By Racheeta Nayak.
Some of us have been baptised without truly understanding what the Gospel (Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection Of Jesus) means to us personally.
Some have had confirmation or baptism due to the pressure of others or after board exams for a certificate to enter into college. It is important to be spiritually prepared before entering the waters of baptism.
Crucifixion: Galatians 5: 24 ( ESV) "and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." This means a complete surrender to God's Sovereignty, refusing to be a slave to things of this world but sacrificing them to gain new life in Christ whole heartedly is the first step.
Burial and Resurrection: 2 Corinthians 5:17 ( ESV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." Christ is the one who gives us a new identity in Him. When we are dead to self, our old life is gone.
For me, burial signifies ‘Nothingness’, emptiness. Burial means completely covered and that’s what we practice when we are immersed into the waters of baptism.
Among all three cores of the Gospel, Resurrection holds the most power. If Jesus had remained dead, we wouldn’t have had hope of eternal life. He fulfilled his promise through his Resurrection . Apostle Paul says in Romans 12: 2 "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
As baptised Christians, it is even more important for us to live what we teach. Let not people recognise us as Christians only on Sundays, but every day of the week.