Where Do I Start With Baptism?
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Where Do I Start With Baptism?

I don't know enough to help.

11
Where Do I Start With Baptism?
Brooke Simpson

On Wednesday nights, I am blessed with the opportunity to teach a precious third-grade girl named Mckenzie, who is one of the only youth at her congregation but is itching to know more about her Savior. This past Wednesday we were learning about the widow's offering and after discussing giving of our heart and not dwelling on our circumstances, somehow we drifted to a conversation that as a Christian I should be able to talk about with ease… baptism. However, I soon realized I was struggling to answer her questions and thankfully the bell rang before I could utterly embarrass myself, even though I knew we would more than likely be discussing this again next week. Yet, as I sat in my dorm room Tuesday night I did not know where to start. Where do you start?

Talking about baptism should be easy. We have the rulebook at our disposal and the antidote to eternal life, yet we cower in fear of the topic and let someone with “more experience” handle that. As I planned the scheduled lesson, I decided that planning a baptism study would not hurt anyone, but again where do I start? I feel that as Christians we too often jump right into the heavy stuff, without giving non-Christians any background or reason for doing what we deem they need to do; instead, we issue a warrant saying, “If you don't do this, you’re going to hell,” which does not do anything but scare the life out of the soul we want to save.

I am by no means an expert but feel that many college students and young adults feel invincible. We want to do amazing things for Christ and save as many souls as we can come in contact with, but we have no clue where to start, and as of Tuesday at 6:30, neither did I. But I was reminded of a lesson I heard in Bible class not long ago that is what I consider the kickoff of this plan to save souls.

In Ephesians 1:3, Paul sums up the first four chapters of Ephesians when he states, “…has blessed us IN CHRIST with every spiritual blessing.” "In Christ" or "In Him" is a common phrase in the first fourteen verses of chapter one, occurring nine times, but how do we become in Christ? That six-word question is the fuel that will begin the spark, and ignite the course of the rest of the study. As we know according to Ephesians 1:22, Christ is the head of the body and the body is the Church, and the church has many members as does the body. However, they both are ONE (1 Corinthians 12:13). Similarly, since we are all ONE in Him, then there is ONE baptism into ONE body which is the church. Therefore, when we are baptized into Him, we are baptized into His body, of which He is the head, thus after baptism we are in Christ.

To further divulge into this study, we have to understand that baptism into Christ we were strangers (Ephesians 2:12-13). However, notice the past tense used because after baptism we are IN HIM. Even though we are unworthy strangers, He gives us grace (Ephesians 3:8), but we must repent of our sins to receive His grace. Repentance means to stop what we are doing and turn the other way for "we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23). However, to really understand repentance we need to understand what it is not. Repentance is not being caught doing something wrong, quitting a sin, covering up your sins, or being fearful of death. Repentance is knowing in your heart that what you are doing is not pleasing God. But we also must confess our shortcomings to the Lord, as said in Romans 10:9-10, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. After this, we need to determine whether or not we are ready to be placed into the body of Christ, into the Church, and into Christ as the head.

Although this just provides an outline and a starting point to take off on your road to preparing a working Bible study, I hope this is a reference to college students and young adults who want to make a difference in a lost soul's life and maybe even truly become invincible with God by our side.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48025
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30475
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954440
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

173694
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments