Romans 8:14-15
[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
I recently heard of a marriage ritual that is done by the bride to be. Her mother and sister shave each stand of hair from her head, leaving her completely bald. Why? It symbolizes leaving her old life and preparing for her new one. These girls go through a physical transformation to symbolize the change in their lives that is about to take place. We, as Christians, do something similar as well.
When we get saved, something happens in the spiritual, the old man dies, so we do a physical action to express it to the world. We get baptized to symbolize that we have died with Christ. That He now lives through us. That to is Christ, to die is gain. Baptism is not our salvation, it’s a physical, public declaration of our salvation.
Baptism is similar to these girls who shave their heads. Shaving their heads isn’t the marriage, just preparation for it. Baptism isn’t our salvation, just preparation for its fulfillment when Jesus returns. For our marriage supper of the Lamb. Our faith and salvation do not come from baptism. Baptism, however, is step towards the marriage supper of the Lamb. A step to our salvation being fulfilled.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Fulfill Rituals.