+DEV+ Baptism and Worship

Date: April 3, 2012 10:45 PM
Topic: +DEV+  Baptism and Worship

Baptism and Worship

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that we too may live a new life."  (Romans 6:4)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 28, Romans 6:1-14

Regardless of which church you attend, baptism, in some form or another, is a regular aspect of the public worship services. Unfortunately, the controversies that have surrounded baptism for the last 500 years - For whom? How? When? - have significantly hampered most Christians' ability to truly enjoy the blessing our Lord intended when He instituted this practice in His church.

How, then, should baptism be a blessing for us? To put it briefly, when someone is baptized in our church, we ought to take that opportunity to be reminded of all that the water symbolizes about the work of Christ for us. Remember that the blood of Christ has washed you clean from your sins (Titus 3:5). Remember that your old, sinful self died when Christ died, and you received a new life like His (Romans 6:4). Remember that you now have the power of Christ living within you uniting you to Him (Galatians 3:27). Remember that you have been given a new heart, one that is now growing in a desire and ability to live for God (Ezekiel 36:25).

Insight: "[Baptism] Is Taken Seriously By Scripture And Should Therefore Be Taken Seriously By Us" (Michael Horton). Do You Know The Importance Of Baptism In Worship?