TAKE A DIP

            Have you thought about getting baptized but resist the idea because perhaps you already did it as a child or you have questions about what it means?

            I was reluctant to do so until a few years ago when I joined my wife for a water baptism in the pool at church.

            If you’re hesitant, consider that Jesus was also baptized by John in the Jordan River. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to Christ’s commands. It’s the next step after salvation and it’s an important foundation for our Christian life. We don’t make the decision to get baptized as children. Our parents do that for us. But when we do it in our youth years, as teens or as adults, we are knowingly making a public declaration, giving our confession of our faith and commitment to Jesus.

            Baptism symbolizes Christ’s burial and resurrection. We enter into Christ’s death when we are immersed in water and we enter into His resurrection when we come up. It’s a symbol of our new life as a Christian. We bury our old life and we rise up to walk in a new life.

            Baptism does not make us a believer; it shows that we already are one. Baptism does not ‘save’ us; only our faith in Christ does that. Baptism confirms our stand ‘in Christ’ and affirms the blessings of our Heavenly Father on us as his children.

            For more on this topic, listen to our episode featuring an interview with Indianapolis Colts receiver Marcus Johnson. - By ROB MAADDI