It is giving the control of our lives over to Him. Water Baptism is an act of obedience for the believer. If we do not understand that Baptism replaces Circumcision – that it is the sign and sacrament representing our membership in a covenantal family – we cannot fathom the profundity of it. But the Bible word “baptizo” describes complete immersion under water. What change does it make in me? That’s why, when describing our Master’s baptism in the Jordan River, Matthew said Jesus came “up out of the water” (Matt. Why is Baptism important? I confess that when you search for my sermons by topic on our church web site, only one on baptism pops up: “Why We Do Not Baptize Infants” (from Sept. 8, 1996). Christ commanded his disciples to preach the Gospel, draw people to faith in him, and baptize those who come to conversion. This ripples out into the rest of your life. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and lives again. Most commonly, venial sins represent disordered attachments to anything that might take precedent over Christ in our lives; it is a small problem that CAN and WILL grow if we neglect it. Because Baptism is granted to both men and women, it reminds us that females are now equal covenant members with males, and Jesus Christ is our patriarch. So, baptism illustrates the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ . Embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and enjoy the powerful affect that He will have! How to Live Out Your Baptism Every Day | Radically Christian As always, if you need a partner to agree with you in prayer, please call our prayer ministers at 1-817-852-6000 or submit a prayer request . I also have an article on the web site, “Baptism: Some Common Questions Answered.” I have many other sermons that touch on the subject of baptism, especially from the Book of Acts. He uses natural phenomena to mark a new beginning, a new era for humankind, a new phase of divine dispensation, purification and deification. Taking a stand about your beliefs changes how you view yourself. According to verses 5 and 6, what affect should this have on our lives? God is revealed in our history and in our life. It means placing our pride, our past and all of our possessions before the Lord. How does baptism affect our everyday lives? “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5). Being baptized also alters your spiritual associations (the angels and spirits who are in your subconscious environment). The difference of views on infant baptism unfortunately does affect Christians' ability to demonstrate in practice our unity as the Body of Christ. By joining in baptism, we’re identifying ourselves with Him. Romans 6:4 says we have been buried with Him through baptism into death. Important Spiritual Lessons. Modern baptism means many things to many people. The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Being raised up out of the water expresses our new life in Christ and our union with Him. Baptism initiates a powerful internal shift. Baptism is a seal of solidarity with Jesus Christ, of being joined to him in such a way that his reality becomes our reality. It should be preceded by repentance, which simply means “change.” It is turning from our sin and selfishness to serve the Lord. Baptism is also a sign of separation from every other religion besides the gospel of Christ and of separation from every other supposed savior besides Jesus. We’re now dead to the power of sin. He leads us, through signs, imagery and ontological symbolism, to an understanding of His plan for our salvation and for that of the whole of creation. Our lives over to Him with Him Christ commanded his disciples to preach the Gospel, people! 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