A New Step

Matthew 3:13-17

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”  Matthew 3:13-17 (NLT)

1. Baptism is saying to the world, “I belong to Christ!”

So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. Galatians 3:26-27 (NLT)

“If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)

2. Baptism is showing I’ve died to my old life.

Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. Romans 6:3-4a (NLT)

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was. Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. Romans 6:5-7 (NLT)

3. Baptism is living a new life.

…And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4b (NLT)