WHY BAPTISM IS A CHRISTIAN’S FIRST, NEXT STEP
“You want a hot tub on the stage?“
The Program Director for the Yukon Arts Centre asked for clarification.
“Yup!” I Replied. “For baptisms!”
“Well that’s a first!” He exclaimed.
We had booked the Arts Centre for our quarterly Celebration Sunday. A service designed to celebrate the next steps of commitment that people are taking in their walk with Jesus.
Baptism is that first, next step.
What’s the First Step?
The first step is choosing to follow Jesus.
Once the Gospel has impacted someone’s life, there’s a moment where they choose to give their life to Jesus Christ. Spiritually, their old self has died and they have been reborn in Christ. They’re a new creation!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17
Why Baptism Should Come Next
Scripture indicates that baptism immediately follows belief. And it’s my conviction that baptism by immersion publicly symbolizes, what has happened spiritually inside every Follower of Jesus.
We have died to our old self (immersion into the water) and been reborn into a new life with Christ (raised out of the water).
Baptism moves the private Follower into the public arena.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:16)
If a Christian doesn’t want to make their faith public, I’m compelled to ask them, “Why not?” If we believe Jesus gave His life for us, we should be more than willing to publicly respond to that sacrifice.
In a world that celebrates individual spirituality, this couldn’t be more important!
Why Not Easter Sunday?
Our quarterly Celebration Sunday falls on Easter this year. Obviously, this heightens the excitement and adds a foundational reason to celebrate. Once again, we’ll be at the Yukon Arts Centre and the hot tub will be filled!
I will present the Gospel and give an invitation. For those who choose to follow Jesus, I’ll challenge them to get baptized right then and there. (We always have bathing clothes and towels on hand.)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt. 28:19)
In addition, there may be a few long-time Christians who have never taken that first, next step. They’re more than welcome! Regardless of how long someone has known Jesus, the public profession of faith through baptism is just as powerful, every time.
