Importance Of Baptism: A Call To Follow Jesus’ Example
Baptism is an essential part of the Christian faith. It is a powerful symbol of our faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. One of the most profound moments in Scripture regarding baptism is found in Matthew 3:15. In this verse, we see Jesus Himself being baptized by his cousin John the Baptist, even though He was without sin. Why did Jesus, the Son of God, choose to be baptized? The answer lies in His perfect example for us, and the deep spiritual significance it holds for our walk with God. What Does A Symbol Have To Do With Baptism? In Matthew 3:15, we read: “But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” Here, Jesus’ words are key. He tells John that it is necessary for them to fulfill all righteousness through baptism. Even though Jesus had no sin to repent of, He chose to be baptized to set an example for us. His obedience to the Father’s will, even in this symbolic act, teaches us the importance of surrendering to God’s plan for our lives. Why Should We Be Baptized? Following Jesus’ Example Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry. By following His lead, we identify with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. Because baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledging that we are part of His body and His mission in the world. Just as Jesus obeyed the will of the Father, we too are called to be obedient through baptism. A Step of Obedience Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It is a step of obedience in response to God’s call for us to follow Him. In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the people to “repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” So baptism doesn’t save us. Rather, it is a public acknowledgment of the salvation we already have in Jesus. It is a way to demonstrate our commitment to living for Him. A Symbol of Our New Life Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a powerful symbol. Going under the water represents being buried with Christ in His death. Coming out of the water symbolizes our resurrection with Him into new life. Through baptism, we are reminded of the transformation that takes place in us when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. As Romans 6:4 says, “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.” A Public Confession of Faith Baptism is a public confession of our faith. In Matthew 10:32, Jesus says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Because we choose to be baptized, we are publicly declaring our faith in Christ, showing the world that we belong to Him. It is a powerful testimony to others of the grace and mercy we have received and a step of courage in our walk with God. It’s Just The Beginning Therefore, baptism is not just a tradition or a ritual; it is an act of obedience and faith. Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:15 demonstrates His submission to the Father’s will, setting an example for us to follow. It is an essential step in our Christian journey, representing our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Through baptism, we publicly declare our faith, commit to a life of obedience, and embrace the new life that Christ has given us. If you haven’t been baptized, I encourage you to take this step of faith. It is a beautiful and significant act that marks the beginning of your walk with Christ. Since Jesus set the example for us, let us follow in His footsteps and obey His call to be baptized. Learn More About Baptism At The Village I’M READY TO BE BAPTIZED
Is God Right For Me?
I, like many Christians before me, have gone through a lot of spiritual change and transformation and have asked myself, “Is God Right For Me?” As I’ve taken time to reflect lately, I thought that I’d share my story. I grew up at The Village, with incredible and loving parents, who are still to this day two of my greatest supporters. We went to church every Sunday. I would go to Sunday school or to “big church”. Throughout my childhood we would often talk about the message and its meaning, as well as the important aspects of being a Jesus follower. Fast-forward to seventh grade, and I got baptized! It was an amazing moment, celebrated with my family, and was happy about my decision for the most part. There was a part of me that was filled with uncertainty. That was right before I went through what I like to call my “low spot”, which was eighth grade and my freshman year of high school. How Low Can You Go? A combination of toxic friends, a non-religious boyfriend, and stressful health issues followed by weight gain definitely put me in a low spot. I was seriously questioning if God even existed at all, often feeling uncomfortable at church, as if I didn’t belong or was an imposter. I was wondering if this whole God thing was really for me, and I decided that I would be just fine without him there. Uh-huh. I only felt empty, which pushed me away further. I was wondering how God could let me feel so empty and hollow if He really did love me. Fast-forward to January of Freshman year. I had a difficult breakup and just more emptiness. I finally told my parents about how lost I was, and they helped guide me in the right direction. They helped me to order my life, but I still hadn’t accepted that it was my struggling faith that was at the root of my problems. One Moment Changed Everything The emptiness persisted. Months later, in the spring of 2020, I had my moment, my epiphany, as I like to think of it. It was strangely sudden, and it caught me off guard, but I prayed. I don’t know why, it was over something trivial, but I remember thinking, “Thank you, God.” And that simple thought sparked this strange warmth in me. So I kept the conversation going, as if I were talking to my dad, just saying what was on my mind. I opened up my heart for the first time in ages. All of my regrets, pain, and secrets. Over the next few weeks, I prayed more often. Over the course of time, He cleansed me, of everything. I felt clean, even more so than what I felt at my baptism. I returned to Him, and He took me in with open arms. Since then, I’ve wavered on occasion. I go long stretches without praying very frequently, and then inevitably, I feel more overwhelmed and stressed than I otherwise would have. But there have been several moments, such as my mom’s cancer, where I shared my pain with Him, and His comfort has been greater than I could’ve imagined. A Pleasant Surprise The more I involve Him in my life, the more I find that I am content, and I see more joy around me, even in times of pain. I’ve learned that no pain I can experience can eclipse God’s goodness. When I go to Him, I feel at peace. For those of you who are wondering if this whole God thing is right for you, I might suggest that you take a moment to seek earnestly. No matter where you are in life, He will take you. He wants you; He wants your heart. His hand is always outstretched towards you, waiting for you. Don’t be afraid to take it. You may be surprised by where your life goes from there. Everyone is in a different place in life, there several places you can get connected. Learn More About Baptism Find a Lifegroup Serve At The Village How Can We Pray For You?
A Cheering Section Just For You
Have you ever had someone cheer for you? Have you ever wanted someone to cheer for you, but it just didn’t happen? Here at The Village we feel it’s very important to encourage and love everyone. When it comes to baptism especially, everyone should have a cheering section. Every Thursday The Village has a church service. Something special happened on July 25th, 2019. Mackenzie Eber was baptized! In our worship room we have 4 sections of chairs and the section in front of the baptistry (the tub where baptisms happen) seats about 60 people. Mackenzie’s many friends came to celebrate her life-changing decision to be baptized and filled this entire section! It was so great to see the love and support of her friends and family. On this day, I actually cut my sermon a little short because I could see the excitement in the faces of these students for their friend. They wanted to share in this moment of her committing her life to Jesus. You could not only see their excitement, but you could feel it. Everyone should have their own cheering section for when we make big decisions for Christ. It is definitely a time to celebrate! You Can Have The Opportunity We all get the opportunity to encourage and support others and we are all encouraged ourselves to see God’s work in others. This Bible verse from Hebrews sums it up perfectly, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1) We have lots more baptisms scheduled in the coming weeks. If you’ve been thinking about taking this next step, I encourage you to talk to one of the Pastors at The Village. You can also learn more about baptism here, https://www.thevillagechristianchurch.com/about-us/baptism The section in front of the baptistry is now designated for friends and family, but the other 3 sections are also for cheering as well! ?
God Doesn’t Just Work On Sunday
It was a Monday afternoon and I got a text message and the picture above from one of our Lifegroup leaders. This is what the text message said, “Just wanted you to know Barb is being baptized by our Lifegroup and her granddaughter today.” My first thought was, “Wow! So amazing!!!” Then I got to thinking more about it…How many great things, God things, happen in peoples lives Monday thru Saturday? We see many great things God does “At Church” on Sundays and it’s important to celebrate these, but sometimes we forget all of the incredible “WINS” in peoples lives happening every day! God doesn’t just work on Sundays! There are 168 hours in a week and church is just 1 hour of that. What about the other 167 hours? Here are a few more examples of some of those “WINS” that are happening during the week: The dad who came home to spend time with his kids instead of spending time at the bar. As result, his marriage is being restored and his kids will grow up with a godly parent. The teenager who is reading her Bible throughout the week every night before she goes to bed. The salesman who when traveling is committed to stay away from pornography. The list can go on and on if I spend some time thinking about it. Life is about choices. Every hour brings more choices and you have to stop and make that important decision. There are “WINS” EVERY DAY as God works in and through our lives! This is an important thing to remember as you are in the trenches during the week. Be aware, celebrate, and thank God for those “WINS”!