Baptism...The Great Exchange

What Is Baptism?

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Baptism

BAPTISM (βάπτισμα, baptisma). The act of washing in water as part of a purification ritual. The rite of formal initiation into the Christian church through water. Regarded by many Christian groups as a sacrament (though some groups prefer the term ordinance). Though several allusions to baptism exist in the Old Testament, baptism is primarily a New Testament concept.

Water Baptism is our 6th Fundamental Truth...The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.

Matthew 3:13–17 NKJV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Baptism Was Necessary For Jesus

Jesus said that it was necessary for Him to be baptized in order to fulfill righteousness.

Leviticus 16:4 NKJV

He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.

Galatians 4:4–5 NKJV

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Jesus came to satisfy every requirement and accomplish something that nobody else would ever be able to do.

Water Baptism for Jesus was a public statement that He was set apart for God’s purposes. Water Baptism for you and I is much the same. We’re making a public declaration that we’ve been set apart for the work of the Lord.

Through Baptism Jesus Identifies With Us

Jesus had never sinned Himself. He ad nothing to repent of in His life. He nothing in His life that He needed to change. Jesus would satisfy righteousness and identify with our need of repentance through this Baptism.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:21–25 NKJV

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

In the same way that Jesus found it necessary, so should we. We’ve been called to follow in His footsteps.

Now that we’ve made a public declaration we must bare the fruit of repentance. There is a great exchange that must take place.

The Great Exchange

Romans 6:3–11 NKJV

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I accepted Jesus as my savior there was an exchange that took place. When He died on that cross and was buried in that grave, He put to death my sins. He crucified what I brought to the table.

Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is what I brought to Jesus when I accepted Him as my savior. I will always be grateful for the work of Jesus in my life. He took all my works of flesh and death and exchanged them for Spirit and life!

Bear Fruit Worthy Of Repentance

Galatians 5:22–25 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

I was not worthy then and I am not worthy now of His amazing grace. I gladly accept His call to repentance. I gladly declare that I am set apart for His good works. You see outside of Him I’m nothing more than a Pharisee, a brood of vipers.

However, because He crucified my flesh and buried my sins I am now free to live an abundant life. I’m now free to produce Fruit of the Spirit!

Call To Action

Would you accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation today? Would you exchange your sins for His forgiveness?

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name, Amen