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t CGBC, water baptism not only demonstrates the inward change of believers and the desire to identify with Christ, it also shows the willing desire to publicly profess through public testimony to tell forth a life to the lost world and to be accountable to the body of Christ. It is a joyous occasion for the family of God to celebrate together and witness the outworking of the Gospel through the Holy Spirit in these obedient lives.

Again, WHY BAPTISM? Because it is one of two ordinances given by Jesus. One ordinance is the Lord’s Table (Luke 22), and the other ordinance is Baptism. Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As a result of this direct command from Jesus, Christian believers, out of obedience should get baptized. From the founding of the early church, the practice of water baptism has been observed because water baptism by immersion is the quintessential illustration of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. For the true believers, the meaning of baptism is a demonstration of the inward transformation that has occurred in their lives. This ongoing transformation is the result of the Holy Spirit’s sanctification of the believer to become more like Christ.

This demonstration by immersion is an illustration of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Romans 6:3-4: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

This inward transformation is exhibited when a person is baptized publicly as a profession of faith. Baptism therefore, is the outward testimony of the inward changes in a believer’s life. Water baptism is also a reminder (a picture illustration) of the work of the Holy Spirit when we were saved and the ongoing transformation in becoming Christlike.

I Cor. 12:13: “For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body whether slaves or free, Jews or Greek, we were all made to drink of one spirit.” Romans 7:10 – 11: “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you.”

The baptism candidate is testifying publicly of the inward transformation of his life by the Holy Spirit and the desire to be identified with Christ through public profession. I Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Over the past many years, the privilege to teach the baptism class for the English Department has been one immense joy for me. Teaching allows me to learn of their journeys, the process that God has used in transforming these lives, and to hear the struggles, difficulties and ultimately their victories over sin, which is the process of becoming more like Christ. The power of the Gospel is on full display when we can share and witness the lives that are being transformed day by day. Let’s be involved in the lives of our candidates and continue to encourage and pray for them as we together all live out Christ’s Great Commission for His Honor and Glory while we are on this earth. Let’s all be that living sacrifice spoken by Paul in Romans 12:1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”