The Waters of Baptism

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MONDAY

April 19

The Waters of Baptism
Read Acts 8:35–39. Here Philip preached the Scripture to the eunuch, telling him the good news of Jesus. The eunuch accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God. When they saw water, he asked Philip, “What hinders me to be baptized?” He then was baptized by Philip, and he went out rejoicing.
There is no miracle in the water itself; it is a symbol of cleansing. It is the gift of the Spirit that transforms the life. Baptism is an outward proclamation of the acceptance of Jesus. Read John 3:5–8. Jesus told Nicodemus that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (NKJV).
What takes place when someone has been baptized by immersion (Rom. 6:1–6)? 

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A genuine conversion symbolized in baptism by immersion signifies the cleansing of one’s life. The New Testament mentions baptism by immersion many times, emphasizing the importance of this rite in our Christian experience.
“ ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ ” (Acts 2:38, NIV).
When we are saved, we are spiritually baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26, 27) and received into His body, the church (1 Cor. 12:13). In biblical symbolism, baptism by water represents inner cleansing (Eph. 5:25, 26) and spiritual rebirth (John 3:5), both of which are central themes of salvation.
Many people take baptism for granted, but for many in the world the act requires immense courage. In a few countries baptism can lead to isolation from spouse, family, and community to imprisonment or even to death.
Among Jesus’ last recorded words on earth were these: " ‘Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’ " (Mark 16:16, NIV). Think about that for a moment. Jesus’ very last call is to believe in Him, which includes a call to be baptized. If He puts it in that category, we cannot overlook its significance.
Read again Romans 6:1–6. How have you experienced the reality of Paul’s words there? How has your “newness of life” in Christ changed you? What have you been spared from? In what areas do you still need more change? How can you better cooperate with the Lord, who offers to wash away your sins?