The Importance of Baptism

 

Still Brewing 

Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 10:14, Colossians 3:10, 2 Peter 3:18

☕ Justified in CHRIST and continually being sanctified - we are still brewing! ☕

Still Brewing: Coffee #14

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12 years ago today, I was baptized by my dad. So, let's talk about the importance of baptism!

To break down why baptism is important, let's look at Titus 3:3-8:

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people." - Titus 3:3-8

With the topic of baptism, I wanted to start off by clarifying that baptism does not save us, only JESUS does. We see in verses 3-7, that we are saved by none of our works. For what of our own doing would save us? Verse 3 makes it so clear what our state is in our flesh. We are only saved by the HOLY SPIRIT regenerating us through JESUS' sacrifice. 

--> More verses on JESUS' sacrifice alone saving us : 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 9:12, 1 John 4:10, Romans 5:8-9

The foundation of CHRIST and HIS work is laid out for us to go into verse 8. All who believe in GOD are called to insist on these things and be careful to devote themselves to them. What are they? We are to insist and carefully devote ourselves to good works. 

Now, obviously there is a lot to unpack in good works. But, let me focus on the sole good work we are to do that drives the rest of our good works. 

“Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’” - John 6:28-29

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” - John 6:40

The work and will of GOD is for us to believe in JESUS CHRIST! This is something that overwhelms me with gratitude. No matter your circumstances in life, all our purposes are the same. We were not called to be given a check-list of levels and side-quests to complete. No, all of HIS children have the same purpose! Westminster Shorter Catechism says it so well:

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

This truth of the gospel has always brought me so much comfort and gratitude. 

Time to swing it back around to the topic! How does this all relate? Well, the good work we are called to do is believe in JESUS (which our changed hearts will then lead us to other good works). And what does CHRIST command us to do as a declaration of our faith? To be baptized! 

“Go therefore 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.” - Matthew 28:19-20

JESUS HIMSELF was baptized as an example for us to follow. (Matthew 3:13-15) It symbolizes our old self dying and then new life with CHRIST. It is a public declaration of our faith in JESUS. (Acts 2:38) And most importantly, JESUS commanded us to be baptized! 

There are so many places in Scripture about baptism. Yes, it is only JESUS' good work on the cross that saves us, as we saw in the Titus passage (and the other references), but it is clear in Scripture that if we profess that JESUS is our LORD, let us follow HIS command of baptism! 

--> Just a few references of believers getting baptized : Acts 2:41; 8:12; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15; 16:30-33; 18:8

To close, as I was preparing to write this blog, I was meditating on the overwhelming gift of JESUS' sacrifice, beautifully written in the familiar hymn, JESUS Paid it All:

"Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." 

Acts 22:16

LORD willing, see you all for our next cup of coffee together! 

- Sabina