Considering Baptism

Photo taken from a 2014 baptism at The Meeting Place (MB) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. … So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

(Acts 2:37–41, ESV)

Just as a wedding is a public expression of marriage vows, baptism is our public expression of our faith. Putting our faith in Christ is intensely personal as we submit our lives to Him, but we are called to live our faith out publicly and in community.

Scripture gives clear pictures of the meaning and importance of baptism - meaningful to me are Christ’s baptism in Matthew 3.13-17 where the Father and the Spirit were both present as Jesus expressed His commitment to live by the Father’s plan. Also meaningful to me is the account of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.36-38; as soon as the man put his faith in Christ, he was baptized at the first body of water they passed.

Are you baptized? Easter so clearly represents the meaning of baptism - our death to self and our new life in Christ. What a great season for us to express our faith!

Would you consider being baptized? Will you take this step to draw a deliberate line in the sand between your old life and your new one?

If you are interested, please connect with Pastor Ryan.