Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord
Main Theme: “Do you believe this?” – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
As we approach the final days of our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we are called to reflect on one of the most profound aspects of our faith: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord. The question we ask ourselves today, “Do you believe this?”, invites us to examine the transformative power of baptism, a sacrament that unites all believers in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is not just a symbolic act; it is an entry into the life of Christ. In baptism, we are immersed in His death, buried with Him, and raised to new life in Him. This act symbolizes both an individual’s commitment to Christ and the unity of all Christians, regardless of denomination or tradition, in the body of Christ.
Let us delve into the scriptures and explore what it means to be baptized into the death and resurrection of our Lord.
1. God’s Mercy and Forgiveness (Micah 7:18-19)
Micah 7:18-19 highlights the deep mercy of God, a mercy that forgives sins and casts them into the depths of the sea. “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). This imagery of sins being thrown into the depths of the sea resonates with the Christian understanding of baptism. Through baptism, we experience the forgiveness of our sins, as we symbolically die to our old self and are reborn in Christ.
When we are baptized, we are washed clean of our past, and our sins are no longer held against us. We are given a new identity in Christ—one marked by His mercy and grace. Baptism, therefore, becomes not just an act of initiation but a profound encounter with God’s forgiveness, inviting us to live out a life of renewed hope and purpose.
Application: Do you believe that in baptism, your sins are forgiven and you are made new? Through baptism, we are reminded of God’s unending compassion. It is through His mercy that we are able to live as new creations. Let us reflect on how we can embrace this grace in our daily lives, letting go of past mistakes and walking in the new life Christ offers.
2. The Need for Cleansing and Renewal (Psalm 51:1, 7, 10, 12)
Psalm 51 is a heartfelt prayer of repentance by King David after his sin with Bathsheba. David pleads for God’s mercy and cleansing: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1). This psalm emphasizes the need for internal cleansing and renewal. David prays, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).
In baptism, we experience this cleansing and renewal. Just as David sought a pure heart and a renewed spirit, baptism symbolizes the washing away of our sins and the creation of a new heart within us. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live a life that reflects God’s love and righteousness. Baptism is not just a ritual, but a spiritual renewal that equips us to live in obedience to God.
Application: Do you believe that baptism renews your heart and spirit? As we remember our own baptism, we are reminded that we have been cleansed and made new in Christ. Let us allow the Spirit to continually renew us, helping us to walk in holiness and truth as we seek to live out the calling of being Christ’s disciples.
3. The Great Commission and the Call to Baptize (Matthew 28:16-20)
In Matthew 28:16-20, we find Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples. Before ascending to heaven, He commands them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey His commands. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Baptism is central to the Christian mission—it is both an act of obedience and a sign of the new community that Jesus has established. Through baptism, we are publicly acknowledging our faith in Christ and identifying ourselves with His death and resurrection. It is through baptism that we are incorporated into the body of Christ, the Church, and called to share in the mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world.
Jesus’ command is clear: baptism is not just for the individual but is an act of solidarity within the broader Christian community. As we baptize new believers, we are bringing them into a worldwide family of faith, united under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Application: Do you believe that baptism unites us as one body in Christ? Baptism is not just an individual experience; it is a communal act that connects us to the larger body of believers. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that baptism calls us to live as part of a global community of believers, working together to share the love of Christ with the world.
4. Baptism: Death and Resurrection in Christ
Theologically, baptism symbolizes both death and resurrection. In Romans 6:3-4, Paul writes: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. This means that, just as Christ died and was raised to new life, we, too, die to our old selves and are raised to live in newness of life.
Baptism marks the beginning of a new journey—one that involves daily dying to self and living for Christ. It is an ongoing process of being transformed into the likeness of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Baptism, therefore, is not a one-time event but a lifelong call to live in the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Application: Do you believe that baptism calls you to live a new life in Christ? As baptized believers, we are called to live differently, to live in the power of the resurrection. Let us reflect on how we can daily die to our old selves and live for Christ, allowing His resurrection power to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.
Prayer:
God our Father, We praise You for the gift of baptism, through which we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. We thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness, which cleanse us from all sin and give us a new heart and spirit. We pray that we would live out the reality of our baptism, walking in the newness of life that Christ offers.
We ask for the grace to share the love of Christ with others, to baptize them in His name, and to be a witness to the world of the transformative power of His death and resurrection. May the Holy Spirit continue to renew us and empower us to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
As we reflect on the significance of baptism, let us ask ourselves: Do we believe that baptism is the gateway into the death and resurrection of Christ? It is through baptism that we are united with Christ, forgiven, and empowered to live new lives in Him. Let us commit to living out the call of our baptism every day, as members of the body of Christ, united in love and mission.