The Meaning and the Importance of Baptism
Due to sin in heaven, mankind has been cast to the earth. The burden of this sin is carried in our soul and can be compared to cancer in the body. If it is not quickly treated and removed, it will spread and become terminal. God’s immediate prescription for the cancer-like sin is baptism. It contains the promise of removing past sins, allowing individuals to start a new life with the hope of heaven.
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
Considering the importance of the procedure and the blessing it contains, baptism should be done in the place God commands and according to the example that Christ taught. In the early church, though members had been previously baptized for repentance, once they heard of the Savior, they were rebaptized for salvation.
“‘John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.’ As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Examining the practice of the early church, individuals who had been baptized by John the Baptist were rebaptized after Jesus came as the Savior. Likewise, those living in the age of the Holy Spirit should undergo rebaptism when the Savior appears again.
“... baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
If there were not three names to be baptized with, Jesus would not have said so. However, these words are now being fulfilled in the last days in accordance with the Savior’s appearance as the Holy Spirit with a new name.
“I am coming soon. … And I will also write on them my new name ... listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
As Christ had already appeared and ascended by the time these words were spoken, “I” here refers to the Second Coming Christ who will appear with a new name. Though Christians commonly use the name Jesus, it is not the new name. The World Mission Society Church of God baptizes in the three names of the Savior according to Christ’s commission. Come visit us and learn more about the new name and the baptism that promises salvation.
