Baptism

Baptism

Romans 6: 1-13

                Baptism is an essential step that we all must take while on this earth. It is a sign of our devotion and commitment to the Lord, His gospel, and His eternal plan. We show our commitment before we are actually baptized by leaving behind all our sins. We cannot continue in our sin and really be committed to following the example of the Lord. Baptism symbolism of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The baptism, the complete burial under water, represents the death of Christ and His burial. Coming forth, out of the water, represents His resurrection and new life. It is important to understand that baptism by immersion is essential; it is representative and symbolic of Christ. Understanding this concept makes it easier to recognize that in order for a baptism to be valid, it must be done under the correct authority and in the correct manner. A sprinkling or even a toe sticking out of the water is not a complete immersion and is not baptism after the manner of Christ.

                While the act of baptism is important, it is equally important to maintain our bodies free from sin even after this ordinance. These scriptures teach us to yield our spirits unto the Lord, unto the good. In verse 13 it says that our “members as instruments o righteousness unto God” which really implies that we should immerse ourselves in good works. When we think and do good, we become more like Christ. Mosiah 3:19 talk about how we are supposed to put off the natural man. In order to do this we are to lay aside the things of the world, and to accept the things of Christ.

                Romans 6: 14-23 really helps the reader to understand the concept of choosing whom we are going to serve. We essentially are choosing our master by the decisions that we make in life. We can know who we are choosing  by really listening to our heart and choosing that which is from God. The Holy Ghost is our guide and our constant companion, if we allow him to be. He will touch us in ways that will make it clear to us if we are choosing the path of God, or some other path. We have the ability to feel the difference between holiness and the chains of sin. This difference is a guiding factor for us to stay on the path of righteousness that will eventually lead us to eternal life. We are free when we keep the commandments, and locked in sin when we don’t.

The source of true freedom is found through the redeeming power of the atonement of Jesus Christ.