Posted on : 18 Mar, 2006
Subject : Baptism: Making the Covenant
Baptism: Making the Covenant
The Scriptures often mention the word ‘covenant’. We seldom use the word ‘covenant’ in everyday conversation; so many people don’t understand what it means.
A covenant is an agreement. It’s a contract. A covenant is a promise made between two people. A spiritual covenant is an agreement between an individual and God.
For a moment think of a covenant as being the equivalent of a contract. Most adults have made at least one contract, and many adults have made several contracts. A spiritual covenant has the same components as a contract.
The most common example of a contract is when a person borrows money – such as when they finance a house or a car. Another type of contract is a lease agreement on an apartment. There are rental agreements, such as for appliances for furniture. And many people are familiar with contracts for mobile phone service. In North America, most adults have made multiple contracts.
What a Contract Is
‘Covenant’ means ‘to meet together’, and ‘contract’ literally means to ‘draw together’. In a covenant or contract, there are two parties – each of whom agrees to do something.
A bank, for example, agrees to loan money so that a person can purchase a car. The individual agrees to pay the loan plus interest. There are terms to the agreement. The payments must be made on by before a certain date every month, in a specified amount, in an agreed-upon currency, and for as many months as are stipulated in the loan agreement [covenant]. There are also stipulations as to what happens if the contract is broken. I this example, the car would be forfeited by the individual, and repossessed by the lending institution.
We can easily understand what a spiritual covenant once we recognize that it is the same sort of arrangement as a financial contract. There is an agreement, with specific promises that are dependent upon the covenant being kept. There are rules and restrictions. There are penalties if the contract is broken. If the agreement is irrevocably broken, there is cursing instead of blessing. And there is some type of ratification of the covenant – a small act that makes the agreement binding.
What Baptism Is
Baptism in water is the validation of the covenant a person makes with Elohim.
When a person makes a contract, there is a final step that must be taken before the agreement becomes legally binding. There is an action that must be done in order to confirm the contract. In the case of a loan or a lease, the final step is signing the paper. Writing one’s signature on a contract means that the signer has solemnly agreed, and at that moment binds himself or herself into a legal pact with the other party. The signatures of each party signify that the agreement has been made. [The word ‘signify’ comes from the word ‘sign’ – as in putting one’s signature on a contract.]
The act of baptism amounts to being completely immersed in water. The Greek words bapto and baptidzo mean to dye [as in dying a cloth], and to immerse [as in submerge]. The proper manner of baptizing someone is to immerse them in water – to very briefly submerge them.
Baptism has been compared with a temporary burial. [Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12] The persons goes down into the water and is covered over by it, as the Messiah was surrounded by the earth when He was in the tomb.
Proper baptism is not accomplished by sprinkling or pouring. In order to completely change the color of a piece of fabric, it must be submerged in the dye. Sprinkling with a few drops won’t make a total change, nor will pouring a little stream over it. The entire garment must be plunged into the solution and soaked, so the transformation can be complete.
Signing a Contract
In a sense, being required to write your signature on a contract is a rather odd thing. After all, a signature is really only a group of squiggly lines drawn onto the paper. It doesn’t even need to be legible [thankfully].
It’s an unusual practice, isn’t it?
And yet, it is a requirement in order to initiate a contract. If you want to buy a car or pickup or house you have to sign the agreement. Until you write your name on the paper, the contract is not valid. It does not take effect until you sign it. The deal is not official without the signatures of the parties involved. Everything else can be in order, and ready to go, but the agreement is not in effect until you sign the papers. You must take that unique action in order to confirm the contract.
The very same sort of thing is true when a person makes a covenant – a spiritual contract – with God. There must be a validation of the covenant – an action to indicate that the person agrees to be bound to the terms of the agreement. And the action that makes one’s covenant with Elohim official is being properly baptized in water.
Like Signing an Agreement
Baptism in water can be compared with signing an agreement. One of the necessary steps in making a covenant with Elohim is baptism in water.
There are some preachers and people who believe and teach that baptism in water is unnecessary. To them it seems a silly thing to do. And because it seems an odd thing to ask, and possibly even nonsensical, they decide that it’s unnecessary.
Very simply, however, if a person intends to make a covenant with God – to enter into a spiritual contract with Elohim – then baptism in water is essential. Naturally, if an individual is not making a covenant with God, then baptism is pointless.
Think again about making a contract with a lending institution. What if a person wants a new car? She has selected the model and the color. The test drive was terrific. The stereo is awesome. And she is certain she wants it.
Unless she steals the car, she is going to have to sign a contract. She will have to sign a purchase agreement, a lease agreement or loan agreement, and the title of the car. Simply put, if she will not sign for it – do that one action that may seem a little odd – she will not ever own the car. It will not be completely legally hers if she does not sign an agreement – a contract – a covenant.
The same is true for someone who intends to make a covenant with God. The person must have faith in God. The person must repent of his sins – and yield himself to God. The individual must agree to the terms and stipulations of the agreement [in this case, they are commandments]. And the person must validate the covenant by proper baptism in water. And then the covenant is in force. Then [and only then] can the individual qualify to inherit a place in the Kingdom of God.
The Importance of Baptism
Yahshua [Jesus] said: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” [Mark 16:16; Ether 4:18 (1:115)] “And whoso believeth in Me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the Kingdom of God.” [3rd Nephi 11:33 (5:34); Moroni 7:34 (7:36)]
“And He commands all men that they must repent, and be baptized in His name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God.” [2nd Nephi 9:23 (6:48)]
“What have you against being baptized in the name of the LORD, as a witness before Him that ye have entered into a covenant with Him, that ye will serve him and keep His commandments, that He may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” [Mosiah 18:10 (9:41); Acts 2:38]
Those who put their trust and faith in the Savior, and repent of their sins and yield their will, and are baptized in water as an outward witness that they have made a covenant with God, will inherit a place within the Heavenly Kingdom.
There is no sneaking into the Kingdom. The Savior said: “anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.” [John 10:1] All the steps are required, including baptism in water, else a person cannot inherit a place in the Kingdom of God.
How to Be Baptized
Baptism in water is a ceremony – a sacred ritual. The Scriptures explain how the rite should be performed.
Scriptural examples of baptism are always performed outdoors, in open water.
Baptism is performed by a minister – by one who is an authorized servant of God. The minister was called and commissioned by God, and is an ambassador of Elohim, having spiritual authority given to him by Jesus Christ [Yahshua].
The person being baptized and the minister who performs the baptism both go down into the water. They go into the water together, usually until it is about waist deep.
Before they go into the water, the minister has explained the Covenant that is about to be made. The person being baptized has begun to make changes in her life, showing her willingness to yield to the commandments of Yahweh [the Heavenly Father].
The individual being baptized has decided on his own – because the Covenant is between him and God. There are no third parties – one is not baptized to please one’s parents, or girlfriend, or a minister. A person is not baptized for someone else, nor does one decide for someone else. One enters the Covenant deliberately, with personal intent to obey it, because of the desires of one’s own heart. If a person doesn’t understand the Covenant, then baptism is of no effect. [Similarly, if a minor child were to sign a contract at the bank, the contract is void.]
The minister gently talks with or prays with the person for a moment before the immersion takes place. Then he calls the individual by name, and in the power and authority of the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Messiah, the person is immersed. The individual sinks down into the water, with the minister holding on, until they are completely submerged in the water, briefly, then brought back upright once again. In that moment, the Covenant has been consummated. The ‘contract’ has been ‘signed’ by you, as it were. And the Holy Spirit will witness to you, in some way, that the Covenant has been ‘signed’ by Elohim, also.
Yielding to Elohim
For many people, baptism in water seems foolish, silly, or a waste of time. After all, it’s only getting wet, isn’t it?
In that way it is like signing a contract – it may seem foolish that a squiggle of line is required by law in order to consummate a contact. Nevertheless, that is precisely what it required.
When a person is baptized in water it signifies that he or she is willing to yield his or her will to God. Willing to comply with the terms of the Covenant.
Is it time for you to come to Elohim, willing to change your life to conform with the Commandments of the Covenant? Is it time for you to make that Covenant with God? Is it time for you to enter into the solemn spiritual agreement that will result in you having a place of inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven? Is it time for you to go down into the waters of baptism?
David Bruce Clark
Lion of God Ministries
PO Box 33 Oak Grove MO 64075
www.lionofgod.com
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