Transformational Baptism

Excerpts...

Page 9 ... Jesus put John in an awkward position. John did not think that he was worthy to baptize Jesus. Jesus pressured John a little. Jesus said, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus taught John to do the right thing even when it was uncomfortable.

Baptism plunged Jesus into a new life. Jesus went from being an obscure carpenter's son, to the most popular, loved, and hated teacher of all time. Baptism moved Jesus to center stage, revealed him as the Messiah, the very Son of God.

Page 11 ... Baptism is more than a mere symbol. In baptism we put on Christ and become sons and daughters of God. Some people miss this depth by looking with only physical eyes, rather than spiritual eyes. They see the same person before and after baptism because there is no physical change, but there is a change. The baptized are adopted into the family of God. They have put on Christ and plunged into a new way of life.

Page 13 ... I do not believe that saving power resides in the physical water. I do not believe that saving power resides in faith, repentance, or confession, either. I believe that saving power resides in the blood of Christ. Let's ponder the question, "When does the blood of Jesus save?" We have four possible answers, either at faith, or repentance, or confession, or baptism.

Page 15 ... Why would anyone seek out such a radical change in their life? I think it is because, in our hearts, we know that the way of the world is a dead end. When people begin to hope that there is something better, something more fulfilling and satisfying than the empty promises of Satan, then they start seeking change, they start seeking a new life.

Page 17 ... Fully surrendering to God in baptism is challenging. We often resist surrendering to God. Pride is a tough hurdle to get over. It is difficult to admit that we have been wrong. We would rather think that we are clever, smart, and wise.

Page 20 ... After baptism, the ups and downs of life are experienced from a new perspective. We still cry at the loss of a loved one, but the tears are not empty, but rather flow with hope and expectation of meeting again. Our bodies still grow old but with the hope of a new body in the resurrection. Even negative experiences can deepen the flow of joy that began when we put Christ on in baptism.