What happens in baptism? (2)

When we bury the old life by being baptised we are getting rid of it forever. But something more takes place in baptism. We are being raised from the burial of baptism into a complete new life. This new life is made possible because of our identification with Christ in baptism. When you grasp this truth you will have a secure and firm foundation for your Christian life.

4. You get a new identity in Christ in baptism.

In baptism you identify yourself fully with Christ and with what he has done for you. This means that you clothe yourself with Christ and find your new life and new identity in him when you are baptised. Later you can look back at what happened and be glad that you are in Jesus Christ and grateful for all he has done for you. (see Acts 2:41,47)

For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal. 3:27)

(You) have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col. 3:10)

5. In baptism you identify yourself with the people of God.

By repentance, faith and baptism you allow yourself to be saved from a corrupt generation, from worldly society (see Acts 2:40). In baptism you become a part of the Christian fellowship and are added to a local church, which becomes your spiritual home. You cannot be one with Christ without being one with those who belong to Christ.

Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.(Acts 2:41)

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47)

6. In baptism you dedicate yourself to life-long discipleship.

For Jesus, baptism was an intrinsic part of being a disciple, an apprentice and a follower of the Master. Baptism is one of the first steps on the path of obedience as a disciple of Jesus. In baptism you begin a lifetime of learning where it is expected that you will pass on all you learn to others. When you are baptised you are saying that you are willing to learn and practise all that Jesus has commanded. In this exciting process you will never be forsaken, Jesus will be with you every time you take new steps in doing what he has said.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:29-20)

7. You show your obedience to your new Lord.

To be a Christian is to turn from a self-centred life to faith in Jesus and to receive him as your Lord and Saviour. The first thing he asks you to do to show your faith and obedience is to be dipped in water, to be baptised in his name.

Baptism … the pledge of a good conscience towards God. (1 Pet. 3:21)
All the people, even the tax-collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptised by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for them, because they had not been baptised by John. (Luke 7:29-30)
Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

Exercise:

Explain the connection between baptism and …

Your new identity in Christ – (What is your identity from now on?)

The church – (Which church have you become a member of?)

The life of a disciple – (What characterises a disciple?)

Continue to memorise the Great Commission and the previous Bible verses we have given you in addition to this new one:

For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal. 3:27)