BAPTISM - WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

According to Jesus, all those who become his   disciples must be baptized. (Matthew 28:19, 20)  Why is this necessary after you have made a dedication to God?  Since  you have dedicated  yourself to Jehovah, he knows that you love him.  But no doubt you will want to take further action in order to let others know about your love for God.  Well, baptism affords you the opportunity to make your dedication to Jehovah God known publicly. -Romans 10:9, 10.

Baptism is rich in symbolic meaning.  As you are submerged, or "buried,"
 beneath the water, it is as though you have died  to your former course of life.  When you come up out of the water, it is as if you are emerging to a new life, one that is governed by God's will and not your own.  Of course, that does not mean that you will make no more mistakes, for all of us are imperfect and therefore sin daily.  However, as a dedicated, baptized servant of Jehovah, you will have entered into a special relationship with him.  Because of your repentance and your humble submission to baptism, Jehovah is willing to forgive your sins on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice. Baptism thus leads to a clean conscience before God. -1 Peter 3:21.

Jesus commanded his followers to baptize new disciples "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit."  (Matthew 28:19)  What did Jesus mean? Baptism "in the name of the Father" indicates that the person being baptized  and wholeheartedly accepts Jehovah God as the Creator and the rightful Sovereign of the universe. (Psalm 36:9; 83:18; Ecclesiastes 12:1) Being baptized 'in the name of the Son' means that the individual  acknowledges Jesus Christ-and particularly His ransom sacrifice-as the only means of salvation provided by God.  (Acts 4:12) Baptism 'in the name of the holy spirit' signifies that the baptismal candidate recognizes Jehovah's holy spirit  or active force as God's  instrument for carrying out His purposes and for empowering His servants to do his righteous  will in association with His spirit-directed organization. -Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30; John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:21.

Next time: ARE YOU READY FOR BAPTISM?

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995