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Hey, it’s Josa! Today, we’re diving into a topic that has sparked curiosity and conversation among believers for centuries—baptism. What is it? Why do Christians practice it? And why does it look different depending on where you worship? Let’s explore this together.
Imagine a young man named Samuel. Raised in a small town, he watched people get baptized in the river behind his church. Some were fully submerged, while others had water sprinkled on their heads. Curious, he asked his grandmother, “Why do they do that?” She smiled and said, “It’s a declaration of faith, my boy, a sign of a new beginning.”
But Samuel wasn’t satisfied with just one answer. He wanted to understand more. What did this act truly mean? Was it just water? Or was there something deeper happening?
Baptism is a rite of washing with water that symbolizes purification and dedication. It’s an outward expression of an inner transformation—a commitment to live for God.
Among Christians, there are several types of baptisms:
Finding True Fulfillment in Christ
One Sunday, Samuel visited his friend’s church, where they baptized infants by sprinkling water. This was different from his own church, where people were fully immersed as adults. Confused, Samuel asked, “Why do they do it differently?”
He learned that Baptists believe in full immersion because it symbolizes complete burial and resurrection with Christ. Meanwhile, Catholics and some other denominations practice sprinkling, believing it symbolizes cleansing from original sin, even for infants.
He realized that while methods vary, the heart behind baptism remains the same—a public declaration of faith and dedication to God.
Samuel’s curiosity grew. “Do I have to be baptized to be saved?” He read Mark 16:16, which says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
But then he remembered the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:33-43. The thief was promised paradise without being baptized. This taught Samuel that salvation is through faith in Christ, not merely the act of baptism.
Different denominations interpret this differently:
Samuel was amazed when he read about Pentecost in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, and they spoke in tongues. This was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
He discovered that Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Christians believe in a separate experience of receiving the Holy Spirit, often accompanied by speaking in tongues.
Then, Samuel came across the word regeneration. It sounded complicated, but it simply meant being “born again”—a spiritual transformation brought by the Holy Spirit.
This helped Samuel understand that baptism symbolizes this transformation but doesn’t cause it. The Holy Spirit changes hearts; baptism shows the world what God has done inside.
After his journey of discovery, Samuel chose to be baptized—not because he was forced or to “earn” salvation, but as an act of obedience and a public declaration of his faith.
As he stepped into the river, he remembered Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death… just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.”
When he rose from the water, he felt a sense of joy and renewal. It was more than a ritual. It was a testimony of God’s grace and his decision to follow Jesus.
Have you been baptized? If not, what are your thoughts about it? Whether you’re considering it for the first time or reaffirming your faith, remember that baptism is an act of faith, not just a tradition.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Break of Day, softcover By Colleen Coble / Thomas Nelson |
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KJV Holy Bible, Large Print Handy Size--hardcover, Lion of Judah By ORIGIN / ORIGIN |
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