This study was first taught on March 5, 2017

Topic: The Doctrine of Baptisms_3: Our Identification Mark

(use the audio to study)

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Background
The last time we met to discuss “The Doctrine of Baptisms”, we began to look at the crux (the core, essence, significance, purpose, and, application) of baptisms, as it relates to a Christian. The first of the crux of the doctrine of baptisms we looked at, is that, baptisms can be likened to the rites of passage of a Christian. We spoke of these rites of passage as a permanent transition, an irreversible conversion, and a transformation in the mold of the metamorphosis of a butterfly—metamorphosing from an egg; to an active but destructive caterpillar; to a cocooned, docile pupa; before finally emerging as a butterfly!

Through baptisms, the Christian transitions from a former life, which was sinful, sin-loving, selfish, and lived for the world; to a new life, which is righteous, holy, sin-abhorrent, selfless, and lived for Christ. Put another way, baptisms speak of the irreversible conversion of an erstwhile sin-laden, self-centred, evil, and worldly nature; to a nature that is sin-abhorrent, others-centered, righteous, and Christ-like. The Christian, through baptisms—its transitions, conversion, and transformation—grows to spiritual maturity, as he/she comes to the vivid realization that he/she is no longer a part of a former life and lifestyle; but part of a new life and lifestyle. Thus, through baptisms, the Christian is brought into the body of Christ, where he/she is separated from the world and out of Satan’s control, and then empowered to witness and live for Christ, and, enabled to overcome the challenges of life no matter how overwhelming they may seem to be. The Christian realizes that he/she is no longer a part of the world, but now a part of the body of Christ; that he/she is no longer a subject of Satan and his kingdom, but one who lives under the authority of God, and a citizen of heaven; that he/she no longer lives for himself/herself, but for God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; that he/she is no longer to be subject to fear and its torment, but rather to recognize his/her power and authority in Christ.

Through baptisms, we are made to realize that we can no longer live as we did before we met with Christ and were saved from the wrath of God upon sinners. Baptisms reinforce the truth about the new life which the believer must continue to live—a life that is intricately bound to other believers; a life of unity with other believers; a life of love toward all men; a life of humility before God and man; a life of the display of God’s power in and through him/her; and, a life of absolute dependence on God for everything including, breathing, eating, working, raising a family, etc. Indeed, baptisms are more than a ceremony; they are a mark of the transformation that has taken place in the life of a believer in Christ.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:5; Hebrews 6:1-2a; Romans 6:3-6
We shall now move on to the next crux of the subject of “The Doctrine of Baptisms”. We pray that the Holy Spirit, as usual, will teach us Himself, and make the truth in the word of God, a reality in our lives.
All over the world, people are identified by many physical marks, such as facial marks, speech/tongue, skin complexion, physical height, body build, and so on. Also, nations of the world identify their citizens through national identification cards, international passports, or similar documents. In a similar manner, baptisms are a mark of identification of those who are believers in Christ.
Colossians 2:11-12; Genesis 17:10-14; Deuteronomy 30:6; Galatians 6:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Galatians 3:27-29; 6:17; 2 Corinthians 11:23-25; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Ezekiel 9:1-6; Revelation 7:1-4; 9:1-4; 13:11-17; 20:4-6; Acts 19:11-17; Mark 16:15-18.

Conclusion
Through baptisms, we identify with, and become a part of the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and as such, we can be said to bear the identification mark of Christ, which can be both spiritual and physical (as in scars of wounds resulting from beatings/persecution for Christ’s sake). Unlike circumcision, which was physical, and the mark of the Old Covenant, baptisms are spiritual and the mark of the New Covenant. Indeed, through baptisms, we are united with Christ, and thus, identify ourselves as belonging to Him; not just as partners, or merely as partakers with Him, but as being part of Him! Thus, through baptisms, we are brought into union with Christ, Who thus becomes every Christian’s identity, manifesting in the believer's lifestyle of Christ-likeness!

Not only do we identify ourselves with, and in, Christ through baptisms; but Him being our identify, we are marked, sealed, or identified by God to be His very own special people (1 Peter 2:9), and are thus, preserved from the evil that is to befall the world and its inhabitants on the Day of Judgment. Incidentally, Satan also marks his own with a physical mark, and these can similarly be identified by their lifestyle, which is generally sin-laden, worldly, and tolerant of sin. Sadly, all those who bear the mark of Satan will perish in eternity, though they may have pleasures, albeit, temporarily, here on earth. The good news though, is that if anyone who is in Satan’s camp turns to God in genuine repentance, he/she is forgiven of his/her sins and marked as belonging to, and united with, Christ!

Furthermore, Satan recognizes the mark or seal of God upon God’s own people, and marks them out for special attacks, which will fail through Christ our Identity—what Satan is attacking is Christ in you, Who is your hope of glory (Colossians 1:27; John 15:19; 1 Peter 4:12-16)!

Therefore, through baptisms, God identifies us, as does Satan, as belonging to, and being united together with Christ. It is this identification that marks us out for divine protection and preservation, as well as, for the onslaughts of Satan’s persecution. It is expected that, regardless of the onslaught of Satan, all those who have Christ as their identity, will live as Christ lived!

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