What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of baptism's significance today? Setting the Scene in Ephesus “Into what then were you baptized?” they replied, “Into John’s baptism.” (Acts 19:3) Paul’s question cuts straight to the point: baptism is never a mere formality; it reveals what we believe about Jesus, repentance, and new life. Their answer showed a gap—we don’t want the same gap today. Why This Question Still Matters • John’s baptism pointed forward to the coming Messiah (Mark 1:4). • Christian baptism points backward to the finished work of that Messiah and unites us with Him (Romans 6:3-4). • Asking “Into what were you baptized?” invites every generation to examine whether our understanding lines up with Scripture. Distinguishing Two Baptisms • John’s: a preparatory, repent-and-wait rite (Acts 19:4). • Jesus’: a repent-and-believe union with the crucified and risen Lord, accompanied by the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38). Grasping this distinction is the foundation for every step that follows. Practical Steps to Deepen Our Understanding Today 1. Revisit the Foundational Question – Personally articulate what your baptism declared about Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). – Share testimonies within your church; hearing one another reinforces truth. 2. Anchor Your Study in Key Passages – Read and memorize verses that unveil baptism’s layers: Matthew 28:19; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21. – Note repeated themes—union with Christ, new identity, public confession. 3. Trace the Old-to-New Testament Thread – Compare the Red Sea crossing (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) and Noah’s flood (1 Peter 3:20-21) with Christian baptism. – Observe how God consistently uses water to signify salvation and separation from the old life. 4. Celebrate the Trinitarian Name – Every baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) immerses us into the fullness of God. – Study how each Person of the Godhead participates in your salvation (Ephesians 1:3-14). 5. Connect Baptism to Daily Sanctification – Reckon yourself “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11) every morning. – When tempted, remind your heart: “I have been buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12). 6. Link Baptism and Church Life – Baptism is the doorway into visible fellowship (Acts 2:41-42). – Join or renew commitment to a local body where the Lord’s Supper, teaching, and mutual accountability keep baptism’s meaning vibrant. 7. Teach the Next Generation – Parents and mentors: explain symbols as children witness baptisms. – Simple prompts like “What happened to Jesus? What happens to us?” ground them early. 8. Guard the Ordinance’s Purity – Maintain clear gospel instruction before baptizing (Acts 8:35-38). – Avoid reducing baptism to ceremony; keep proclamation and genuine faith inseparable. Living Baptism All Week Long • Start each day recalling the watery grave you left behind. • Speak gospel truth when you witness another’s baptism—rejoice publicly. • Serve others as one risen with Christ (Romans 6:4); actions confirm the message the water symbolized. By returning again and again to Paul’s probing question, we let Scripture refine our view, deepen our gratitude, and propel us to live the reality our baptism declares. |
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