Revolutionary Leaders

Total Recall #1

We all have memories that we recall from time to time. Some of those memories are best forgotten, others we cherish. What is your favorite childhood memory? What is your favorite memory from JR High, High School, your college days, your wedding day?

Jesus want's us to remember things about Him. As Christians, there are two “ordinances” - water baptism and communion - which we consider as religious practices ordained and established by Jesus himself. In fulfilling these spiritual duties Christians are reminded of an important work that has already taken place in the heart of the believer.

Baptism by immersion in water is commanded and demonstrated to us in Scripture.

Baptizo is the Greek word for baptize and means “to dip under,” “immerse.” Baptism, the going down into the water, is a picture of dieing to sin and then rising up out of the water in the new life of Christ.

Jesus was baptized by immersion in water in Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus baptized believers as part of his ministry (John 3:22) and trained his disciples to do it as well (John 4:2). Jesus’ last words to his disciples were, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

1. Water baptism is a ceremony that symbolizes the beginning of the spiritual life. It is an outward confession of an inward change. Check out Romans 6:1-4 and Acts 2:38-41. Baptism is only for believers - those who have repented of their sin and have put their faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

2. It also symbolizes our escape from judgment. The waters of baptism symbolize God’s grace displayed through the death and resurrection of Christ His Son. We escape judgment because Christ in our place. Read 1 Peter 3:18-22.

The act of water baptism doesn’t save you or get you into heaven. It’s simply a symbol of what Christ has already done to provide salvation – a means of escaping God’s wrath and gaining the gift of abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven.

3. It also symbolizes our commitment to live for God

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)

You represent Christ here on earth. The act of baptism declares to everyone that you have given up your sinful life and have made a commitment to live for Christ.

“baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

The word “name” in the Greek also means “title.” “In the name” here literally means “into the name,” a phrase that was commonly used in those days to mean “into the worship and service.”

So baptism reminds us of the inward change we have made when we committed our life to Christ. It reminds us that we have escaped the wrath of God – we’ve been saved like Noah from the flood. It also reminds us that now we are in the worship and service of God.