What is baptism

It is:
1. a symbol of belonging to the church
2. a symbol, and has no power to save
3. a symbol of the gospel: dead to sin, alive to Christ!

1. It is a symbol of belonging to the church

Why do we baptise? Because Jesus told us to.

Mt 28:18–20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

So baptism is for disciples. A symbol, public symbol, of belonging to Jesus.

Just like circumcision was the symbol of belonging to God’s people, the Jews, in the Old Testament, so baptism is the symbol of belonging to God’s people, the church, in the New. Today when we baptise Mia and Tori and Marit we are saying welcome to the worldwide Church, that community of believers throughout time and space – and welcome to the local representative of the Church: Rock International Church.

It is a symbol of belonging to the church

2. It is a symbol, and has no power to save

Just like circumcision, baptism has no power to save, no spiritual power within itself. There were many circumcised Jews who were far away from God and did not belong to him, even though they had the outward symbol – and there are many baptised people today who are far away from God, and face his anger and judgement, even though they have the outward symbol of baptism.

Baptism cannot save. Only faith in Christ Jesus can save. Only his blood can wash away sin – water cannot. Only his resurrection can bring you new life – baptism cannot.

It is a symbol, and has no power to save

3. It is a symbol of the gospel: dead to sin, alive to Christ!

What does it symbolise. It symbolises Christ’s blood washing away our sin (all sin, past, present and future). It symbolises dying to your old life (as you go under the water), and rising to new life in Christ (as you emerge from the water). Death, to life. Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Rom 6:3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 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.

It is a symbol of the gospel: dead to sin, alive to Christ!

So, baptism is a symbol of belonging to the church. Baptism is a symbol, and has no power to save. And baptism is a symbol of the gospel: dead to sin, alive to Christ!