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Identifying with God’s Family

Healthy families have family pride; members are not ashamed to be recognized as a part of the family. Sadly, I have met many believers who have never publicly identified themselves with their spiritual family as Jesus commanded – by being baptized.

Baptism is not an optional ritual, to be delayed or postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God’s family. It publicly announces to the world, “I am not ashamed to be a part of God’s family.” Jesus commanded this beautiful act for all in His family. He told us to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19) Baptism is the first step of obedience in a new Christian’s life, following the example of Jesus.

For years I wondered why Jesus’ Great Commission gives the same prominence to baptism as it does to the great tasks of evangelism and edification. Why is baptism so important? Then I realized it is because it symbolizes God’s second purpose for your life: Participating in the fellowship of God’s eternal family.

Baptism is full of (filled) with meaning. Your baptism declares your faith, shares Christ’s burial and resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old life, and announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your inclusion in God’s family as well as an act of obedience.

Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into His family: “…But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.” (I Cor. 12:13a)

Baptism doesn't make you a member of God’s family; only faith in Christ does that. Baptism shows that you are a part of God’s family. Like a wedding ring, it is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart. It is an act of initiation, not something you put off until you are spiritually mature. The only Biblical condition (for baptism) is that you believe (in Jesus as your Savior).

In the New Testament, people were baptized as soon as they believed. At Pentecost, 3000 people were baptized the same day they accepted Christ. Elsewhere an Ethiopian leader was baptized on the spot when he was converted, and Paul and Silas baptized a Philippian jailer and his family at midnight. There are no delayed baptisms in the New Testament. If you haven’t been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so as soon as possible, as Jesus commanded.

The Bible says, “Jesus and the people He makes holy all belong to the same family. That’s why He isn’t ashamed to call them His brothers and sisters.” (Heb. 2:11) Let that amazing truth sink in. You are a part of God’s family, and because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you. Taken from: The Purpose Driven Life By Rick Warren; Zondervan