The Importance of Baptism

September 20, 2019 | Uncategorized

Baptism classes will be offered in October.  Those wishing to be baptized should attend one class, either October 6 or 13.  Classes will be held at 9:00 am, 10:30 am and 12 noon in The Meeting Place, across from Guest Central. The baptismal service will take place on October 27.

Here at King Street Church, baptism is a sacred act of obedience to our Lord.  In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells us, “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.”

Baptism also allows us to symbolically enter into the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.  Romans 6:3-4 explains, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Pastor and Author John Piper, on his site www.desiringgod.com (“What is Baptism and How Important is It?”, July 20, 2008), provides further insight into this concept when he says,

“In Romans, faith is the means by which we are united to Christ and justified. But we show this faith — we say this faith and signify this faith and symbolize this faith — with the act of baptism. Faith unites to Christ; baptism symbolizes the union. 

An analogy would be saying, ‘With this ring I thee wed.’ When we say that, we don’t mean that the ring or the putting of the ring on the finger is what makes us married. No, it shows the covenant and symbolizes the covenant, but the covenant-making vows make the marriage. So it is with faith and baptism…

Paul is saying, ‘With this baptism you are united to Christ.’ And the point we are focusing on here is that we are united to him in his death and burial and resurrection. “

In baptism, by faith, we are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism dramatically portrays what happened spiritually when you received Christ: Your old self of unbelief and rebellion and idolatry died, and a new you of faith and submission and treasuring Christ came into being. That’s what you confess to the world and to heaven when you are baptized.”

A side benefit to baptism is that it encourages the body of Christ.  When we hear the testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ, it reminds us that our story is not finished yet, and that God is always at work in our lives!

Matthew 5:16 reminds us of this fact.  The Message version is especially eloquent:  “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and you have never been baptized, please consider taking this important step in your spiritual walk in October!

 

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