Baptism is prophetic. It points to a present and future reality; it represents our current resurrection life and augurs our future physical resurrection that will only be experienced at the end of history.
Readings and reflections
1. It’s vital that we understand our future hope of resurrection. God promises us,
‘For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.’ (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
What is promised for all Christians and when will this happen?
2. Resurrection life is ‘now and not yet’. It’s something that we have already, but will only experience fully at the resurrection.
‘For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.’ (Romans 6:5)
What do we have and what will we have in the future?
3. Baptism - going down into water and rising again - could be seen as symbolising the planting and growing of a seed. At this time of year when the nights are getting longer and the leaves are falling, we look forward to the spring; likewise, a Christian is to look forward to their hope. Paul writes,
‘So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.’ (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
What are the things that are said of our current bodies?
What is promised regarding the body of every Christian?
To memorise this week
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
To consider this week
Do you need to be baptised? If you’d like to discuss this, please contact the church office or talk to your Community Group leader.
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - GO AND BAPTISE
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Do any of you have a story of overcoming obstacles to your being baptised?
Introduction - please share in your group
On Sunday, we continued in our series on discipleship. Last week, we considered how disciples are those who say "yes" to Jesus. Specifically, we are those who want to be disciples and are actively seeking to be involved in helping others to grow in their faith.
This week, and in our devotionals, we will see that disciples get baptised and seek to be involved in bringing people to Jesus and seeing them baptised. The Great Commission speaks of baptism,
‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Baptism is an object lesson in what it means to be a Christian. It points to the sublime spiritual realities that 'Christians have been washed and made new.
Through faith in Christ, their sins are washed away.
In Christ, they have been made new, as our memory verse expresses it,
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17)