The call to baptism is an invitation to a new way of living, a new life. William Willimon has written, "Baptism is a one-time event that takes a lifetime to finish." Another Christian scholar puts it this way: "Every day is a day of baptismal conversion, of dying and rising again with Christ, of taking new steps toward becoming more fully what, by the grace of God, we most truly are." God doesn’t just see us for who we are. He sees us for who we will be. Baptism signals our readiness to make that journey.

For further consideration: What is most surprising or mysterious to you about the way God accomplished the salvation of mankind? What do you consider to be the meaning of baptism in our church? Why do you think God chooses the wilderness as the place to communicate with His children? How have you been tested since you gave your life to Christ? During those times, do you feel you tried to rely on your own strength or did you rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in your heart and the Word of God in your mind? Are there things you can begin doing now that will better prepare you for trials you will face in the future?

Sitemap