“Christian Baptism”

On a few occasions in earlier years, there arose a need to produce a Baptismal Certificate, certainly one time before our Church Wedding. You may have had a need to show your completion of this Rite as well. My baptism was as a baby, which, in the direst of economic times, was left to me to later understand. Faith and belief was never in serious danger, but learning and comprehension came much slower than I would have liked. Learning was entirely self-taught, primarily through Holy Bible reading(not memorizing), in my mid-years. That means I did not open to read my Family Bible Wedding Gift for all too many years; no reason, just one excuse after another, which I learned was my terrible loss. St. Augustine had his words for it: “Too late have I loved You…” It was almost too late for me, too. Other, carefully chosen books also were invaluable in helping to form and cement firm and unshakable faith. One will never know or learn everything about his faith he can only persevere. Of utmost importance to determining whether or not you are on the right road to obeying God and His Law, and reaching for Eternity, is seriously consider the source of your material and the authority of your faith leaders. Discovering truths is never-ending. One mustn’t rely entirely on others to tell you what you ought to know. A lively faith and an inquisitive mind are healthy for personal growth and understanding, and accepting wonderful, unexplainable, existing mysteries. Recently celebrating local Mass of Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River brought me to wonder how countless many baptized Christians truly know what their baptism means. Subconsciously I knew, but when I read the words of Jesus in the Bible, baptism’s meaning affected my mind ever clearer - as it should. No one need interpret Jesus’ words here. When you read the Bible (the oldest, least tampered with is best), unless you deliberately think on what you read, there is always the danger of overlooking the meanings of Jesus’ words. However, voluminous, your readings ought to be savored and not rushed. The Bible is the Guide by which to set your life. For example, take Jesus’ explanation of “rebirth” as He spoke with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (Jn. 3:1). Jesus told Nicodemus, “Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the (Holy) Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5). Do you realize what those 2000-year-old words say? A baptized Christian should understand what a powerful statement Jesus makes, and what it means to you. (If you have family members not baptized, Jesus’ words reveal that someone is grossly derelict in their responsibility, and must quickly correct this grievous error.) The goal of every baptized Christian is to reach the kingdom of God Who made us, the attainment of salvation and return to eternal life with God in Paradise. That is your goal - unless you are disposed to the alternative. We can attain to God and His kingdom only through Christ, by “water and the receiving of the Holy Spirit” on the blessed day of your baptism. This means truly a new birth because in baptism we received the seed of a new participation in life. Before we receive this sacrament we have only a human life, afterwards we participate in the life of and put on Christ (Gal.3:27). Spiritually there is no question of a re-clothing, but of a man’s intimate being, and transforms him so profoundly that he is in Christ, a new creature (2 Cor 5:17) born of the Spirit, not of the will of man, but of God (Jn. 1:13). The words of St. Paul are significant: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into His (Jesus’) death were buried with Him by baptism into His death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we also may walk in newness of life?” (Rom 6: 3-4). Baptized, born again in Christ, we must live a new life in Him and live a life like Jesus. For as Christ “died to sin, once for all,” that is, by His death destroyed men’s sins, “so you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus…for sin will have no dominion over you” (Rom. 6:10-14). What does all this mean to me, you may ask. If you are a Christian reading this, active in your faith or not, it ought to be easy for you to know how you stand with God. It comes down to being honest with God and yourself. Now that you know what your baptism truly means, there is no room for deceiving yourself. You decide how your loving God sees you. Heartfelt mending likely is in order. Listen to your conscience, a link to God. The reality is that every sin, fault or voluntary negligence dishonors Christ and grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. Your conscience knows of any lapse in your Christian duty. Being “dead to sin” takes effort. Your Baptismal Record attests to your rite to being wholly directed toward acquiring fullness of life in Christ – you, too, ought to know and be aware of it. Without our understanding and cooperation, it is possible for the baptismal life of the Holy Spirit in us to remain dangerously stationary for many, many years. No one can enliven your rebirth for you. It is up to you. With just a brief, one-day glance at our world, I feel certain that countless Christians need to personally engage their minds on this vital matter now, as a start to attain their promised eternal salvation. “You never know.” Peace and happiness through the Holy Spirit be with you in this life … Thanks for visiting. - Bob 1 Tim 3:16 Happy New Year in Christ