August 18 - One Aspect of Baptism

       Romans 6:2-4 – "We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? All of us who were baptized into Jesus the Anointed One were baptized into his death. We were, therefore, buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Jesus was raised from the dead physically, through the glory of the Father, we also may live a new life."

       I was baptized in 1983 in a muddy pond at Creation Festival in central Pennsylvania. I had become a Christian four years earlier in high school. Some friends would argue that I did not become a Christian until I was baptized, but I would disagree. That argument is for another day. I want to focus on one aspect of baptism that is inherent but rarely fleshed out during the baptism "ceremony".

       It is always a joy to be at someone's baptism, because baptism represents seriousness. It is a conscious display to the world, telling them that one is serious about living for Jesus. When I became a Christian, I really didn't know the details and symbolism behind baptism. I was serious in my faith, however, from the beginning. When I finally understood the meaning of baptism, I made the conscious decision to let the world know. Baptism is definitely a "coming out of the closet". It is a purposeful statement to the whole world, letting them know that your "old life" has been buried in that watery grave, and that your "new life" is now immersed in learning to follow the teachings of Jesus, learning to live in his guiding Spirit, and surrendering one's life to his will.

       I use the word "immersed" on purpose, as that is the meaning of the Greek word for baptism. When one is immersed in water, one is completely surrounded by it. There is not one part of the body that does not get wet. Therefore, every aspect of one's life (marriage, job, money, time, etc.) is covered in new life, new meaning, and new purpose, as taught by Jesus. The old life is over; the new life is completely different from the old. That is one of the nuances of the meaning of the statement of Jesus, "You must be born again." A butterfly emerges from its "immersion" in the cocoon as a worm, to be become a completely different creature, beautiful in its transformation.