Water is a symbol of cleansing and purifying. In Christian baptism, water is used to signify a cleansing from sin.  Also, in some denominations, it is a sign of the newness of life for a believer. The use of water in baptism varies widely. Some believers sprinkle the water from a baptismal fount, while others immerse the individual partially or even completely in a tank. Some believers use baptism of infants as a sign that the child is part of a special covenant (agreement) with God.  Others believe that baptism is a sign of faith and so reserve it until the individual is able to acknowledge their faith before the church. Their baptism is an outward sign of an inward change.  

While the New Testament proclaims baptism to be a sign of all believers’ unity in Christ, the meaning and practice of it has become a source for division. The apostle Paul wrote: Ephesians 4:4-6 (English Standard Version) “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  And in another place, Paul wrote:  Galatians 3:27-28 (ESV) “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Without dwelling on the differences about baptism’s meaning and practices, it is more useful to look at it’s promises. The baptism of a child or an adult is a sign and seal of God’s promises…to forgive our sins, to adopt us into the Body of Christ, the Church, and to send the Holy Spirit to renew and cleanse us and, in the future, bring that new life to completion in the eternity of Heaven.

The water in baptism is a visible sign of God promises.  

The Anchor Bible Dictionary in looking specifically at the importance of baptism says “Such cleansings can take place on the verge of a new state in life or in entering into a community or upon a new phase of life”

So as water has the ability to cleanse a person or thing, likewise water in baptism signifies a purification of an individual who is entering a new phase in their life.

In the church I attend, there was an elder who has since passed away.  Before the sacrament was administered on an adult or child this elder always scooped up a pitcher full of water and forcefully poured it into a bowl resulting in the water making loud splashing noises and spilling on to the floor. This was deliberately done to emphasize the overwhelming, cleansing grace of God given to the one being baptized.

With this reading, spend a few minutes to acknowledge that the water in each baptism is a beautiful sign of God’s promises over that life.