Water baptism is an outward expression of faith in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It is the demonstration of the belief that he took the penalty of death for our sin, and we now live in his righteousness and salvation. 

In baptism, symbolically, a person is immersed in water as an act of repentance, a willful turning of the heart from sin. But something else happens. Pastor Franklin used today’s scripture verse to symbolize the water being turned into blood by the power of God. The blood is important because “without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) Meaning Christ’s blood acquired forgiveness for us, the canceling of the debt for our sin nature, the wiping away of the remembrance of our sins, as far as the east is from the west. For those who give their lives over to Christ, Jesus would say, ‘You are forgiven. I paid for this.’ 

Why is forgiveness so important? Because the condemnation of sin and guilt separates us from God. Many men have died with their last dying breath filled with regret and the heavy weight of guilt. But for the believer, death is simply a transition from this earthly life to an eternal one with Jesus and the Father in heaven. For not only did they die in Christ when they accepted him into their hearts, but they were raised together with him. Colossians 3:1,3 says, “If then you were raised with Christ … for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Water baptism is not only symbolic of repentance, but also being raised in Christ in the newness of life. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 makes it clear in describing the new birth in Christ, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is the revelation that water baptism brings. 

As the old hymn says, ‘Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.’ Jesus paid it all. And that he did.

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for the power of Your blood and the gift of new life. Thank You for taking my place and canceling the debt I could never repay. As I reflect on my baptism (or prepare for it), help me never lose sight of what it represents, death to sin and resurrection to new life in You. Wash me daily with Your Word, renew my mind, and remind me that I am no longer who I used to be. I am forgiven, redeemed, and raised to life. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

If you have been baptized, take time this week to reflect on your baptism. What old things did you leave behind? What new habits, mindsets, or relationships has God called you into since? Write down a declaration of your identity in Christ, who you are now because of his death and resurrection. Let this truth shape how you live, speak, and think each day.