The "B-word"

It's just a word, but it's much more. For some it's statement of faith, for others it's a line in the sand, still others see it as a choice, some just scratch their head and don't get it and for the rest of us it's a necessary part of the plan of salvation. It's one of those explosive words that can bring instant harmony or certain distress into any conversation. It has divided families and Churches, been the undoing of thousands of trees for the paper used to print the millions of books on the subject.

Baptism.

At this point in many of my thoughts I would say..."for me...", but not on this one. I just don't get it. It's as plain as the nose on my face (and trust me, you can't miss mine). Baptism is essential to salvation. God, through his holy, inspired word, has made this clear. We can debate things like instrumental/Acapella music, or preaching styles or missionaries all day long because there is some room in many aspects of Christianity for interpretation. However, baptism is a straight-forward, salvation issue. God commands it, he shows us time and again examples of those being saved when they are baptized...so...what's the big deal?

In my humble opinion, I think part of it is simple laziness. Why bother getting all wet and putting yourself out there for everyone to see, when you can call yourself a Christian just be uttering a few words? When you do that, it's more like a new year's resolution..."I'm going to be a better person, I'm going to be Christian", then when you fall short you can just forget it all happened and be done with it and go about the life you had before all this. Christ knows we are going to fall short and disappoint him, but we are saved by his blood, his sacrifice, his pain...he died for us, can't we just do a simple act that he asks of us? When you give yourself to Christ and are baptized you die to the sin and pain of your old self and come up out of the water a new person, cleansed by the blood that Christ bled on the cross FOR YOU.

Every "serious" person of Christ that I have every met has been baptized even if they didn't think it was essential to salvation.

Maybe that's why the muslim faith is growing so much, there's no such thing as baptism in it. you can be a muslim just be uttering a few words. Yes, to be a "super-muslim" you have to visit Mecca, but how many of the 1.2 billion muslims have actually done that?

Just something I was thinking about. Yes, a little venting.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:37-39

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26,27