Title: John 4:1-2 Understanding Baptism
Contents
In Christianity, there are sacraments. This sacrament is a special token that God has given only to His people. So it cannot be given to unbelievers.
There are two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Among them, I would like to guide you into baptism.
1. What is Baptism
In response to the question of what baptism is, the Westminster Greater and Smaller Catechism (essential to faith and practice) says that it is the sacrament of washing with water / in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ( a holy rite), which is the Sealing means being attached, participating in the various benefits of the covenant of grace, and promising to be the Lord's man. it is said
2. The heart of Christianity
So, if this baptism is not the core of Christianity, then what is the core of Christianity? It is the gospel. If baptism was the core of Christianity, John would not have written the words “Jesus himself did not baptize” as in verse 2.
3. The Necessity of Baptism
Then, if baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation, and only the gospel is important, then there is no need to be baptized, right? Isn't it okay to not be baptized? would do
But it is not. Those who have declared to follow the Lord must be baptized.
Because the Lord commanded His disciples to baptize those who said they would follow Him (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16).
4. Benefits of Baptism
Baptism is the rite of sanctifying us and uniting us to Christ once and for all. At the end of the world, people will be divided into two groups before the Lord, and only those who believe at that time can confirm that they are united with the Lord and enter the place of salvation. That unity is confirmed through baptism (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:26-27).
When we speak of baptism, we say “to be baptized”. But at the same time, that baptism is accompanied by an oath of allegiance to God. “I now belong to God. It belongs to God. From now on, as a servant of the Lord, I will do what pleases the Lord.”
Those who have been baptized must now live their life after baptism. Baptism should not become a rite of passage into the church. If you don't think about the meaning of baptism properly, you will try to live properly regardless of whether you believe or not.