Who is Baptism for?
Who is Baptism for?
Baptism is for those who want to declare publicly their faith in Jesus as both Lord and Saviour and their desire to be publicly initiated into the Christian family.
Baptism is not an optional extra. It is the rite of initiation for Christians.
Read and consider the following from the New Testament in Acts 2:37-38:
"When the people heard this [message about Jesus], they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, 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."
There are 3 things that we can see here:
Firstly, when people were moved by God towards faith there was in internal desire for it. It struck a chord, as if they were being drawn to something they were already looking for. The word 'repent' simply means to open one's mind to change. A change of direction toward and including Jesus.
Second, baptism is about inclusion. We are baptised in the name of Jesus and into Jesus. Like when we adopt a child. The child is included into a new family. All that comes with the new family is now gifted to the adopted child.
Third, baptism comes with gifts: the gift of Jesus, the gift of forgiveness from God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which means the very Spirit of Jesus is involved in baptism.
If you have an inner desire to be initiated into Jesus Christ, receive forgiveness and Jesus’ own Holy Spirit, baptism is for you.
(Or, if you were baptised as a baby but now understand and have received these 'baptism gifts', you can reaffirm your baptism!)
Questions for reflection:
1. What is moving you to enquire about baptism now?
2. Do you have any questions about these baptism gifts?
3. What does baptism do/achieve?