BAPTISM – In one sense, there’s nothing magical about it.  It’s a very practical and symbolic act of cleansing with water.  In another sense, however, it’s an act that completely transcends magic.  Baptism is a magically beautiful outward expression of an inward transformation of the heart.  It depicts the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In turn, it proclaims the death and burial of ourselves; a death to our old lives and a spiritual resurrection to a new life in Christ!

Jesus commands His disciples…

“go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”  Matt. 28:29.

It’s this command that compelled us to baptize over 70 people at Sonrise a few weeks ago, and it’s this command that compelled me to get baptized after almost 20 years of following Jesus with my life.

In 1 Samuel 15 we learn from Saul’s mistakes that “to obey is better than sacrifice” and that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft”.  For years I have been disobedient and rebellious when it came to baptism.  Every time that I would preach on baptism, every time that I would baptize followers of Jesus, every time that I would witness others being baptized the satan would remind me of my rebellious heart.  In order to silence the voice of the satan, on April 19th, 2015 I submitted myself in complete obedience to Jesus Christ by getting baptized in a pool outside of Sonrise Community Church in Santee, Ca.  What was even more magical about this experience is that I then had the privilege of baptizing my two oldest boys Joshua (11) and Micah (9).  What a glorious morning it was!

Let me be clear, it is not baptism that saves a soul.  Romans chapter 10:9-10 tells us that salvation comes to those who confess that Jesus is the Lord of their lives and believe that God has raised Him from the dead.  It goes on to declare that it’s with our hearts that we believe and with our mouths that we confess this truth.  This is how we are saved.  Baptism is simply a proclamation to the world of God’s glorious salvation and our commitment to follow Him with our lives.  It is an act of obedience and thus, an important part of every believers spiritual journey.

I pray that all those reading this will believe, confess and follow Jesus in believers baptism.  May you be inspired by the obedience of so many that have gone before you.  May you be encouraged by those being baptized in the video below…  including yours truly.