The Need for Baptism – March 9, 2023

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
John 3:5,6

The Need for Baptism

The man talking to Jesus was confused. How do you enter the kingdom of God?

Jesus explained that people enter the kingdom of God when they are baptized. Baptism is not just plain water but water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word, which is how the Holy Spirit does his work. Because baptism is like starting over in life, Jesus compares it to being born. Jesus was telling the man that he needed to be baptized.

You need to be baptized too. Baptism gives you forgiveness for your sins, and you need forgiveness.

You need to be baptized. Baptism makes you holy, cleansing you by the washing with water through the word. Without holiness you cannot enter heaven, where everything is holy.

You need to be baptized. Baptism clothes you with Christ. When you are wearing the spiritual clothes of Christ, the only man who has ever lived a holy life, you appear holy in the eyes of God the Father, and he welcomes you into his kingdom.

You need to be baptized. Baptism makes you a child of God, a member of his family. With baptism you can call God your Father, and you can depend on his Son, Jesus Christ, your brother.

You need to be baptized. Baptism connects you to the death of Jesus, and that payment for your sins on the cross is exactly what you need to go through death and enter eternal life in heaven.

You need to be baptized. Baptism saves you, not because it removes dirt from your body, but because it connects you to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and gives you a clear conscience.

You need to be baptized!

Prayer:
Let me always, Lord, remember that the water and the Word bear your never-failing promise: my salvation is assured. Amen.