In our second week of Sacred, we will be exploring baptism. When you see or hear the word “baptism,” what comes to mind? Is it the big silver tank on the stage each month at ACF and the celebrations that ensue when people take their next step? Is it a memory of your own baptism in a different place at another time? Is it confusion over the different teachings about baptism – infant, sprinkling, full-immersion? Maybe all of those things are swimming in your brain as you think about baptism.

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Let’s start with what the Bible says about baptism so we have a foundation. First, did you know that even Jesus was baptized? You can read the entire account in Matthew 3:13-17, when Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. Did Jesus need forgiveness of sins? No! He was the perfect Son of God – fully man but without sin (1 Peter 2:22). So why did Jesus want to be baptized? Was He showing that He was a follower of Christ? He was and is Jesus Christ. Rather, He was submitting himself to a sacred event that He wants His followers to experience. He came to die for the sins of the world. In His baptism, He is showing that is willing to be counted among the sinners even though He is not a sinner. His humility in this act shows His great love for us and leads us to the cross to reflect on his sacrifice of His life and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.

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Later in Jesus’ ministry, he tells his followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). In the book of Acts, which is a great story of the early church, we see baptism again and again as a next step of faith after believing Jesus came to die for your sins. Repentence – followed by baptism. Baptism is a holy next step in becoming a disciple – or follower – of Jesus.  

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Baptism is a picture of our burial and resurrection with Jesus: Buried under the water – dying to our sin. Raised out of the water as Jesus was raised from the dead – raised to walk in new life in Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4). Is the water magical? No! Will we still sin on the other side of baptism. Absolutely! But, we walk in a new life. We are walking in a way to become more and more like Jesus every day.

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Today’s verses in Ephesians 4 tell us another aspect of baptism. There is only one baptism. What does this mean? It could mean that we only have to be baptized once – which is true – but that’s not quite the intent of Paul’s writing here in Ephesians. Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus to first remind them about the gospel, and then, it switches in chapters 4- 6 to showing how the gospel should impact our daily lives. In today’s verses, Paul is writing about what unifies us – one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism. When we experience baptism, we are unified with other believers by the Holy Spirit. We are part of the same body – the same church. And this church is not just ACF, but the universal Church of believers who have accepted Jesus as Savior and are baptized. What a beautiful, holy relationship we have with one another in the body of Christ!

So, do you remember your baptism? I find that it’s a key memory that I believe God protects as one that is so pivotal in our faith and in belonging to Him and joining our fellow believers. I can also remember with clarity the moments that my kids chose to follow Jesus in baptism. These are sacred moments where our lives are forever changed.

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If you haven’t been baptized, what is holding you back? If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior – the payment for your sins and your new identity – then it’s time to take your next step and be baptized.

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Want to talk with someone about it? Get with someone from your life group or call the church office (907-694-7741) – you'll definitely connect with someone who would love to talk with you!

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For those of you who have been baptized – continue to celebrate that you are part of the body of Christ. Walk in this freedom and newness of life alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ. And keep sharing your faith – making disciples and baptizing them – as Jesus commanded.