Today we look at one of the most powerful symbols in our Christian walk, baptism. It’s a practice that launches the story of Jesus by way of his kinsman herald, John the Baptist, who proclaims the nearness of God’s kingdom and plunges people beneath the Jordan River in an act of renewal and repentance. The practice of immersion in water is part and parcel of life in Israel at the time, often accompanying sacrifices at the temple (e.g., Mary’s cleansing after giving birth to Jesus). And BTW, “baptism” as a word in Greek means to dip or submerge something.
Baptism takes on all new meaning with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It becomes the covenantal act that joins the people of God to Himself, much as the symbol of circumcision did in the former covenant. In ever instance in the New Testament, baptism is accompanied by an aspect of will, be it faith, repentance, or confession. Paul powerfully describes the moment to burial under water in the act of baptism to be the point of contact with the death and burial of Jesus, and the rising out of the water to be the point of contact with His resurrection. It is a beautiful parallel to Jesus’ victory that brings His power (and the Holy Spirit) into our lives forever!
To investigate this most important of stories further, go here.