The word this last Sunday was Baptism for the small Pleasant Valley Baptist Church congregation as we went down to the James River to witness the Baptizing of four Beautiful Children Of Jesus Christ!
The word baptism comes from a Greek word (baptize), which means, “to immerse.”
However, Baptism Relates to Jesus in specific...
1. It means we have turned from the old life of sin to a new life in Jesus Christ.
2. It means we are publicly identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
3. It means we are openly joining the ranks of those who believe in Christ.
In fact when we are baptized, we are visually preaching the gospel.
As we stand in the water waiting to be baptized, first, we symbolize Jesus dying on the cross.
Second, we symbolize Jesus buried in the tomb as we are lowered into the water. As we are raised from the water, we symbolize Jesus rising from the dead.
And since we personally are being baptized, we are also saying, "I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with Him and now I am raised with Christ to a brand-new life."
In short, in our baptism, we are confessing the faith without using any words at all.
And our confession in our baptism will be more effective with our friends than any sermon the pastor preaches on Sunday morning—more effective because it comes directly from us.
Praise The Lord For These Born Again Souls Committed To A New Life In Jesus Christ!
Nana
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️