Why Are You Baptizing?

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

John 1:24-28  The Message

^24-25 Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party. Now they had a question of their own: “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”
^26-27 John answered, “I only baptize using water. A person you don’t recognize has taken his stand in your midst. He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
²⁸ These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.

For Reflection

 Baptism was practiced in the Jewish faith.  It was some times used after a circumcision as a rite of purification. 

John baptized as a purification rite.  John baptized to prepare people for the coming of Christ.  John baptized at a place which may have been the place where Israel had passed over Jordan into the land of promise.

And so it is today, baptism purifies in preparation for a life in God.  Baptism is a rite of passage, passing from the old life into the new life lived in righteousness.

Pray

pray prayers for the church which sustains the baptism of us all.  Pray that you will remember the meaning of your baptism and abide in God.