Celebrating New Life: The Power of Baptism

Devotional

Day 1: Buried and Raised with Christ—A New Life Begins

Water baptism is a vivid picture of dying to the old self and rising to new life in Christ. Just as Jesus was buried and raised from the dead, so too, through baptism, believers publicly declare that their old ways are left behind and they are now walking in the newness of life. This act is not just symbolic but a powerful spiritual moment, marking the end of the old and the beginning of a transformed journey with God. [06:20]

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: What is one old habit or attitude you need to leave behind as you embrace your new life in Christ, and how can you take a practical step today to walk in that newness?

Day 2: Baptism—A Step of Obedience, Not Just a Ritual

Baptism is not an empty tradition or a means of salvation, but a step of obedience that follows genuine repentance and faith in Jesus. It is a public declaration that the inward change brought by Christ has already taken place, much like a graduation ceremony celebrates what has already been accomplished. True baptism must be rooted in personal belief and repentance, not just the outward act of getting wet. [07:48]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Have you ever relied on outward actions or rituals for your sense of spiritual security? How can you focus more on genuine faith and obedience in your walk with God today?

Day 3: Unashamed—Boldly Declaring Your Belonging to Jesus

Baptism is a bold, public statement that you are not ashamed of the gospel and that you belong to Jesus. It is a declaration before heaven, earth, and even the spiritual realm that you are identified with Christ. This act of courage is a way of saying, “I am unashamed of the gospel,” and it marks a spiritual victory parade, celebrating the freedom and new identity found in Christ. [12:58]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel hesitant to publicly identify as a follower of Jesus, and what is one way you can boldly declare your faith this week?

Day 4: Leaving the Old Behind—Embracing New Freedom

Baptism is a powerful act of separation from the old life, just as Israel left Egypt and passed through the Red Sea into a new journey with God. It is a celebration of freedom, where the chains of the past are broken and a new creation emerges. This is not just a funeral for the old self, but a joyful celebration of the new life and freedom that Christ has given. [16:09]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one way you can celebrate and live out your new identity in Christ today, especially when old patterns try to resurface?

Day 5: Today Is Your Day—Responding to God’s Call

There is always an open invitation to respond to God’s call—whether for the first time or as a recommitment. Baptism is a moment to mark a turning point, to publicly declare your faith, or to make a fresh start after wandering. God’s grace is available, and today can be the day you choose to repent, believe, and receive the new life He offers, stepping forward in obedience and surrender. [29:24]

Acts 2:41 (ESV)
"So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

Reflection: Is there a step of faith or obedience God is prompting you to take today—such as baptism, recommitment, or surrendering an area of your life? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him right now?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of celebration, transformation, and new beginnings. Water baptism is not just a ritual or tradition—it is a powerful public declaration of faith, a bold step of obedience, and a vivid picture of the gospel at work in our lives. When someone steps into the water, it’s a symbolic act of dying to the old self, being buried with Christ, and rising again to walk in newness of life. This is not about simply getting wet; it’s about identifying so closely with Jesus that His story becomes our story. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are called to live habitually in the newness of life, leaving behind the old ways and embracing the freedom and victory found in Him.

Baptism is a command of Jesus, not a suggestion. It follows repentance and faith, serving as an outward sign of an inward change. It’s not the act that saves us—salvation is by grace through faith—but baptism is the celebration, the victory parade, the confetti moment that publicly declares what Christ has already accomplished in our hearts. In many parts of the world, this act is costly, sometimes even dangerous, but it remains a bold statement: “I belong to Jesus.” It’s a separation from the old life, much like Israel leaving Egypt, and a celebration of the new creation we become in Christ.

There’s also a spiritual dimension to baptism. It’s a declaration not just to those around us, but to the spiritual realm, that we are no longer bound by sin and death. The old chains are broken, and we step into a new life of freedom. For some, re-baptism is a meaningful way to mark a new chapter, a deeper understanding, or a fresh commitment to Christ. Whether it’s the first time or a recommitment, the invitation is open: today can be your day to step into the water, to declare your faith, and to celebrate the new life Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways

1. Water baptism is a public declaration of a private transformation. It is not the means of salvation, but a bold proclamation that the old self has died and a new life in Christ has begun. This act is a visible testimony to the world and the spiritual realm that we now belong to Jesus and are committed to following Him. [07:48]
2. Obedience in baptism is a step of faith that aligns us with the command of Jesus. In a culture where faith can be taken lightly, baptism is a countercultural act of courage and surrender, demonstrating that we are unashamed of the gospel and willing to stand publicly for our beliefs, regardless of the cost. [12:58]
3. Baptism is a celebration of victory, not just a funeral for the old life. Just as a championship parade follows a hard-fought win, baptism is the joyful announcement that Christ’s victory over sin and death is now our victory, and we are free to walk in newness of life. [18:35]
4. The act of baptism is also a spiritual battle cry. It signals to the forces of darkness that another soul has been claimed for Christ, and it marks a separation from the bondage of the past. This is a moment of spiritual warfare, where the believer steps into their new identity and freedom in Christ. [16:09]
5. Re-baptism can be a meaningful step for those who seek a fresh start or a deeper understanding of their faith. Whether due to a lack of understanding in the past, a significant rededication, or a desire to mark a turning point, re-baptism is biblically supported and can serve as a powerful moment of recommitment and spiritual renewal. [24:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Water Baptism: A Public Declaration
[04:42] - Family Updates and Prayer
[07:48] - Baptism: More Than Getting Wet
[10:52] - Identification with Christ
[12:58] - Boldness and Spiritual Warfare
[16:09] - Leaving the Old Life Behind
[18:35] - Baptism as Celebration and Victory
[21:56] - Scriptural Examples of Baptism
[22:54] - The Case for Re-Baptism
[24:14] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[25:23] - Reasons for Re-Baptism
[27:52] - Invitation to Respond
[29:24] - Prayer of Repentance and Faith
[30:02] - Dedication and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV) — > Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV) — > Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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 behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Acts 19:1-6 (ESV) — > And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 6:3-4, what does baptism symbolize about our relationship with Jesus?
In Matthew 28:19-20, what command does Jesus give regarding baptism, and who is it for?
What happened in Acts 19:1-6 when the disciples in Ephesus learned more about Jesus and baptism?
The sermon described baptism as a “public declaration of a private transformation.” What does that mean in your own words? [[07:48]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul connects baptism so closely with both death and new life in Romans 6? What does it mean for someone’s daily life?
The sermon said baptism is not what saves us, but is a “victory parade” and a “confetti moment.” Why is it important to publicly celebrate what God has done in our hearts? [[18:35]]
In the sermon, it was mentioned that baptism is a “spiritual battle cry” and a declaration to the spiritual realm. What do you think this means, and how might it affect someone’s spiritual journey? [[16:09]]
Acts 19 shows people being re-baptized after gaining a deeper understanding. What does this tell us about the importance of understanding and personal conviction in baptism? [[24:14]]

Application Questions

The sermon said baptism is a step of obedience, not just a tradition. If you have been baptized, what motivated you to take that step? If you haven’t, what holds you back? [[12:58]]
Baptism is described as leaving the old life behind and embracing new life in Christ. Is there an “old way” or habit you feel God is calling you to leave behind right now? What would it look like to walk in “newness of life” this week? [[16:09]]
The pastor shared that in some places, baptism is a costly and even dangerous act. How does knowing this affect your view of baptism and your willingness to stand publicly for your faith? [[04:42]]
The sermon compared baptism to a championship parade after a victory. How can you celebrate and share the victory Jesus has given you with others in your daily life? [[18:35]]
For those who have been baptized before, the sermon talked about re-baptism as a way to mark a new chapter or deeper understanding. Have you ever felt the need for a fresh start or recommitment in your faith? What might that look like for you? [[24:14]]
Baptism is a declaration that “I belong to Jesus.” In what ways do you find it easy or hard to publicly identify as a follower of Jesus in your family, workplace, or community? [[12:58]]
The pastor led a prayer of repentance and faith at the end. Is there a step of faith, repentance, or obedience you sense God inviting you to take today? What would help you take that step? [[29:24]]

Sermon Clips

Now imagine you're standing on the shore of a river and you see someone step into the water. They go down under the surface, then they come back up and they're gasping for air, but they're smiling and they're wiping the water from the face. In that moment, something powerful has been pictured, a death, a burial, and a resurrection. That really is what water baptism is. It is a public funeral for the old you, a public celebration of the new you in Christ. [00:06:37] (29 seconds) #DeathBurialResurrection

Water baptism is this outward sign of this inward change in your life. Okay? Let me liken it to, I'll give you a few examples to here in a moment, but a graduation ceremony is to education. What do you mean? The ceremony doesn't make you a graduate. It's simply what? It declares and celebrates what has already taken place over the last four and a half years or five years. Right? That's the same way. Baptism doesn't save you, but it publicly declares that salvation, that Jesus has already worked in your life and through your heart. [00:09:45] (37 seconds) #OutwardSignInwardChange

You can say, well, I'm a Christian. I'm a believer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But when you take that step publicly in front of people to say, I'm going down on earth, that's a bold statement. Better believe that. It's a bold statement, not just on earth here, but in heaven and hell. [00:14:25] (15 seconds) #BoldPublicDeclaration

It's a separation, leaving the old life behind, like Israel passing through the Red Sea in 1 Corinthians 10, 1 and 2 talks about that. They left slavery. They left Egypt. Egypt is a picture of sin, okay? And they leave that, and they enter this new journey with God. And so there's this picture of this separation, leaving behind the old and embracing the new. [00:16:18] (25 seconds) #LeavingOldEmbracingNew

There are a lot of things out there that don't want you to be that new creation. They try to hold you back from stepping into that, but when you have a made-up mind, you will walk in that new freedom. Can I get an amen? So when you step into baptism, water baptism, really, in a sense, you're not stepping into a funeral service. You're stepping into a celebration service, even though there is the old. [00:17:23] (23 seconds) #MadeUpMindFreedom

Imagine someone walking out of prison after years behind bars. The doors swing wide open. The chains fall off, what family is waiting on the other side to embrace them, they are free and water baptism is that moment spiritually speaking. It's not just the ending where the chains fall off, it's the beginning of a whole new life of freedom in Christ if you choose to walk in that. [00:20:01] (26 seconds) #AdoptionCelebration

And so some of the reasons people choose to be re-baptized that, number one, maybe they didn't fully understand it before. I've heard people say, like, I don't know. I was with someone or whatever, or I didn't understand. I didn't know what was going on. I just went and walked down and maybe baptized as a child. There's no real faith you didn't know, or another would be they had a significant rededication in their life later on in life, and they had an encounter, and they really come to know the Lord, or maybe a time after walking away from God, and they want a fresh public commitment. That may be for some of you here today to make that decision. Or some, they want to mark a turning point in their life. Put a kind of stake in the ground, say, I'm going to obey God publicly, like Israel, crossing the Jordan into the promised land. [00:25:49] (46 seconds) #TodayIsYourDay

Some of you maybe have wandered far, and you feel away from the Lord, and you're just...you know, this can be a fresh start in your life, being obedient and responding. And some of you have never really truly surrendered your life to Christ. You know, as we said, baptism without repentance is just getting wet. But if you believe and if you repent and you receive him in this holy moment, you can be buried and raised with him in new life. Can you say amen? [00:27:46] (30 seconds) #AuthorityToConfess

It's a very simple prayer, but it's a very powerful prayer. It's a very costly prayer. It's a prayer that Christ paid the price for, for you and I, for all of humanity. But it only takes effect when you confess, repent, and believe, and receive. [00:29:33] (18 seconds)

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