Hopefully you have heard about a call by our SBC president, J.D. Greear, to have a Baptism Sunday on September 8. What if every Southern Baptist church baptized just one on that one day? I determined a number of years ago as pastor to preach on baptism at least once a year. I used that as an occasion to baptize and call others to be baptized.
What is the Significance of Baptism? The importance is in the symbolism. According to Romans 6:1-10…
- Baptism should reflect that you have died to sin.
- Baptism should reflect that you have come to life.
- Baptism should reflect that you have made a “once-and-for-all” commitment to Christ.
I see an analogy between my baptism and my wedding ring. My wedding ring does not mean I am faithful nor does it ensure that I will be faithful, but it is a symbol of my commitment and faithfulness, so I wear it with pride. Likewise, baptism does not mean that we are faithful in our commitment to the LORD nor does it ensure that we will be faithful, but it is a declaration of our intention.
Don’t let your baptism deceive you into thinking that everything is right in your spiritual relationship with God. Sometimes, a person’s baptism can be rather deceptive.
Some uniforms deceive. Just because you see someone with a jersey of a sports team does not mean that the individual is on that team. I have a New Orleans Saints jersey. The jersey even has my last name on it. But, the “Horn” on the back is in reference to Joe Horn, not Steve Horn.
I read about a gentleman in New Orleans a few years ago who was sentenced to a year of home confinement, two years of supervised release, and fined $500 for wearing a U.S. Navy Captain’s dress white uniform decorated with medals including a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and a Navy Cross to his wedding. The problem with wearing the uniform was it was not the groom’s. He never even served in the armed forces and wearing military medals without proper authority is a federal crime.
I wonder if Christ looks at any of our baptisms like that Judge looked at this groom’s Navy Captain’s uniform.
Please pray with me that God will use September 8 as a significant day to call people to identify with Christ through baptism.
