Jesus: The Baptized

As I look at this lake I am reminded of an evangelist in the Bible named Philip. He was led by God to a man from Ethiopia who was on his way home riding in a carriage and reading a passage in Isaiah:

Acts 8:32–38 (NLT) The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this [Isaiah 53:7-8] : “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The [man] asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. 36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the [man] said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Two weeks ago we had a water baptismal service at the church I pastor in Blairsville.

Before that service I explained the significance of water baptism as it is revealed in:

Romans 6:3–11 (NLT) Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Water Baptism tells us about Jesus:

First, according to John 1:31-34, not just Baptism, but Jesus’ baptism tells us that Jesus is the Messiah, the One promised in the Old Testament, the One who will save humanity from their sin and give them eternal life.

John 1:31–34 (NASB95) “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Next, according to what I just read in Romans 6, OUR Baptism, done after we repent of our sins and surrender control of our lives to Jesus tells us that Jesus died for our sins, but He is not dead, He was also resurrected from the dead — never to die again.

Every other “resurrection” including those Jesus raised from the dead, were just revivals, resuscitation — even Lazarus who was dead 4 days — because they all died a second time.

Jesus rose from the dead NEVER to die again.

Water baptism reminds us of that truth.

For Us

Water Baptism also reminds us, as verses 5-6 say, that we are “united with Him...”

In the likeness of His death.

In the hope of the resurrection that we will experience.

Baptism is a sign that we have decided to follow Jesus and we won’t turn back.

It doesn’t save us: repentance and surrender in faith do that.

Water Baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience.

Water baptism not only speaks of what Jesus did on the cross and at the empty tomb, but it reminds us that as verse 5 says:

Romans 6:5 (NASB95) For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 6:8 (NASB95) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

Baptism reminds us of the certainty that WE will experience the resurrection.

It reminds us that sin doesn’t have the final word.

Romans 6:6–7 (NASB95) knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

I like that!

No longer slaves.

Not just no longer slaves to sin, but no longer slaves to fear.

Finally, water baptism reminds us of life.

Living for God.

Romans 6:10–11 (NASB95) For the death that [Jesus] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Just like Jesus lives to God, so we, when we rise out of that water, rise to live for Him.

Call for Salvation

Maybe you need to turn to Jesus for the first time.

Maybe you need to rededicate yourself to listening to God’s voice.