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The Way of Baptism, Part 3
THE
MEANING OF BAPTISM
by Lisa Panasuk and Andrew & Matthew
Hohnberger with YD
Staff
Part 1
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What exactly does it mean to be baptized? Is it just something we need to do in order to become members of the church, or is there a deeper meaning?
Here’s an answer we found in Evangelism, page 309: “Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus.” John said it this way: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance” (Matthew 3:11).
Repentance is more than quickly telling God we’re sorry for all our sins. True “repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it” (Steps to Christ, page 23).
Baptism is a symbol of our cleansing from sin!
The Desire of Ages, page 104 says, “John proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, and called the people to repentance. As a symbol of cleansing from sin, he baptized them in the waters of the Jordan.”
Baptism is a symbol of death, burial, and resurrection.
Colossians 2:12 says, “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” When we are baptized, we are showing that our old sinful self is dead, that our sins are “buried” with Jesus, and that we are beginning a new life with Christ.
A beautiful white lily is a good illustration of this experience. In order for a new lily to grow, the old wilted flower and stem have to die and fall off. Then the bulbs are separated, and planted deep in the earth. Soon little green stems grow up through the ground. Finally they develop into beautiful, pure, white lilies. This is what our experience should be. Only after we die to our former sinful ways can we begin to grow according to God’s plan. As He teaches us new things and brings new things to our attention, we can say “Yes, Lord, I will allow You to do this in my life. Yes, Lord, I give you this sin.” As we continue to yield our will to Christ’s will, we will become more and more like our perfect example. At last we will be like the beautiful, pure, white lily in full bloom. We will reflect the perfect loveliness of Jesus!
Baptism is a public statement that we have changed masters.
“Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit . . . declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan, and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command, ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing” (Evangelism,
page 307). When we are baptized, we show the world that we have chosen Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and that we are willing to live for Him.
Baptism is the sign of entrance to God’s Kingdom.
“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Evangelism,
page 307).
The more we understand about baptism, the more exciting it becomes! How sad it would be to get baptized without knowing what it really means!
Part 1
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| 5 | 6 | 7
| 8 | 9 | 10
| 11
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