Baptism As a Lifelong Commitment

I always enjoy the preparation that goes into corporate worship, but I especially love preparing for a baptism service. While some view baptism as a meaningless ritual – some atheist groups even hold a de-baptism where they “dry” you with hair dryers – I view it as a both a wonderful symbol and a sacred command from Christ Himself.

It is a symbol of cleansing and of joining Christ in His death, burial and resurrection as well as a public confession of our faith and new life. As Lee Scarborough wrote, “[The believer] publicly puts a grave between himself and his former life of sin.” (1)

When I prepare for a baptism I am always reminded of a sermon by Andy Cook. In it he draws our attention to a little side trip in the Gospels that Jesus and His disciples take. A trip where Jesus drove home the reality of baptism as a lifelong commitment in a place called Caesarea Philippi.

Caesarea was known as a center of pagan worship and was one of the most evil and immoral places in all of Israel. Various cults had made it a sensual, wicked, and even murderous place. Here, the waters of the Jordan river flowed out of huge, dark cave on the side of a rocky cliff. Legends and teachings of the Baal and Asherah cults taught that the two gods went underground to Hades through the cave, giving it the name, "The Gates of Hades." In the thoughts of the religious cult that worshiped him, Baal had control over water, and the mysterious cave was a natural place for him to descend into Hades. Greek and Roman invaders liked the spirituality of the place so much, they added monuments to numerous other gods to the area. By the time Jesus arrived at Caesarea Philippi with His disciples, the beginning of the river was a veritable cafeteria of religion. In the midst of all the choices, Jesus walked 40 miles up a mountain to ask His followers a simple question. "Who am I?"

Matthew 16:13-18 [HCSB]

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.

And with that, the disciples walked back down the mountain, where they would soon hear Jesus ask His followers to be baptized as a sign of their commitment to Him. His followers would build the church in the place where Satan least expected it – right at the very Gates of Hell!

Because of the centuries-old stories coming from the mysterious cave in Caesarea Philippi, those men knew that being lowered under the water was far more than a simple sign of cleansing. Baptism would be a frightening descent into "Baal territory," and a commitment to carry the fight to the enemy. Though times had changed, the fears of Baal's hellish existence in the underground cave of the

Jordan's beginnings still caused fear in the minds of the people. If a person had the misfortune of drowning, for instance, the grief of a family was compounded by a frightening thought. Had their loved one been captured by demonic forces, and taken to Hades for eternity?

Through baptism, Jesus asked His followers to be willingly lowered into enemy territory, only to be

immediately raised to new life. With one act of trust, the reality of hell would be no more of a danger to

Christians than being briefly lowered in water. For believers in Jesus, death would one day be a momentary transfer from this life to the next. Baptism was a very visible statement of faith, of choosing Jesus as the way to safely make the transfer from this life to eternity. Almost immediately, baptism became a tremendous statement of commitment, too. During times of persecution, to be identified with Christ was a life- threatening confession. In the worst of times, a person willing to be baptized was taking the risk of his lifetime. (2)

As we baptize this Sunday morning we will risk little more than a chill from cold water. Yet the call of our Lord to a lifetime of commitment to Him has not changed. When we are called to baptism we are called to truly follow Him through anything – even against Hades itself. If you have been baptized, are you living your baptism today? Are you carrying through on your commitment to Him?

Till next time,

God Bless

References

1. Lee Scarborough, as quoted in the Baptist Faith & Message

2. “What's Water Got To Do With It” by Andy Cook