Such is Life: Baptism

2 Corinthians 5:17
"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!"

Congratulations Joo (& Kenry) on taking this step of faith as you obey the commands of Christ! May you continue to grow in Him and impact lives around you.

For those who are unsure what baptism really means...

1. Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning. It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ's death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead.

"...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

"...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:12

2. It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the 'old life' and we rise to walk in a 'new life'. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.

Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not 'save' you; only your faith in Christ does that.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

3. In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them. 'Father', 'Son' & 'Holy Spirit'. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptise believers "...into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Baptism confirms our position 'in Christ' and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children.

4. Baptism also connects us to the 'body of Christ', his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spitirual journey.

"...For we were all baptised by one Spirit into the body..."1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Some of you may wonder how are we to be baptised...

Well, as Jesus was baptised - by being immersed in water. The word "baptise" comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse or dip under water"

"As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water." Matthew 3:16

Thus, to illustrate this, here are photos of Joo's baptism =) Thank you Jon for the photos!