Day 26: I Am Baptized Into The Body Of Christ

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

»  What does water baptism symbolize?

»  Have you experienced God’s Spirit bearing witness with you that you are His child? (if “yes,” then celebrate that. If “no,” then ask for Him to do this today)

»  What does it mean to be found in Christ?

»  What does it mean to be a joint-heir with Jesus?

»  Celebrate, as specifically as possible, what Jesus has done for you.

»  Practice the memory verse.

QUOTE

“Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees, saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.” Felt love pouring down from above. Got washed in the water, washed in the blood, And now I’m changed. And now I’m stronger. There must be something in the water. Oh, there must be something in the water.”

- Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”

SCRIPTURE

“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.” - Romans 6:4

DEVOTIONAL

After His resurrection, before He ascended into heaven, Jesus gave the disciples their marching orders, to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything

I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Baptism in water is a baptism of repentance, and is the outward demonstration of our inward experience of being born into the family of God. Through our baptism, symbolized by our immersion in water, we are baptized into Christ and have clothed ourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:27) We are found in Christ, not having any righteousness of our own, but that which comes through faith in Him.

Water baptism does not do this for us; it demonstrates that Christ has already done this in us.

Because of our baptism into Christ, we are no longer Jews or Gentiles, slaves or freed, or even males or females. We are all one in Christ Jesus and heirs according to His promise. (Galatians 3:28-29) We are one body and one Spirit, celebrating “one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5) We are one, together, in Him. Children of God, anchored into His family by His grace.

Your first step, after accepting salvation in Jesus, is to be baptized in water to publicly celebrate the work of Jesus in you. You are a child of God and a co-heir with Jesus. You are a part of the body of Christ and one with your brothers and sisters in Him. These profound realities are yours, and water baptism is your opportunity to celebrate them with your family, and to proclaim them to your friends who are far from God. It is to show the world what you already know inside: that you have been born again.