Baptism: A Public Confession of Faith

Faith demands obedience. Baptism is a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. It is a sign of the beginning of a new life in the kingdom of God and as a follower of Jesus.

It is an outward demonstration of the old life dying with Christ and the beginning of the new life in Christ. This new life is the gift of the Holy Spirit. God,

the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ’s body and makes us one with him and his body, the church. (I Corinthians 12:13). The Christian life is to be a life in the Spirit of God.

We are to “walk” in the Spirit, (Romans 8), be filled with the Spirit, (Galatians 5) and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4).

Water baptism does not “save” us ( I Peter 3:21 ), but it does witness to our faith in Jesus, which does deliver us from sin and death. I have fond memories of my own baptism.

I was baptized three months after receiving Christ as my Lord and Savior. I remember that experience as being my own “funeral” and coming out of the water with a resolve to live the rest of my life for Jesus!

I have had my own ups and downs as a Christian. But as I look back on my baptism, I am reminded of my public decision to be a follower of Jesus.

I sometimes look at baptism as a “coming out” and celebrating my allegiance to the One who died and rose again and now reigns! I want to be His for the rest of my days on this earth! I hope you do too!

Pastor Fred