God’s rubric: Jesus was baptized

I told my parents I wanted to follow Jesus all the days of my life and be baptized.

There were several reasons why I wanted to be baptized:

For one, Jesus was baptized and I had been taught that his life and actions set the standard for me to follow in his footsteps.

I had another reason: Matthew 3:15, quotes Jesus, “for we must carry out all that God requires.” Honestly I didn’t know why God required baptism, but I wasn’t’ going to argue with him!  

I also chose baptism because I understood its symbolism. Read the following verses for a deeper understanding  and insight into this Christian tradition:

Acts 2:38 “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.

Baptism is one of several steps confirming in our lives and reminding us that we are forgiven.

Romans 6:3-5, Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism. ⁴ When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.⁵ Christ died, and we have been joined with him by dying too. So we will also be joined with him by rising from the dead as he did. (NCV)

Baptism is symbolic of being given a new life, and: .

Colossians 2:12, “For 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.” (NLT)

Ezekiel 36:23-26 sums up all of baptism. It is washing off the old, putting on new clothes, purifying, starting over. And who doesn’t like to be clean, to put on new clothes, to have a second chance?

“ ‘When I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes,’ says the Sovereign Lord, ‘then the nations will know that I am the Lord.  For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heartAnd I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.’ ” (NLT)

As I study God’s Word, I’m moved, I’m excited! His Word is true! When I see his lessons repeated I know that I am on the right track. Early in this study we read about ‘taking the land’ and following his decrees and regulations’ and “casting away all idols”.  (read days one and two of our study- 1/31 and 2/2)

Here are just two more verses about baptism, but there are more. I encourage you to do your own search. Who knows someone may as you one day about baptism and you will have the confidence to give a bit of insight.

Galatians 3:26-27, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” (NLT)

Titus 3:4-6, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,  he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (NLT)

“See you” next week. Meanwhile remember, we not only study God’s Word to enlighten ourselves but to…

“Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” 1 Peter 3:14-18, (MSG)