Baptism

This past summer, three of my great-grandsons accepted Jesus as their Lord.  The oldest, now in the 7th grade, was at our Youth summer camp.  His two younger brothers went to the Children’s camp. First GGS made his profession of faith at camp.  Since this is a big step, not to be taken lightly nor as peer pressure, he has spent time since talking with his parents as well as his Sunday School teacher and our pastor to be certain he understands this decision before being baptized.

Second GGS made his profession of faith Tuesday during Vacation Bible School.  Once again, due to his youth, adults counsel with him to be certain he’s not simply following his brother instead of making a personal decision. Then, on Thursday, Third GGS made his profession of faith, too.

Sunday, they and their father were baptized by our Pastor.  Baptism is a big step – or, better put, it SHOULD be a big step.  Following His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus came to be baptized by John.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (Matthew 3:13 KJV)

There is so much more in this chapter about baptism.  John’s was to be different from Christ’s:

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 KJV)

Jesus did not baptize while here on earth, but His disciples did:

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (John 4:2 KJV)

But He did promise the baptism John preached, and more:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5 KJV)

What if a person was baptized, then discovered there was something different?  It has happened:

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-5 KJV)

Were baptized, though they had been previously.  They were following the example of their Lord and Savior.  Because of the difference in doctrine between denominations, some have membership requirements that call for rebaptism.  Just as John’s disciples were baptized again, as an indication of their understanding of those very differences. It was this symbolic step taken Sunday by my First Grandson, father to the three GGS’s, leading the way for his sons.

For us it is not a physical washing away of sin. But it is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, Christ, who does remove sins in our life.  For that, I am eternally grateful.