WORD OF THE WEEK - BAPTISM - 7/20/25

Definition: Baptism is a religious sacrament involving the use of water to symbolize purification, regeneration, and initiation into a life of faith in God. It can be performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring, depending on tradition.
Scriptures:
Exodus 30:17-21 - “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal… For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat… So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.”
Matthew 3:16-17-  “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Romans 6:3-4 - “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
hrist, isn’t it time to make your commitment known?

Website:  www.wow-newton.com

Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

Definition: Baptism is a religious sacrament involving the use of water to symbolize purification, regeneration, and initiation into a life of faith in God. It can be performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring, depending on tradition.
Scriptures:
Exodus 30:17-21 - “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,  Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal… For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat… So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.”
Matthew 3:16-17-  “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Romans 6:3-4 - “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
THOUGHT
I am thankful to God that, through divine providence, I was able to witness the baptism of two of my many grandchildren this weekend.
Their decision to follow the path of righteousness—made possible through the redemptive power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ—was inspired by the faithful teachings of their parents and mentors. Choosing to be baptized signaled their acknowledgment of the need for the intervention and guidance of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as they continue life’s journey.
While I’m certain they do not yet grasp the full weight of their decision, I trust that, over time, they will. Those of us who love them will continue to encourage their growth in the Scriptures, their commitment to a God-inspired life, and their desire to let their light shine so that the glory of God is revealed through them.
Their baptism inspired me to seek a deeper understanding of the practice myself. While I have always known that baptism is a vital part of our faith—considered a sacrament just as holy as communion—I realized I was unfamiliar with its deeper historical and spiritual roots.
Most Christians view baptism as a rite of initiation into the faith, a public declaration of belief in Jesus Christ. But its origins trace back to the Old Testament, where it was first introduced as a ritual act of purification. God instructed Moses to build a basin so the temple priests could wash before entering the tabernacle:
“For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat… So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.”
The practice of ceremonial washing—known in Jewish tradition as mikveh—symbolized purification and spiritual renewal. These were not merely physical acts, but deeply spiritual rites intended to restore purity before God.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist carried this tradition forward, by using water baptism as a call to repentance and a renewed relationship with God.
But when Jesus—who was without sin—submitted Himself to be baptized by John, baptism became a symbol of the believer’s salvation through their belief in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.
Today, water baptism is practiced in several forms:Immersion: fully submerged in water (the method Jesus demonstrated)Aspersion: sprinkling waterAffusion: pouring water over the head
While immersion was the method demonstrated by Christ, there may be circumstances (such as illness, imprisonment, or lack of water) where the other methods may be preferred or deemed more appropriate. 
Please note: Water is the only permissible substance for baptism and should be accompanied by genuine repentance, a commitment to live as a servant of God, the bearing of spiritual fruit, and the hopeful expectation of eternal life.
Baptism is just the beginning of the spiritual journey of the new Christian.    I am filled with joy and anticipation to see how God will operate in the lives of these newly baptized souls!
Now comes the question…Have you been baptized?
If you are a believer in Christ, isn’t it time to make your commitment known?