The relevance of water Baptism

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Matthew 3:6 “Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

Extra Reading: Matthew 3:1-17   

Many people who “went out” to hear John (3:5) came confessing their sins. Confession is more than simply acknowledging one’s own sinfulness; it is agreeing with God’s verdict on sin and expressing the desire to get rid of sin and live for God. After people listened to John the Baptist they were baptized. Let me say that when you wash dirty hands, the results are immediately visible. But repentance happens inside with a cleansing that isn’t seen right away. So John used a symbolic action that people could see: baptism. The Jews used baptism to initiate Gentile converts, so John’s audience was familiar with the rite. Here, John gives baptism a special meaning: It was used as a sign of repentance and forgiveness. For baptism, John needed water, and he used the Jordan River, which is about eighty five kilometres long, its main section stretching between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Jerusalem lies about thirty five kilometres west of the Jordan. Many significant events in the nation’s history took place by the Jordan River. It was here that the Israelites renewed their covenant with God before entering the Promised Land (Joshua 1-5). Here John the Baptist called them to renew their covenant with God, this time through baptism. Christians have long pondered the proper mode and timing for baptism and what it really means. Some churches have nearly abandoned baptism as a “ritual,” while others claim you can’t go to heaven without it.

Baptism is most important for all who say to God, “I belong to you.” Baptism tells everybody where your loyalties really are, who you really depend on, and what direction your life is taking. Baptism says, “I follow Jesus.” Churches practice different traditions, but all believe that baptism is the outward sign that separates people from the world and attaches them to Christ. God promises blessing to all who take this step. Baptism was the beginning of a spiritual process. John baptized people as a sign that they had asked God to forgive their sins and had decided to live as he wanted them to live. Baptism was an “outward” sign of commitment.  To be effective, it had to be accompanied by an “inward” change of attitude leading to a changed life. John’s baptism prepared a person to welcome the coming Messiah and receive his message and his baptism. The Eunuch asked Phillip to baptize him (Acts 8:26-40). Baptism is a New Testament teaching, but the word “baptize” is found in 1 Cor. 10:2. John’s baptism was not his own innovation but it came from heaven (Mark 11:30). Multitudes came to be baptized by John (Luke 3:7). John only baptized those who brought forth fruit worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8-14) which are: benevolence, kindness, love, generosity, honesty, justice, faithfulness, meekness, quietness, temperance, and contentment. Baptism means obedience to the command of Christ (Mark 16:16). It also means following Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:21). It further means fulfilling all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Baptism also means identification with Christ (Romans 6:4-13). It means identification with Christ’s death, burial and His resurrection (Romans 6:4-5).

Prayer: O God, help us to understand the meaning of baptism. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Rev. Samuel N. Modise    

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