we find the account of Peter, one of Jesus' closest followers, preaching the good news about Jesus Christ. People who heard his message were deeply moved and asked, "What should we do to make things right?" Peter's response was clear:
“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.”
Let's break down what this means:
1. Trusting in Jesus
Once you understand your sin and the incredible grace that Jesus offers, you can put your trust in Him. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provide the path to salvation and reconciliation with God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Repentance
Repentance is the next step. It involves recognizing your sins and turning away from them. It's a deep acknowledgment of your need for forgiveness and a sincere desire to change your ways.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”
3. Baptism
Baptism follows repentance and trust in Jesus.
Forgiveness of Sins: Baptism is the moment when God forgives your sins. It's a fresh start, a clean slate.
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
Union with Jesus: Through baptism, you are united with Jesus Christ. You identify with His life, death, and resurrection.
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore 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.”
Indwelling Holy Spirit: Baptism is when you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes to dwell within you, guiding and empowering you on your spiritual journey.
“Peter replied, “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.”
Adoption into God's Family: Baptism signifies that you are adopted into God's family as His son or daughter. You become part of a loving, eternal family that walks faithfully with God forever.
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Your Next Step
If you're new to Christianity or have been exploring your faith, and you've come to understand your need for forgiveness and grace, then baptism is your next step. It's a beautiful expression of God's love and grace in your life, marking the beginning of your journey with Jesus.
At THE CROSSING, we welcome anyone who is ready to take this step in their faith journey. Our community is here to support and guide you through the process.
We encourage you to go through this baptism devotional to explore some of the main Biblical texts on baptism.
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If you have any questions or would like to learn more about baptism, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd love to connect with you and help you on your spiritual journey.