“For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I was maybe ten or eleven when I was baptized. At least I think so. I don’t really remember how old I was for anything in my childhood, but ten or eleven would’ve been typical for my church. Basically, the main requirements were a desire to be baptized and an understanding of what it meant.

I did want to be baptized. And I sort of understood what it meant. Although, I guess it’s still a bit of a mystery.

Today’s verse is referring to baptism as being united with Jesus in the “likeness” of His death and resurrection.

In the Bible, baptism is not something that is a requirement for being saved by Jesus. In fact, baptism was happening before Jesus died or was resurrected. Before Jesus, it was a symbol of change, a new start, a decisive alteration in lifestyle or habits or beliefs.

Jesus’s followers used it similarly — as a symbol of dying to one’s old self and being reborn as a new person, one made new by Jesus’s sacrifice.

It’s all very symbolic and mysterious and maybe perplexing. Like most rituals. And like most rituals it can be tempting to treat it as more important than what it is meant to represent.

Baptism is just an outward, public expression of an inward decision. That’s all. I didn’t see any doves descending from heaven when I came up from the baptismal waters. I didn’t hear any voices or see tongues of flame over my head.

But I did feel a sense of satisfaction. I felt like God was pleased with my public declaration to follow Him.

It’s like walking across the stage at graduation to get my diploma. I actually already had my diploma. But when I went through the ritual of wearing the cap and gown, hearing my name called out, and walking across a stage for a handshake and a signed piece of cardboard, I felt satisfied. I had closure. I knew I was done with school and could look forward to what was next.

When I was baptized, I had already been saved. But now I also had closure. I knew I was done with the finality of the ravages of sin. I am so looking forward to what comes next.

Dear God,

Thank you for saving me from my sin and the death I deserve. I am so grateful. Thank you also for the symbol of baptism to remind me of this gift, this turning point in my life. I’m sorry that I still sin. Thank you for your salvation saving me then, now, and in the future. Your salvation has happened, just like my baptism. Once and for all time, I am saved.