DEC 25

Matthew 28:19-20
Memorise Galatians 3:27
“Repent, and be baptized…”

WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?

Water baptism is one of the only two sacraments instituted by Christ when He was on earth. John the Baptist was the first to administer baptism by divine authority, as a sign of faith in Christ who is to come, but Christ only formally instituted it as a perpetual ordinance just before His ascension. Today’s reading contains the command known commonly as the Great Commission, which was Christ’s instruction to His disciples before His return to heaven at the end of His earthly ministry. The disciples were commanded to baptize all nations “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. By invoking the name of the Triune God in baptism, it is a sure sign of the believer’s identification with God in his salvation.

Baptism is carried out using water, because water is a symbol of cleansing. Just as water has the ability to cleanse a physical stain, likewise the blood of Christ has the power to cleanse sinners of their spiritual stain. When we undergo baptism, therefore, the water which is applied to us is a visible reminder of the wonder-working blood of Christ which has washed us of all our sins and purified us.

Dear teen, do you desire to be baptized? In our church, the common practice is for teens to seek baptism at around the age of 17 onwards. In the meanwhile, though, it is good that you understand the true meaning of this event of great significance, so that when the time comes for you to seek baptism, you may understand and be ready for it.

Thought: Baptism is an outward confession of an inward transformation.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be ready to be baptized when the time comes.