The Baptism-thing...

During the two years I have spent on my journey about what baptism is about and why I should do it, I have discovered the following:

Meaning of Baptism:

·         Rom 6:3-4:  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.

·        Col 2:11-12: 11When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

·        1 Pet 3: 18-21: 18Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—20those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To be baptized is to “die” of your old sinful life and to be risen again – to be born again. 

It’s like turning a new leaf once and for all.

Why it is a necessity as a believer to get baptized:

·         Mat 28:19: 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

·         Acts 2:38-39: 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 

This is a decision. You cannot lose weight if you do not decide to start living a healthy lifestyle. But once you have decided, health is guaranteed. Do you want to be healthy?

Who can get baptized?

According to the Word, only those who have repent and who believe. (And ANYONE can repent and believe)

·         Mat 28:19: 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

·         Mark 16:16: 16Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.

·         Acts 8:12: 12But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 

·         Acts 2:38: 38Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

·         Acts 2:41: 41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

·         Acts 18:8: 8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

How does one get baptized?

·         The word “baptize” is a translation of the Greek word that means “to dip” or “to submerge”

·         What the Bible says:

·         Mat 3:16

·         John 3:22-23

·         Acts 8:35-39

It is clear that one must go into/under the water to get baptized. 

This is why being baptized as a baby doesn't count - you are sprinkled, not dipped. And it is forced, not a choice YOU made. 

My baptism was a very personal and meaningful day.

I made the decision:

 not because I had to, but because I wanted to.

I wanted to repent of all of the things that I have done in my life that I wasn’t proud of;

I wanted to start living a life of blessings and abundance and joy and love.

My past held me back from letting go and being free, but repenting to God (not only for His forgiveness, but for forgiving myself as well) and getting baptized really did mark a new season of my life.

And without a doubt the BEST season of my life.

It doesn't mean that I am living a perfect life now; it means that because I once and for all committed to God and His way of thinking, I get to be renewed every single day. It is a decision I make regardless of the setbacks and the mistakes I make on a daily basis.

Sin has no hold on me anymore.

Not because I don’t sin anymore, but because when I do sin, I remind myself that I am 

born again – renewed in His love and grace and forgiveness – Every single day.

May the Holy Spirit guide you in your decision to get baptized and may you know that He will never do anything to harm you, but many things to bless and nurture you.

For more information, contact jannie@doxadeo.co.za