September 27, 2007

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.’” Acts 2:38a.
Last time, I discussed how Peter gave a simple, yet profound, answer to the crowd’s request, “What must we do?” I, briefly, asked us to consider looking at several words in, possibly, a more real-to-life manner. The first word that we looked at was “repent”, and the second word that we will think about today is “baptized”.
When you think of the word, “baptized”, what do you think of? Water? Sprinkled or submersed? Holy Spirit? These may be a few terms that we think of, and here are a couple of thoughts that I have when I think of this term. First, when I think of baptized, I think of the outward act or action that signifies a dramatic inner change within my life. Did you know that Jewish people are baptized? They do this to signify the change that has happened within them and to “wash them into” this new community. It is an outward act of renouncing the past and embracing their present and future. Within the community of Jesus’ followers, baptism was to signify a person’s renouncing, or death, of their old life, as they went down into the water, and an embracing of their new life in Jesus and His community, as they came up, out of the water. This certainly could happen whether you believe in sprinkling, splashing, or what ever manner that you choose to do it. The important thing is that it is done.
The second thought that I have is related to the first, in that it is a step of obedience. It seems to have been important enough for Jesus that He, Himself, submitted to being baptized. And again, among the early followers, it was always associated with someone – anyone – who embraced Jesus as their Messiah. It was an important step of obedience that signified what Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, had done in an individual’s life.
I have had the privilege to not only witness but participate in several baptisms, including those of my children, and I must say that, for me, they are moving occasions. The challenge for me is to try to think of these occasions as not-just-religious occasions; to consider the life-message and significance in this event. Take some time today to reflect on the meaning of baptism. What does it mean to you, and how does it impact your life today?