by Troy Kearns
There will come a point in your life when the time comes to decide about taking the next step in your Christian walk. Do you press on to the next level of your faith, or do you perhaps come to realise the commitment involved in baptism and put on the brakes? It can seem scary at first because being baptised is a big decision to make and shouldn’t be entered into carelessly or flippantly. It is a decision that requires courage, counsel, prayer, and meditation.
This article is not meant to “convince you” necessarily to be baptised, but will hopefully bring out the incredible benefits you can expect when you make that commitment. At the moment you are baptized and had hands laid on you by a true minister of God and Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit is not just with you, but in you (Galatians 2:20). At that moment you are God’s spirit-begotten child and heir to His incredible promises (2 Peter 1:4).
The book of Hebrews tells us that this covenant we enter into with God when we are baptised and have hands laid on us, is a covenant based on better promises than the Old Covenant offered to ancient Israel at Mount Sinai (Hebrews 8:6). So what exactly are these promises?
- Forgiveness of sin
Talk about a weight being lifted off your shoulders! When you come to the point in your life when you realise the need for a Saviour and truly repent of your human nature and your sins, the baptism process can take place by counselling with a true minister of Jesus Christ. Even the Apostle John, Christ’s most loved disciple, admitted he was a sinner and needed forgiveness. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Then at baptism, all your past sins are washed away and you are forgiven, as you rise out of the water as “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- The Holy Spirit
It has not always been like this throughout history, but the Holy Spirit is available today to those who choose to respond to God’s calling. This is the same Spirit that has been in existence for eternity and God is offering a portion of that Spirit to reside in faithful Christians. We understand that we will never be perfect while in the flesh, but the Holy Spirit is the help we need to overcome sin. Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, it will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). And again, “However, when it, the Spirit of truth, has come, it will guide you into all truth; for it will not speak on its own authority, but whatever it hears it will speak; and it will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).
- Eternal life
While there are many physical blessings on offer to God’s people, none of them could compare to the ultimate spiritual blessing of eternal life. But for some extra “icing on the cake” so to speak, what God is offering to those He is calling now is a position of rulership in His kingdom (Revelation 5:10). As God’s spiritual firstborn children in His family, we will be given great responsibility, including ruling over nations and cities in the Millennium after Christ’s return (Luke 19:11-27). We will partake in the same level of glory and be on the same plane of existence as the glorified Jesus Christ (Romans 8:14-17).
Now may be the time for you to act on the precious truth you already have. If you believe you are ready to take the next step and start counselling for baptism, speak to your pastor.
Also, for more information and a deeper understanding of this important subject, please read the Church booklet, “Christian Baptism: Its real meaning”.
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