Baptism is symbolic of being dead, buried and resurrected along with Jesus. Through the Holy Baptism we become children of God and are admitted into the church of Christ. Baptism is one of the Christian sacraments. Baptism is the transliterated word for Greek ‘Baptismos’. There was ceremonial cleansing or washing among the Jewish people. Not only the priests but also their dresses as well as the sacrificial utensils were subjected to washing (Ex. 19:10-14, Lev. 8:6, Mk. 7:3,4, Heb. 9:10). In all these places the verbal root of the Greek word baptiso is used. The Baptism which John the Baptist gave to declare the advent of Jesus to prepare the way for him was Judaic in origin. Those people who repented and decided to live an ethical life took Baptism under John. Jesus also took Baptism under John not for repentance but to reveal that he is a complete man. So Jesus said, “Let it be so now: It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Jn. 3:15). Here the importance is to the implementation of Justice through observance. Jesus accepts Baptism as a symbol of entering into the announcement of the Messianic message.

1. Salvation through the Ark (Gen. 7:11-24)
St. Peter records the escape of ‘a few’ in the ark during the flood at the time Noah as a symbol of baptism (1 Pet. 3:19-21). ‘A few’ that is, only eight persons were saved from the flood in the ark. Peter sees this as something in advance in the place of baptism. Baptism is not an ordinary bath that washes away the dirt on our body. We are saved through the resurrection of Jesus as a request for a good conscience towards God. St Paul thinks of the crossing of the Red Sea by the people of Israel as baptism through the sea (Ex. 14:15-31, 1Cor. 10:1,2). The flood was sent to cleanse the earth. The crossing of the Red Sea gave a permanent freedom for the people of Israel from the slavery of Pharaoh. The same way Baptism symbolizes a new relationship and the admission of a person into the church which is the body of Christ.

2. A call to deny self like Christ (Jn. 12:20-26)
Even though baptism is an observance, it symbolizes getting united with Christ. The name of Jesus is declared over the candidate of baptism. The candidate accepts the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16; Rom. 10:9,10). The first step to unite with Jesus is to wash away the sin (Heb. 10:22; 1 Cor. 6:11; Acts. 22:16). What happens in Baptism is that a believer declares that he has become a new creation receiving a new personality through baptism at the death of the old personality. That is to say, baptism points to the act of participation in the death and resurrection with Christ and putting on Christ upon oneself (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27). Christ calls us to become grains of wheat to fall on the ground and die to give much fruit. He who loves his life in this world will lose it. But he who hates his own life will keep it for eternal life (Jn. 12:25). Jesus taught at this background. There is a call to take up one’s own cross and follow Jesus. The unity with Christ is the unity with the church. The Church is the body of the Christ. He who does not join with the body to him it is impossible to join with the head (1 Cor. 12:12,13; Acts 2:41).

3. Die and rise with Christ (Rom. 6:9-14)
We are baptized to unite with Jesus Christ to take participate in the death of Christ through baptism. Not only we are buried with Christ, but also walk in the newness of life of resurrection through the glory of the Father. The apostles give the idea regarding baptism as follows: Joined with Christ (Gal. 3:27), Joined with the Church - Joined with the Christian community (Acts 2:41, 1 Cor. 12:12, 13). As partners in the death and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12), we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and pray to God for good conscience (1 Pet. 3:21; Titus 3:6,7). Therefore it is said that if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. We accept baptism symbolically as ‘… whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered’ (Ps. 32:1), for the remission of sins that God has prepared through Jesus Christ for us. Thus a person enters into new birth through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3, 5). Those who enter into membership in the church through the sacrament of baptism should know the following facts.

1. Join with Christ (Gal. 3:27)
2. Join with church – the Christian community (Acts 2:41; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13).
3. We share the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).
4. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:38).
5. We pray for good conscience (1 Pet. 3:21; Tit. 3:6, 7).

Collect: Gracious God, we acknowledge your grace and compassion upon us. We thank you for the sacrament of Baptism which unites us in Christ bringing life from death to sin and raises us up for newness of life. Enlighten us to grow up in this understanding so that we can witness your grace that enables us to partake in Christ for new possibilities of relationship and reconciliation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.