Baptism : Born From Above | திருமுழுக்கு : மறுபடியும் பிறத்தல் | Rev Amos Lazarus | CSI Tamil Chruch

Baptism – Born from Above
Texts: Genesis 8:1–14; Colossians 3:1–11; John 3:1–8
Introduction: What is Baptism in Christianity?
Dearly beloved in Christ, baptism is one of the most precious gifts God has given the church – yet, sadly, it is also one of the most debated.
• Some Christians, like the Anabaptists, insisted that only those who consciously confess Christ (believer’s baptism) should be baptized.
• Others uphold infant baptism as a sign of God’s covenant grace, similar to circumcision (cf. Colossians 2:11–12).
• Even the mode has been disputed: some practice immersion (Acts 8:38–39), others sprinkling (Ezekiel 36:25).
• Sadly, divisions over baptism led to persecution – many martyrs shed blood not for denying Christ, but for their understanding of baptism.
But what is baptism really? It is not merely a ritual but an experience of salvation (1 Peter 3:20–21). Baptism is the outward sign of an inward grace, where the believer proclaims to the world: “I belong to Christ.”

1. Baptism: Covenant of Salvation and New Beginning (Genesis 8:1–14)
The flood narrative shows how God wiped away corruption but also opened a new future. Baptism echoes this truth.
• A. God as Restorer – “God remembered Noah” (Gen 8:1). Baptism declares that God remembers us in our brokenness. Like the floodwaters washed away wickedness, baptism symbolizes how God washes our sins (Acts 22:16 – “be baptized and wash your sins away”).
• B. Covenant of Grace – After the flood, God established a covenant not only with Noah but with all creation (Gen 9:8–10). Similarly, in baptism we are sealed into God’s covenant of grace, marked by His promises (Gal 3:27 – “all who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”).
• C. New Beginning, Not Just Escape – The flood was not the end, but the start of restoration. Baptism is the doorway to new life (2 Cor 5:17 – “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”).
Takeaway: Baptism is not just water, but a divine covenant reminding us daily: we have grace to be restored and to live as God’s new creation.
2. Baptism: Allegiance to Christ and New Identity (Colossians 3:1–11)
The Christians in Colossae faced pressures from Rome, paganism, and even false teachings. Paul reminds them that baptism is not only about death to sin, but rising with Christ into a new identity.
• A. Christ as Our True Lord – “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated” (v.1). In baptism, we declare Christ as Lord above Caesar, above culture, above all else. It is a public oath of allegiance (Rom 10:9).
• B. Death of the Old Self – Paul lists the old life: sexual immorality, greed, anger, malice (vv.5–9). Baptism is burial of this old identity (Rom 6:4 – “buried with Him through baptism into death”).
• C. Clothing of the New Self – “Clothe yourselves with the new self” (v.10). Baptism is putting on Christ (Gal 3:27). Our new identity transcends ethnicity, status, or gender (Col 3:11; Gal 3:28).
Illustration: Sadhu Sundar Singh’s father told him, “You will lose wealth, property, and status if you follow Christ.” He chose baptism, and with it, a new loyalty, a new family, a new destiny.
Takeaway: Baptism means loyalty to Christ’s kingdom and living a counter-cultural life in the midst of worldly pressures.
3. Baptism: Spirit-Birth and New Witness (John 3:1–8)
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, struggling to understand. Jesus revealed the heart of baptism: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (v.5).
• A. Breaking Religious Pride – Nicodemus trusted in heritage and status. But Jesus says salvation comes not by birthright, but by rebirth. Baptism dethrones the ego and enthrones Christ (Phil 3:7–8).
• B. Birth of the Spirit – Baptism is not just water, but Spirit-work. The Spirit gives new heart and life (Ezek 36:26–27). It makes us cry “Abba, Father” (Rom 8:15).
• C. Pilgrimage of Witness – “The wind blows where it wills” (v.8). Spirit-born believers live in freedom and mission. Baptism launches us on this journey – not a static ritual, but a dynamic pilgrimage. Like the apostles, we are baptized to witness Christ (Acts 1:8).
Takeaway: Baptism is the Spirit-birth that makes us authentic witnesses of Christ – not just church members, but pilgrims of joy and power.
Conclusion
Beloved, baptism is not an empty ritual but a living covenant.
1. It is a Covenant of Salvation – God restoring creation and giving us new beginnings.
2. It is an Allegiance to Christ – a new identity that resists the world and proclaims Jesus as Lord.
3. It is a Spirit-Birth – a transformation that empowers us to witness Christ with joy.
Whenever we remember our baptism, let us renew this calling:
• to live as new creation,
• to remain loyal to Christ,
• to walk as Spirit-filled witnesses of the Kingdom.
Amen.