Baptism, Commitment and Recommitment

Why should you be baptized and when? And what should we do to strengthen and renew that baptismal commitment?

John wasn’t known as “the Baptist” or baptizer for nothing. It seems he plunged hundreds of people into the water of the Jordan River “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4, New International Version).

Repentance was required. In fact, when some of the religious leaders joined the crowds waiting for baptism, John saw right through their wrong attitudes. He told them to “bear fruits worthy of repentance”—to prove that they really wanted to turn their lives around (Matthew 3:8).

The basic idea of repentance is “a reversal of thinking which changes one’s life” (The Nelson Study Bible, note on Matthew 3:2). When we see how our sins have gone against God’s holy, righteous and perfect law, and that Jesus Christ gave His life to pay for our death penalty, it is only right to have godly sorrow and a deep desire to change.

Counting the cost

That desire to change can’t just be a passing fancy or a fair-weather commitment. It must be a total commitment. We must turn our lives totally over to God.

Sometimes people think they understand what God asks, but it becomes clear they do not. Consider James and John, the disciples also known as the “Sons of Thunder.” They wanted high positions in the Kingdom of God, and so Christ tried to help them see the reality. He asked, “Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” The Sons of Thunder replied, “We are able” (Matthew 20:22)—though Christ knew they didn’t really understand.

To make a real commitment, we must understand. That’s why Christ tells us to count the cost of our commitment to God (Luke 14:27-30).

Like the apostle Paul said, we are crucified with Christ and baptized into His death (Romans 6:3). So now-converted Christians “walk in newness of life,” no longer “slaves of sin” (Romans 6:4-6). We now humbly and earnestly seek to have Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). This affects every thought, decision, action and compartment of our lives. It changes us for the better.

Baptism is one of the foundational teachings of the Church, following “repentance from dead works” and “faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1-2). Water baptism provides a beautiful picture of our sins being washed away (Acts 22:16). It is the start of a new life as a child of God, on the path to eternal life!

An annual reminder

The annual New Testament Passover serves as a reminder and a recommitment to that baptismal covenant.

We don’t save sins to repent of them before Passover, of course. We are to strive, through the power of the Holy Spirit, not to sin. But when we do sin, we must repent right away and recommit to overcoming and to walking as Christ walked.

Still, the annual self-examination before Passover gives Christians a chance for even deeper focus, and the solemn ceremonies of the Passover impress on us ever more the seriousness of sin and the awesome sacrifice Jesus Christ made. This recommitment to repent, to accept our Savior’s sacrifice to cover our sins, should be a launching pad to greater overcoming and spiritual growth in the year ahead.

Read more about the meaning of Passover and preparing for Passover. There is no greater commitment than baptism and no greater recommitment than Passover.

Mike Bennett is a husband, father and minister of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, living in Ohio.