Jesus is our role model. He calls us: „Follows Follow me!“ (Matthew 4:19) What is recorded about Jesus' baptism? Matthew chapter 3, verses 13-17 NLB:

„Around this time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John refused. ‚Actually, I should be baptised by you,‘ he said, ‚why? Will you come to me?‘

Jesus replied: ‚It has to be. We must keep everything as it should be from God.‘ Then John baptised him.

When Jesus rose out of the water, openThen the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‚This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.‘“

So:

❱ Jesus wanted to do everything (according to a modern translation: New Life Bible) „as it should be from God.“ According to Luther's translation, he said: „we all deserve to fulfil justice. ...“

❱ He climbed out of the water. He was baptised by immersion in the Jordan. The Bible shows us that immersion is a symbol of burial. In Romans 6:3, 4 we read:

„You know what happened at baptism: we were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ and therefore also share in his death. So through baptism we have died and been buried with Christ. And how Christ through the glory and Power of his father raised from the dead we also have a new life and should now act in the way that corresponds to this new life.“

So my old life is symbolically buried. I rise to a new life. This is to testify that I have given up my self-determined life. Instead, I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour for a new life with him (John 1:12.13).

❱ Jesus received the Holy Spirit on this occasion. Luke reports this in chapter 3:21.22: „As he prayed, a window opened heaven and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove.“ Those who surrender to God receive the Holy Spirit in response to their prayer.

Whoever does this brings God great joy. We little people can actually bring joy to the great and glorious God, our dear Father in heaven!

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, an influential and highly educated scribe, about baptism and the new birth: „Unless someone from Wasser and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.“

That is clear and unambiguous! And Jesus means exactly what he says. We do not always immediately understand God's ways, which he has mapped out for us in his great love. But we can know that Jesus Christ is also speaking to us here. What he says is vital! And he always has our best interests at heart!

John 3:5: „Verily, verily, I say you: Unless someone is born out of Water and spirit, he cannot enter the realm of of God come.“

What does this „new birth“ of water and the Spirit mean? This describes a fulfilled new life in close contact with Jesus, to whom we give full control.

This is symbolised by the submersion in water. It shows the burial of my self-centred life. Jesus said: „Who He who loses HIS life for my sake will find it.“ (Luke 9:24)

„But I have come to bring them life - life in all its fullness.“ (John, 10.10 New Testament)

„I am telling you this so that my joy to you Fulfilled and your joy is complete.“ (John 15:11)

Being born of the Spirit means that it is no longer my old self-centred nature that defines me, but that I am inwardly changed by the Holy Spirit. And that Jesus now shares my life through the Holy Spirit. Why the comparison with a birth? A newborn baby is a complete human being, but it needs care and must grow.

Titus 3:5: „Our Saviour makes us blessed - not for the sake of works of righteousness for the sake of which we done had, but according to his mercy

– through the bath of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit.“

We always find these two factors - devotion to Jesus and a life in close contact with him through the Holy Spirit. We have been saved by God's grace and if we stay connected to him, we will have a fulfilled life.

2 Corinthians 5:17: „Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, new things are become.“

When we are closely united with Christ, he changes us through the Holy Spirit and makes us into loving people. Little by little, our ability to love and appreciate God, our fellow human beings and ourselves grows.

On his departure, Jesus gave the disciples a great commission. It is the command that has had the greatest impact on this earth. And it is still followed worldwide.

„And Jesus stepped to and spoke to them: Me all power is given in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.“ (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus„ last command is to proclaim the good news of salvation to all peoples, to teach them his words and to baptise them. This command remains valid throughout the centuries until the end of human history. One small word in this missionary mandate of Jesus is repeated several times to show how comprehensive it is meant. The little word “all".

„I have been given all Violence.“

„Make disciples all Nations and baptise them.“

„And teach them to hold everything, what I give you have ordered.“

„And I am with you all Days until the world The end.“

We recognise the mission of Jesus:

❱ Anyone who has become a disciple and follower of Jesus should help other people to become a „disciple“ too. („Make disciples.“)

❱ Anyone who has decided on a personal friendship with Jesus and follows him has thereby become a „disciple“ and should be baptised. („Make disciples and baptise them.“)

❱ Those who have initially only learnt the basic teachings of the Bible in order to enter into a personal relationship should then continue to learn, grow and mature. („And teach them keep all that I have commanded you.“)

❱ Jesus makes an invaluable promise to everyone who follows his mission. („And I am with to you always, until the end of the world.“) Jesus wants to share our lives and fill us with his perfect love. He wants to guide, bless and protect us.

Here we recognise that this mission of Jesus concerns us all - every person, everywhere in the world, in all times, irrevocably! Jesus is already speaking here in his divine authority: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Jesus states as a prerequisite for baptism: being a disciple, i.e. a personal Cultivate a loving relationship with God, live with him and follow him.

For me it is an important thought that the Bible compares the relationship with Jesus with a marriage, i.e. with a relationship of love and trust. e.g. it says in Ephesians 5:31.32: „‚That's why A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I point it to Christ and the church.‘

How does a relationship between a man and a woman usually develop? You see each other for the first time, mutual interest and affection develop immediately or a little later. It grows into friendship, infatuation, love and the decision to live together. The engagement period is exciting and thrilling: we get to know each other better and better, and the two families also get to know each other. And then we get married!

The first fundamental surrender to Jesus, which takes place in a prayer of surrender, can be compared to an engagement. Such a prayer of surrender can read:

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you died and rose again for me. I am a sinner, please forgive me. Come into my life now. I cannot save myself. I cannot earn eternal life. That's why I trust you. Deliver me from the power of evil. Give me the strength to follow You. With all that I am and have, I surrender to You now. I accept eternal life. I have not earned it, but I thank You for this gift. Amen.

This is explained in detail in St Andrew's Letter 13: „Take hold of life in a personal relationship with Christ.“ I wish everyone who intends to be baptised this „engagement time“ first. It helps us to then enter into an intimate relationship with Jesus for the rest of our lives with firm inner conviction, conviction of heart and great joy. It can protect us from deficiencies in our preparation for baptism, which God might not recognise as a result.

The apostle Paul says: „I have engaged you with a single man, so that I may a pure virgin.“ (2 Corinthians 11:2)

We can compare the wedding with baptism. In baptism, we enter into a covenant with Jesus that will guide us with him throughout our lives. We „marry“ Jesus. He loves us so much that he laid down his life for us. There is no greater love. We want to walk together with him and our brothers and sisters in faith in Jesus - his church - all the way into the kingdom of God. („But the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.“)“ - Acts 2:47) Baptism is our confession before God and man that we now belong to Jesus.

Jesus says to those who have accepted him into their lives: „Abide in me and I will abide in you. ... He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit.“ (John 15:4,5)

Much fruit, rich fruit is produced through divine/human cooperation. This shows us that Jesus accompanies us on our journey through life. He wants to bring about much fruit through our lives. How can I remain in Jesus?

„Abide in me and I in you.“ This means:

❱ A constant receiving of his spirit,

❱ a life of unreserved devotion to his service. This precise explanation has opened my eyes in my life and given me clarity for my walk with God. (The Life of Jesus, p. 675)

Jesus says: „Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.“ (Mark 16:16 NLB) Yes, according to the words of Jesus, baptism is an important, decisive event. Jesus takes baptism that seriously. Every person is called to fulfil Jesus' instruction, everyone should have baptism performed on them.

And in what outward form? Just as this sacred act was instituted by Jesus in the church through immersion.

We ask ourselves: How did the apostles, who were personally taught by Jesus, fulfil this commission? The apostles only knew and recognised one baptism.

„One Lord, one faith, one baptism.“ (Ephesians 4:5)

After this one baptism, let us look again at the Word of God. For it alone is instituted by Jesus Christ - and therefore valid.

Whitsun: Baptism of around 3,000 people

Peter was addressed by the listeners at the end of his Pentecost sermon. We read about this in Acts 2:37-39 Hfa:

„When people heard that, they were amazed by this Message deeply affected. (It went through their Heart.) They asked Peter and the other apostles: ‚Brothers, what should we do?‘ Peter urged them to ‚Turn to God‘ (repent).

‚Let each of you call on the name of Jesus Be baptised into Christ! Then God will give you your sins will be forgiven, and you will receive the receive the Spirit. This promise applies to you, your descendants and the people of the whole world whom the Lord our God has called to himself. becomes.‘“

Peter knows only one answer to this important question: „What should we do?“ He says:

„Repent.“ Turn back to God. - Baptism is completely meaningless if a person does not repent of his past and does not turn away from his sins.

Yes, repentance is an essential prerequisite for baptism. 1 John 1:9 assures us:

„But if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and Cleans us from all Injustice.“

It is important to organise our lives with God's help before we enter into our precious relationship with Jesus through baptism.

The baptism of an Ethiopian prince

Let's look at another biblical baptism in Acts 8:35-39: „Then Philip opened his mouth and began with this word of Scripture and preached the gospel to him from Jesus. And as them on the Street there, they came to some water. Then the comb saidmerer: ‚Behold, there is water; what is there to prevent me from being baptised? But Philip said:

‚If you believe with all your heart, you can it is done.‘ But he answered and said: ‚I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God‘. And

He let the car stop, and they both got into down the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him. But when they came out of the water ascended, the Spirit of the Lord raptured the Philip, and the eunuch did not see him But he went on his way cheerfully.“

What an inspiring report! „If you believe with all your heart, it can happen.“ Yes, that's right: believe in Christ and receive him with all your heart, then it will be a baptism in the sense of the Holy Scriptures.

All of this raises a question: how can babies and small children learn and understand all of this? It is impossible for a child's mind to grasp all these truths and take the required steps. Now we understand Jesus when he sets out the order: First instruction, then baptism! Obviously young children should not be baptised in this way, which did not happen in the time of the early church either; we find no example of this in the Holy Scriptures.

How did infant baptism come about? It only came about later. Even if many people like the baptism of children very much, we must realise that this form of baptism is contrary to the Bible, because Jesus expects the individual to be taught first. He should believe and repent and obey so that baptism does not become an empty, meaningless form.

An elderly woman was asked: „Why do you belong to this church of all churches?“ She replied: „Because my mother had me baptised in this church when I was born.“ The preacher went on to ask: „If your mother had had you baptised a Buddhist, would you be a Buddhist today?“ „Yes, that's quite possible,“ the woman agreed a little thoughtfully.

Baptism is intended to express a person's well-considered and heartfelt decision to entrust themselves to Christ forever.

Note what Jesus says to John the Baptist before his baptism (Matthew 3:15):

„Let it happen now! Because that's what we deserve, to fulfil all justice“ or in modern terms: „It has to be. We have to do everything as it should be from God.“ (NLB)

Jesus, the sinless one, considered baptism to be absolutely necessary for his own life. This shows us that this is also the right path for us. We want to follow Jesus. In any case, all those who do so are under his favour and that of the Father.

We also want to pay attention: „When Jesus was baptised, he immediately came up out of the water.“ He also experienced complete baptism in water - for him a symbol of his future death, burial and resurrection.

Baptism is therefore a symbol of burial. Can water save people? No. But no one can be saved without water if they have seen and recognised the truth about biblical baptism. Certainly not.

John 3:5 says: „Jesus answered, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot do not enter the kingdom of God.“

Water baptism is an essential step in our saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

In baptism, we share in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. If we die with him in this way, we will also live with him. The cross is the sign of redemption for a lost world. Baptism is a symbol that we want to unite ourselves forever with Jesus - the Saviour - in his suffering and death and his resurrection. The great significance of baptism in the life of a Christian can also be seen in Galatians 3:27-29:

„For all of you who have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ. ... But if you belong Christ, you are Abraham's children and heirs according to the promise.“

And then the wonderful promise: „There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.“ (Romans 8:1)

Baptism cleanses us from the sins of our past, and thus man receives the righteousness of Christ, i.e. he stands before God as if he had never sinned. We will hear more about the effectiveness and significance of such cleansing: „But you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified by the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.“ (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Sanctification, justification and washing away are listed together as essential links in the chain of salvation.

We know that a chain with a missing link is completely worthless. We do not want to jeopardise our membership of the kingdom of God by leaving out the important link of baptism.

Let us continue reading what Paul writes in Titus 3:4.5: „But when kindness appeared and human love of God our Saviour, he saved us - not because of the works of righteousness we had done, but according to his mercy - through the bath of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit.“

Here we learn how important the bath of rebirth is - the cleansing that God performs on us, through which he welcomes us into the fellowship of his presence.

If someone wants to start afresh, they must confess that they have been living wrongly up to now. The intention to put an end to the old life is also part of this. But then the cleansing bath of baptism is part of it.

Let's read one of our source texts again: „One Lord, one faith, one baptism.“ (Ephesians 4:5)

If the God of heaven recognises only one baptism and this baptism is essential for salvation, can there be any reason for someone to renounce baptism?

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul compares baptism to a funeral. At a funeral, you don't just sprinkle a little earth on the head of the dead person. So no one is really baptised when a little water is sprinkled on their head. This custom is not found in the Bible, it was only introduced later. Let us not forget that for every commandment given by God, Satan has a substitute, or rather a counterfeit. And he claims that the counterfeit is just as good as the original. But counterfeits will not stand up to scrutiny on Judgement Day.

Tourists asked a Greek shoemaker about the meaning of the word „baptism“ in his language. He dropped the shoe he was working on and said: „Baptise? Baptidzo - to dip, to immerse, like dyeing a dress.“