In high school I owned a 1969, cherry red Mustang. Besides looking awesome, I depended on that car to get me to school and work. Living as I did in Minnesota, this meant a lot of driving in rain, snow, and salt. Minnesota salted the roads in the winter, and salt was a ferocious enemy of the cherry red body of my beloved Mustang. It was a constant battle to keep it clean. There was another issue with that car – it didn't run well. It was constantly breaking down. Oft were the times I'd nurse her home, the body covered in salt, and there she’d sit until I could afford repairs. The irony is, even though it wasn't running, I'd still have to wash it, else the salt would eat it away. Washing it cleaned the body, made it sparkle even, but the engine remained broken. Though it looked great on the outside, the “inside” of that car wasn't healthy.

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Looking back, I think that Mustang could be a metaphor for baptism. Washing with water will get your outside clean, but what about your inside, your heart and soul? It'd be foolish to think that washing your outside will also clean your inside...just like I'd have been foolish to think that washing my broken car would somehow make it run.

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And that's the point Peter is driving home today. Washing with water is not a requirement for salvation. Water is a symbol of how Jesus Christ reconciles you with God. Faith is the only requirement for salvation. John 3:16 makes this very clear. Your belief in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is your “pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” In other words, your belief is your baptism. When you believe, you are baptized with the Holy Spirit. He dwells within you. John the Baptist might have put it best when he said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11).

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The symbolism of water used in baptism is very powerful though. When immersed in the water, we symbolize the death of Jesus on the cross and burial in the tomb with Him. When we rise out of the water, we symbolize His resurrection and His defeat over our sin. Additionally, we are symbolically cleansed by the water. The old you is washed away. You have been born again; this time reconciled with God (Rom. 6:3-7).

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Water is a symbol. Faith in Jesus' death and resurrection is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:6).

So, if baptism with water is not a requirement for salvation, why should you do it? Would it be enough to answer, “because Jesus did” (Mk. 1:9)? While certainly a good reason, there's more to it.

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Being baptized is a public pronouncement of your faith. When you are baptized, everyone in attendance gets to celebrate with you. If you want to see ACF roar with joy, come to a baptism service. In this fallen world, it is indeed a joyous occasion to celebrate with a brother or sister in the family of Christ.

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Being baptized also serves as a witness to others. Since we are commanded by Jesus to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), baptism may very well open the door to others considering their own faith. I serve on the Prayer Team. The simple act of someone asking for prayer reinforces for me the truth that Jesus is the source of truth, light, and power. The simple act of asking is a powerful witness to me. Baptism is similar, if not more so. Who knows how your baptism will witness to others, but it will.

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Finally, being baptized is a deeply personal and meaningful event. With your declaration of faith, Jesus has separated you from your sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). You are born again. Experiencing the physical act of baptism in water really drives that home. And it's not often we are immersed in water, especially in Alaska. So let the physical act of baptism remind you of God's grace and plan for you. Revel in the joy of that truth. Like your birthday, it will be a memorable event you'll celebrate the rest of your life.

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Baptism is a powerful testimony to the grace of our God. I encourage you to call the church office and schedule yours today. ACF is performing baptisms on Easter...just sayin'!

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Lord, I will be quiet for one minute. Please speak to me through your Holy Spirit about baptism. Thank you, Lord. Amen.