If you are baptized, what does that mean to you?  If you are not baptized and are coming alive in your knowledge of Christ, have you considered this step of faith?  We baptize infants, but get this:  Baptism is not a baby thing; its deep significance is for adult believers.

It goes back to John the Baptist.  Drawing large crowds at the Jordan, he proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” and washed them in the river.  He announced, “One who is more powerful” is coming – the Messiah.  “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:4-8).

Jesus came from Nazareth to be baptized by John.  Something remarkable happened:  “Coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like dove on him.”  A voice spoke from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved” (Mark 1:9-11).  Three years later, Jesus commissioned us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). 

Each year in our church we conduct a baptism renewal service.  Individuals come forward to renew the promises that were made in their baptism.  We do this on the first Sunday of Lent or, like this year, Epiphany, the Sunday nearest to January 6. 

Here’s an example of how it works.  Whenever he faced hard personal challenges, the reformer Martin Luther would remind himself, “I am baptized!” and feel empowered.  He advised us to do the same:  “When our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say:  I am baptized!  And if I am baptized, it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”

Renewing your baptism, God works by his Holy Spirit to renew your spirit.