Into What Then Were You Baptized?
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.”
Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
In light of Betty’s baptism this past Sunday, Pastor Daniel’s message this week, “Into what then were you baptized?” comes from Acts 19:3.
What answer would you give to this question?
First, let’s look at the question being asked. The preposition that Paul uses, “into,” is one that is intentional and conveys a sense of direction and purpose. Baptism then, is also not something that is static but a journey that we continually take as we grow closer to Jesus.
From this, there are three main takeaways from this week’s message.
Baptism is:
Movement into Christ. When we say we are in something, it conveys that we are stationary, for example, being in a room. However, Paul very intentionally uses the word “into” in his question. For Paul and for us, baptism is not merely a status. While it marks our life before and after our decision to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, it also marks our decision to live our lives differently and continually making the conscious choice to follow Christ. As we live our lives, day by day, we should also reflect on the direction that we are walking. Into what are we walking? Are we walking into Christ, or are we walking in a different direction?
Union with Christ. The word into can also be used to describe an obsession or immersion. When we say we are into something, it implies a sense of pursuit or transformation. To be into a hobby, or into a significant other, for example. To be baptized into Christ, then, is to be joined and united with Christ. Someone who experiences baptism is absorbed, immersed, and obsessive of Christ. Our thoughts, our feelings, and our motivations are full of Christ. It describes a joining that is so close that His life becomes our own. We were baptized in Jesus’s death so that we could share His resurrection. Pastor Daniel shared some stories of believers who risked persecution and family exile for the sake of baptism. Their stories remind us that baptism means to walk with Christ even amidst suffering. Do we have the same resolve and mindset in our daily walks with Christ?
Putting on Christ. As Galatians 3:27 states, to be baptized is to put on Christ. As into implies movement, it also implies transformation and process of change. Baptism marks a time for us to change from our old ways so that we can be clothed anew. When we put on new clothes, we leave our old clothes, those marked by sin, behind. If we have been baptized, we must ask ourselves: are we putting off our old sinful life behind to put one that is new and Christ-like?
Paul’s question in Acts 19:3 is a question that we face not only at the time of our baptism, but one that we must face every day. Baptism is not just a status of being, but a continuous journey with Christ, even amidst suffering and adversity, and a commitment to our Lord Jesus that we will live a life apart from the world, not built on complacency or comfort but one of faith and steadfastness.
Reflection Questions:
What was your main takeaway from this week’s message?
Reflecting on your own faith journey, into what direction are you headed? Into Christ, or elsewhere?
Does your life reflect one that is willing to follow Christ through suffering, rejection, or loss? Why or why not?
