The sound of water alerts us. Or reminds us. Or informs us.
The rain falls. The waterfalls drops. The water bottle waits. The ocean shouts. The river runs.
In a recent Chapel service, the sound of water at baptism alerted and reminded and informed. I heard the water as we helped students state their faith in baptism. I heard the biblical and historical reminders of baptism—the meaning, the importance, the smiles, the tears.
It thought about these words. These old words which sound so new to me today.
[1] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? [2] By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? [3] Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:1-4 NIV)
[18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. [19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— [20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, [21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:18-22 NIV)
[19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] 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 28:19-20 NIV)
Read the words. Study the stories. Listen to the sound of water. Think about baptism, about Jesus, about you.
Remember the meaning. Rejoice at the sound of truth baptism tells.
It is amazing how something as simple as water can have such a profound impact on us spiritually. Water represents baptism, purity, and being saved. It is so basic and simple, but it means so much.
We can’t survive without water and water is so pure. The fact that baptism is done with water is not a coincidence. When someone gets baptised they are in pure water that is saving them and dedicating their life to the lord. The water is so pure it is used to symbolise someone being saved.
Water is such an important part of our lives and for it to be a part of baptism shows the importance that water is for us. It is one of the purest things on our earth, so when you’re baptized in it, it shows that you come out pure because you are confident in your relationship with the lord.
Water is crucial for our survival and I believe that God intended it to be that way. Water is used to clean the dirt off of our bodies. Baptism symbolizes that the water is cleansing us from the inside out. Meaning we are now made new and pure.