When it comes to holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the church holds a baptism ceremony. I would like to know why baptism is received and why baptism is performed with water.
Before his crucifixion, death and resurrection, the Lord made a grave request to his disciples. In Matthew 28:19-20, it says, “Go ye and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
If a person who did not know God realizes that he is a sinner, repents and accepts Jesus as the Savior, he will receive forgiveness of sins and be born again in the name of Christ. Therefore, baptism has a very important meaning as a holy ceremony commanded by the Lord Himself.
- Why you should be baptized
In the Old Testament times, circumcision was the evidence of being a child of God. Circumcision of the male genitals was a sign of the covenant between God and us. However, today, the inner circumcision of the heart is more important than the superficial circumcision performed on the body. Therefore, in the New Testament era, the Holy Spirit was given as a gift to those who received Jesus Christ without circumcision so that they could receive internal circumcision and be baptized with water to publicly testify that they are children of God.
Therefore, baptism is a rite of development of circumcision in the Old Testament times, and it is a symbolic sign that externally testifies of the grace of Christ received internally. In Matthew 3, there is a recorded scene where Jesus was also baptized with water. What is the specific reason for God’s children to be baptized with water?
First, it is to show that you are a man of God.
Although we received the Holy Spirit internally and became God’s children, there is no sign that we are God’s children externally, so we testify to the fact that we are God’s people through baptism.
Second, it is to commemorate and commemorate the receiving of the Holy Spirit itself.
Baptism is to commemorate and commemorate that we have received the Holy Spirit, that is, we are now born again and become children of God. Therefore, baptism becomes a typical sign of commemorating that we have received the Holy Spirit and become a born-again man of God.
Third, to be washed daily with the truth, which is the word of God.
Just like washing away dirty things with water, we are baptized to become good and holy children of God by washing away the appearance of dirty sins with the truth, which is the word of God.
Fourth, because baptism is an outward sign of the forgiveness of sins.
When we realize that we are sinners and accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive the forgiveness of sins in the name of Christ, we receive the authority to become children of God, and we are given the right to enter the kingdom of heaven and enjoy eternal life. This is baptism as evidence. - Why Baptism with Water
1 Peter 3:21 says, “Water now saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is baptism, not the removal of impurities from the flesh, but an appeal to God of a good conscience.” However, water cannot be a sign of salvation that gives life and washes away sins.
Water is essential for all living things in this world to sustain life. If there is no water supply, the world will soon be full of filth, and all living things will die. Therefore, water not only washes away dirt and purifies it, but it is also directly related to life. Spiritually, it means the word of God, that is, the water of eternal life.
Therefore, the Lord emphasized the need to be born again of water and the Spirit, saying in John 3:5, “Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When you hear and understand the word of God, which is the water, you must feed it into your heart and keep it to practice, because the dirty sins in your heart are thrown away, and you are entitled to enter the kingdom of heaven. that you can.
Therefore, baptism is done with water, and because God who cleanses all sins is with us, we receive the forgiveness of sins, receive life, and become a holy child of God. - Time of Baptism
Water baptism before the coming of the Holy Spirit is different from water baptism today. Water baptism, given in a situation where the Holy Spirit had not yet come, was a sign of repentance and salvation. So, 10 days after the Lord was resurrected and ascended into heaven, when the Holy Spirit came, the Holy Spirit came upon those who were baptized with water before that, and we can see that they were saved.
Also, in Acts 8:16-17, even after the Holy Spirit came, there were some who were baptized with water without knowing the Holy Spirit. In this way, there are cases where we receive water baptism without receiving the Holy Spirit, but today, it is right to receive water baptism after we open our hearts, receive the Holy Spirit, and receive the Lord as our Savior. However, there are still some cases where they receive water baptism first, then open their hearts and receive the Lord as their Savior and receive the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 10:47, 48, “Then Peter said to them, “Who can forbid baptism with water, since these have received the Holy Spirit as we have?” And he commanded, “Baptize in the name of Jesus Christ.” In other words, anyone who has received the Holy Spirit has the right to be baptized with water.
However, in general, each denomination’s law stipulates that after registering with the church, studying for six months, and then receiving baptism after another six months have passed. This is to teach them to listen and learn the word of God for a certain period of time, lead them to understand and know the truth, and then receive baptism to teach them to remain faithful in their faith until the Lord comes.
Therefore, baptism is given to those who have the assurance of receiving the Holy Spirit and the assurance of salvation in their hearts, and those who are baptized will live in the conviction that they are children of God.
