The Baptismal Reality of Christ

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Last Sunday, the pastoral staff performed baptisms between the first and second Worship Services. So, Pastor Kyle preached on the baptismal reality of Christ. By definition, baptism is the application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is usually performed by sprinkling or immersion. But in reality, baptism is about what happens on the inside more than the outside. Baptism is outward expression of an inward decision; an individual’s personal faith commitment-the spiritual relationship that exists between the person and God through Jesus Christ. Baptism does not make you a Believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does. It is an “outward sign of an inward grace”. In reality, it is not our hands that reach God, but God’s hand that reaches us. So, the baptismal reality of Christ means that you are God’s beloved and He is well pleased with you.

Romans 6:3-4 “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

John’s baptism of God-believing individuals was the precursor or foreshadowing to Jesus’ baptism. Why did sinless Jesus have to be baptized? (1) It identified Christ with us. (2) To fulfill the Mosaic Law, which He kept perfectly. Baptism symbolizes a moral cleansing. And is also an act of initiation into the Body of Christ. The baptismal reality of Christ means that you can live in peace with God by the peace of Christ. Peace, that fruit of the Spirit for freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience. God’s peace in the Holy Spirit rests upon us and dwells in our heart. Submit yourself to the Spirit of God and operate in His peace. Recognize and grasp it. Embrace the Lord’s peace and live it out. Sure, the temptations of our sinful flesh, the God-rejecting world system and the devil attract, entice and lure us daily in this fallen world, but Galatians 5:16, 24-25 tells us, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The only person with the power to change our life is God. Pray and obey.

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

The baptismal reality is possible to all of us. Because of what God did with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross in our place, we get to share in His baptism. We change from separated from God by sin, to reconciled and reconnected to God with a regenerated Spirit and a new heart, sinless and blameless as Christ paid the wages of sin for us. The Veil of the Temple to the Holy of Holies has been torn in two from top to bottom, so we now have full access to Father God. What a blessed exchange! God now looks on us as He looks at Jesus, when we accept the supernatural free gift of salvation, life and life eternal in Christ.

Blessed in Christ, Brian