Baptism

Scriptures: Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 6:3-6; Ephesians 4:1-6

Baptism Homily:

Good morning everyone.

Earlier in the service we baptized three people and so today our message focuses on the three C’s of believers’ baptism: commitment, conversion and community.

The sort of commitment involved with believers’ baptism is significant. It is akin to the commitment made in marriage. It is a commitment of loyal love.

It is not a commitment to be taken lightly. In being baptized we are saying: ‘Jesus, I want you to be my forever friend.’

Getting baptized is sort of like signing an agreement with a builder to build you a house. Except, in the case of believers’ baptism, Jesus is the builder and the house is a spiritual house. Those who were baptized today have entrusted Jesus to build a house for them in God’s kingdom. But the Lord won’t do all the work for you. He will require a commitment of faith, hope and love from you.

It needs to be said that commitment to Jesus is not always convenient. There may be times when building your house on the foundation of Jesus’ teaching is difficult. You will not always be liked or accepted for your commitment to Christ but that is to be expected.

As Jesus said, in Matthew 5: ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Baptism signifies a commitment to Christ and therefore a commitment to conversion. Christian conversion is both an event and an on-going (life-long) process. Christian conversion can be from a different religion to Christianity or from no religion to Christianity. But conversion can also be the process of moving deeper into the Christian faith you grew up in.

Baptism is a parable of the change that Jesus brings in our life. As the apostle Paul says in Romans 6: …all of us who were baptizedinto Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the deadthrough the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

⁵ For if we have been united with Christ in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. ⁶ For we know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body ruled by sinmight be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

In other words, baptism represents a fresh start.

Christian conversion is about inner change – change from the inside out. It is a change of heart and mind which results in a change in word and deed. This means that we do not get baptized for the sake of social convention. Believers’ baptism is not something we do just because that’s what everyone else does. The motivation to be baptized needs to come from a deep heartfelt desire to be more like Christ.   

Returning to our house building analogy. Jesus is the master builder. He is in charge of constructing our house in God’s kingdom. Conversion means we don’t tell him how to design the house. We follow his plans for us – plans for our good.

The third C of baptism is community.

One of the reasons we like to hold baptismal services on a Sunday morning at 10am (during our main weekly worship service) is that baptism signifies entry into the community of God’s people. Baptism is both personal and public. When someone is baptized they become part of the community of God’s people. Not just this faith community of Tawa Baptist, but the church universal – which is all Christians everywhere through all time.  

The house you are building with Jesus is not isolated, on its own, in the middle of nowhere. The house you are building with Jesus is part of a heavenly city. You have neighbours.

One of the interesting things about Jesus’ baptism is that, soon afterwards, Jesus was led into the desert to be tested by the devil. This tells us that baptism does not give us immunity from trials and temptations.

But you are not alone. Keep on fellowshipping and building right relationship with other Christian believers. It is your spiritual house insurance. 

In Ephesians chapter 4 the apostle Paul writes about Christian community saying: I urge you to live a life worthyof the callingyou have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one anotherin love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unityof the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one bodyand one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.

Baptism is a statement of commitment, not convenience.

Baptism signifies conversion, not convention.

And, while baptism does not offer immunity, it does open the door to community.

In a few moments we will share communion together. By celebrating communion, as a community of faith, we remember Jesus’ commitment to us in going to the cross. Through Jesus’ sacrifice our relationship with God is converted, it is changed. Through faith in Jesus we become friends with God.

May God’s grace & peace attend you.