The Sacrament of Baptism

EIBC Devotional #17 - “From Death to Life”

Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Pastor Zach Emory

Scripture - Colossians 3:1-4 

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

This Sunday, we will observe the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is an important moment in the life of a Christian. It is the personal recognition and public proclamation of Jesus as Lord, and the water that covers the one making the profession of faith is a symbol of Jesus’ blood washing away their sins and granting them with new life. The moment of baptism is a symbol of dying to self and being raised to Christ. One becomes a new person and is gifted with new eyes with which to see the world. The past is gone and the new comes. Paul urges us, after the moment of our baptism, to seek the things above because “we have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3). We become the hands and feet of Christ in the world because we invite His Holy Spirit into our hearts. We are sealed with a promise that, because of our faith in Jesus, we too will be revealed in glory with Him at the appointed time. 

Questions for Reflection

When were you baptized, and what did that moment mean to you?

How are you practicing your new life in Christ?

Prayer - Loving God, thank You for raising me to a new life, so that I might have salvation. Help me to seek the things above and not below, and make me a new creature in Your eyes. Amen.