There is forgiveness of sin (Acts 22:16). There is a reenactment of the gospel (Romans 6). It’s a great moment to look back on as our unity with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 3:12).
There’s something else that excites me about baptism.
It’s about new life.
Revelation 21 gives me chills.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
That last part especially: “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Jesus is starting something, and I get to be part of it.
Jesus is doing something new, and I’m it.
The King has come, and I get to help bring about his goals in the new world that is already but not yet.
I get to experience the new world now.
That’s what excites me about baptism. Forgiveness of sins – praise God! Confessing Christ and identifying with him – absolutely.
But, how often, do we forget that this isn’t a graduation, it’s a commencement. It’s not an end, it’s a beginning. The beginning of the new creation in me. Now, that’s exciting.
So, when I look back to my baptism, I think of a new verse. It’s not Acts 2:38, even though that’s a good one. It’s not Acts 22:16, even though that’s important.
It’s Revelation 21:5 – “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Baptize for what? Baptize to be a part of the new creation, the most exciting thing that’s going on in the world forever.
