An Outward Symbol of an Inward Change

Season 1 Episode 50 - One of the most common word pictures we encounter in our faith journey turns out to be one of the richest in meaning for me.  Listen and see if you also identify with this wonderful word picture from the Scriptures.

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast, where I am sharing what I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures in practical and meaningful ways.
 
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 Resources that inspired some episodes:

 “Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 6-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The program also provides mentoring in following Christ.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.   Every time I hear her, I am challenged and inspired.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.  It also has a multi-windowed display, so that you can simultaneously view a Bible translation, a dictionary, and a commentary.  You can also easily compare Bible translations in parallel windows.
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Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
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Transcript

As I watched a friend get baptized recently, I was reminded that, as a young adult, I did a word study on a passage from Romans 6 that showed me the value of looking for hidden treasures of wisdom in God’s Word, through study aides such as cross references and Greek and Hebrew word studies.  I got this idea of digging in the Bible for hidden treasures of wisdom from the following passage:

Proverbs 2:4-5 NASB  If you seek [wisdom] as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;  (5)  Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.

I have been using this approach of earnestly searching the Scriptures in my quiet times ever since.  In particular, my study of the following passage as a young adult forever changed my perspective on what it means to be a follower of Christ:

Romans 6:3-4 NASB  Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  (4)  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

In looking at the Greek word baptizo (bap-tid'-zo) translated as “baptized” in this passage, I found that it means just that.  But because I had learned that there are hidden treasures of wisdom in God’s Word for those who are willing to dig deeper, I kept digging.

In the passage above from Romans 6, the hidden treasure comes from following the Greek word baptizo (Strong’s number G907) back to its root word baptō  (Strong’s number G911), which means the following:

To whelm [cover or immerse completely], that is, cover wholly with a fluid… or (by implication) to stain (as with dye).

When I read this definition, the words seemed to leap off the page and into my heart!  Here is a wonderful word picture of baptism being compared to dyeing a cloth.  Consider this:  When we dye a cloth, the cloth goes into the vat as one color, but comes out another color.  Is the outside of the cloth the only thing that changes colors?  No, every fiber of that cloth changes color.  And if you have ever dyed cloth, you know that you cannot go back to the original color by merely washing the cloth – it is a permanent change.  

In the same way, baptism is a symbol of what God has done in and for us.  We were one “color” (dead) before we surrendered to Jesus, but His blood has changed our “color” – to resurrected, alive, forgiven, holy.  This “dyeing” process did not merely change our outward appearance – it changed every fiber of our inmost being, especially our hearts.  And this “dyeing of our hearts” process is a permanent change – hallelujah!  

As I began to grasp the significance of baptism as a result of this word study when I was a young adult, I also began to feel God’s gentle nudge.  Even though I had been baptized as a youth, I felt compelled to experience anew this symbol of identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection.  Armed with this new-found revelation of what it really means for a follower of Christ, I was baptized again.  The rich symbolism of Romans 6:4 took on new meaning for me:  “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  And ever since, I have never been able to view a baptism ceremony without being reminded of this wonderful word picture.

By the way, please hear what I am not saying.  I am not trying to present a case against infant or youth baptism.  I am also not saying that everyone should be baptized again as an adult.  Just because God led me to do this does not mean that God will lead everyone to do so.  (But if He does lead you to do so, I encourage you to do it!)  I am merely trying to expand our understanding of what the Bible says about this wonderful symbol of baptism for the believer.  Just as viewing a wedding ceremony should make us reflect upon the profound mystery of our love for our spouse and for our eternal Bridegroom, so also the viewing of a baptism ceremony should remind us of this powerful word picture of our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.  We have so much to be grateful for!

O God, the treasures of Your Word are inexhaustible!  Thank You for reminding me again this week about the precious truths You teach us about our life in Christ through the rich word picture of baptism.  We really do identify with Christ’s death (going into the water) and His resurrection (coming up out of the water) through baptism.  Thank You that we are “dyed” with the precious blood of Christ, that forever changes every fiber of our being.  Help me to articulate this truth (that Christ changes us totally) to the people around me in a winsome way.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”