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Why Get Wet in Church?
Why did Jesus ask His followers to be baptized in water
when they received Him as their Savior and began following Him? (Matthew
28:19)
It’s a Symbol. It symbolizes
outwardly what God’s Spirit is already doing inwardly in you. Being
submersed underwater symbolizes not just Jesus’ death but the death
of your old self-centered way of life. Rising out of the water symbolizes
not just Jesus’ resurrection but your resurrection to a new
Christ-centered life through the help of His Spirit living in you.
(Colossians 2:12)
It’s a Statement. When Jesus
was baptized, God made a statement to the world that Jesus was His Son
sent to save the world. By your baptism, you make the statement to the
world that you have received Christ as your Savior. In doing so, the
Spirit will affirm and solidify the decision you have made. (Matthew 3:16)
It’s a Step. Following
Jesus includes taking steps to do the things He instructed His followers
to do—that’s called obedience. Jesus said just listening to
His words doesn’t change you but doing them does. A step of
obedience to Jesus always draws you closer in relationship with Him.
(Matthew 7:24)
It’s a Celebration! Jesus said in
Luke 15 that there is more celebration in heaven over one person who is
just beginning to follow Christ than over 99 who already are! And that
celebration in heaven is shared on earth by the church as we witness this
special moment! (Luke 15:7)
So…if you have been thinking, “Maybe I
should be baptized,” my suggestion is—don’t
hesitate—what you are sensing is the prompting of God’s
Spirit! Whether you were baptized as a baby or at a time when you
didn’t fully appreciate what you were doing, follow Jesus by
getting wet and experience the benefits of water baptism!
To learn when our next water baptism is scheduled,
just call the church office, 503.244.3224.
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