Baptism

Baptism is the primary way that we identify ourselves with Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” It truly is the first way a new believer in Jesus shows the world that he or she is all-in. The early Christians would fast and pray with the one who was seeking to be baptized, and the candidate would earnestly spend that time repenting of his or her sins. During the ceremony, the candidate would publicly renounce allegiance to Satan, and then pledge his or her life-long allegiance to the Lord Jesus.

I have found that one of the best analogies to baptism is marriage, where there is a public renunciation of the single life and the severance of any romantic ties to members of the opposite sex. An oath is given to honor this person above everyone else through anything life can bring one’s way. Interestingly, you will not hear a vow to never sin against one’s spouse. Like baptism, the marriage ceremony is a public profession to the world that you are all-in until death, and there is no turning back. Like putting the ring on your spouse’s finger, baptism is the sign of your new eternal, covenantal relationship with Jesus and your new forever family.

On the day I married Stephanie, I thought it would be romantic to surprise her during the ceremony with a song I had written for her. However, as I began to sing of my love for her, it was me who was caught off guard by the tears that filled my eyes. I rarely cry, but in that moment I began to feel such a sense of gratitude that she would choose me despite all of my failures.

In his song, I Can’t Thank You Enough, Benjamin William Hastings overflows with appreciation toward our heavenly Bridegroom:

I can't thank You enough, I can't thank You enough
For the way that You saved me, forgave me
It's outright amazing, I can't help but think it's too much
After all that You've done, I can't thank You enough

Hastings then shows the proper response to the unmatched love of Jesus, as he sings of his all-in act of baptism-like worship:

I give You all of my heart, I give You all of my heart
How could I not in the light of the cross?
I'll always be grateful, ’Cause You've always been faithful

None of us could ever repay Jesus for all that He’s done. However, we can give Him all that we are, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in heath. Baptism is not a promise to God of perfection from here on out. It is a solemn commitment of faithful unity with the Lord Jesus forever though whatever. Are you ready to go all-in?

Grace an peace,
Phil