. . . having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12 ESV)
This Sunday, our church has the privilege to witness 3 baptisms. Baptism is a Christ-instituted sacrament given to those who place their faith in him. It is a step of obedience, an initiation into the local church, and a public declaration of our new life in Christ.
When we as a church come to a baptism service, we are not merely watching a performance. Rather, we are witnesses to the work of God in the life of a redeemed sinner. As witnesses, we rejoice with the angels. As witnesses, we can help the baptismal candidates in their walk with the Lord as we remind them of this day. And, as witnesses, we are reminded about the truth that baptism pictures in our own lives.
And what is that truth? It is the truth that in Christ, our old nature is dead and buried, and our souls which were dead in sin have been made alive in Christ! Out with the old, in with the new!
Take time to pray prior to this Sunday’s service that 1) Your own soul will be refreshed as you rejoice in the salvation of sinners and are reminded of your own salvation; 2) for our 3 baptismal candidates to resist any temptations or obstacles that may come as a result of their desire to follow Christ, and 3) for our church as we continue to establish ourselves as an “outpost of heaven” in our community, to continue to grow and to see sinners redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and follow him in baptism!