I just started reading the book of Mark, and was hit right away by the ministry of John the Baptist, who preached a simple message:
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins. Mark 1:4 (NLT)
So there you go. Baptism doesn’t save you, it shows that you have been saved. Baptism isn’t the mechanism God uses to forgive you of your sins, it is a simple act of obedience that shows you have repented of your sins and been forgiven. John the Baptist said that people “should be baptized”. Jesus instructed his followers to “go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
On March 21, we are going to give you an opportunity to show your church family that you have been saved from your sins, choosing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This baptism service is for anyone who has made a commitment to Christ and is ready to obey Him. It is stake you drive in the ground that says, “I am a follower of Jesus Christ”! It is an amazing time, both for those getting baptized and for everyone watching.
So, here is my encouragement to you.
- If you are a believer and have not yet been baptized, prayerfully consider whether God would have you take advantage of this opportunity. If you are a parent of someone you think is old enough to have made that decision for himself or herself, talk to them and pray with them about getting baptized.
- Sign-up for a simple, two-week baptism class that will prepare you for the service on March 21st. This class will answer many questions and help you think through your own story with God. The class will be held on Sunday mornings on 3/7 and 3/14. You can sign-up here.
- If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call and I’ll do my best to answer them.
