Friday, March 09, 2012
What A Privilege
I sat at a dockside cafe in Newport RI wondering what it felt like to live the privileged life of the people who were stepping off their private yacht and heading toward a day of expensive shopping and exquisite dining. I wasn’t jealous, just curious. Then I reflected on how privileged I have been compared to much of the world. I live in a free country, was raised in a loving, Christian home, had been given opportunities to go to school and work, and was allowed to choose the person I would marry. But none of those privileges even remotely compares to the “underserved privilege” of being part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Being born again of the water and the Spirit (see John 3:5) tops all lists.
2. Our sins are washed away forever.
3. It is a rite of passage into God’s Kingdom.
4. Our obedience frees God to treat us like his own.
5. It gives us authority to use the family name.
If you have not made your move, don’t pass up your chance. If you have been baptized in Jesus name, tell someone how it changed your life so they can have that same privilege.
Believers are privileged in a way that is more valuable than money, power or fame. St Paul put it like this: “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:2 NLT)
How did I come by this privilege? I simply obeyed God. Baptism was my big break. It was the best decision I ever made. It was my way of saying to God that I wanted to side with Him and be a part of His Kingdom. According to the Bible, when I was baptized my sins were eradicated, I was declared righteous, I was made a son of God. The combination of water baptism and Spirit baptism insures that I have eternal life; that God has prepared a place prepared for me and that I will rule and reign with Christ forever!
Baptism is what I do to embrace the privileged life God offers to me. Baptism in Jesus name was foreshadowed in Old Testament, modeled by Jesus, commanded by Jesus, Peter and Paul, and practiced by the first century church. The Interpreter’s Dictionary says it this way: “The evidence of Acts 2:38; 10:48 (cf. 8:16; 19:5), supported by Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3, suggests that baptism in early Christianity was administered, not in the threefold name, but ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ or ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus.’”
Someone may be wondering, “If baptism is so great, what’s the catch?” The catch is that we must give up our puny plans and our hope that we can save ourselves and we join in His abundant life. We have to give up our kingship so he can be King. Again, St Paul expresses the sentiments of true believers when he writes: “Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),” (Philippians 3:8 AMP)
What does baptism accomplish? Here’s the short list:
1. We get to publicly declare obedience to Christ and His lordship2. Our sins are washed away forever.
3. It is a rite of passage into God’s Kingdom.
4. Our obedience frees God to treat us like his own.
5. It gives us authority to use the family name.
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