BURIED AND RAISED

This Sunday we continued our discipleship series by looking at water baptism...not simply as a public declaration, but as an act of faith, obedience, surrender and identification with Jesus Christ.

Jesus connected baptism directly with discipleship when He commanded us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19). Throughout Acts, those who believed the gospel responded by being baptized. Baptism wasn't treated as a graduation for mature Christians; it was one of the first steps of obedience for those who had decided to follow Jesus.

The Greek word baptizō means to immerse, submerge, dip or plunge. One ancient use described cloth being immersed in dye. The cloth goes into the dye one way and comes out changed—the dye permeates every fibre. What a powerful picture of baptism! We go into the water identifying completely with Jesus and come out declaring, “My life now belongs to Him.”

Paul explains this beautifully in Romans 6:3–4: we are baptized into Christ's death, buried with Him through baptism, and raised so that “we too may live a new life.”

His death becomes my death. 

His burial becomes my burial. 

His resurrection becomes my new life.

Jesus also said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The Greek word translated saved is sōzō, a word used throughout the New Testament for God's saving, rescuing, delivering and healing work.

This doesn't mean the water itself saves us. In fact, Jesus continues, "whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Our salvation rests in Jesus and is received through faith. But baptism is far more than empty symbolism. It is an act of faith-filled obedience through which we surrender ourselves to Christ and believe for the fullness of His transforming work in our lives.

Colossians 2:12 says we are raised with Christ “through your faith in the working of God.” Our confidence isn't in the water. Our confidence is in God who works.

So the question of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 remains a powerful challenge for every disciple:

“What hinders me from being baptized?”

If Jesus is Lord, perhaps the question isn't whether we understand everything about baptism, but simply:

Do I trust Jesus enough to obey Him?