“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Gal 3:26-27

There are only two set ordinances that the Lord through the bible urges the believer to practice in. Other than reading your bible, prayer, worship etc, communion (or breaking of bread) is one, the other is Baptism.
Baptism comes from the word “baptizo” which means to dye or to cover. It was used in the textile world as a term to change the colour of a garment. A piece of cloth was baptised in a particular colour and it took on a new form from then on.
The symbolism of baptism comes from this point and is probably why this word was used in the church and by Jesus.
It is not a means of salvation, the bible is very clear that a person must first believe and repent, and it is therefore an act only a believer should participate in.
The main reason for baptism is to declare your allegiance to Christ, by being baptised you are identifying yourself with Christ. As it says in this weeks verse, we are united with him.
Baptism is a symbol of the new life that we have in Christ, we once were clothed in self, now we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We put on new clothes.
When we participate in baptism we go into the water, we go under the water, and we come back up again.
This symbolises that sin has been dealt with. We have declared that we are sinners by needing washing, we have buried our sin by going under with it and we rise up again clean in Christ having left our sin behind us.

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. Romans 6:4

As we share with Christ in his sufferings and death we will also share with him in Glory.

On March 29th we are holding a Baptism for Crestwood Church at Hanbury Hill Baptist Church in Stourbridge. If any one is thinking about Baptism or would like to know more about it, please speak with one of the elders.

Labels: Baptism, Identify, Immersion