14 Lessons Toward Passover: Making a Commitment to God Through Baptism (Part 2)

The Passover is the foundation of God’s plan of salvation for mankind. It pictures how Christ died to pay the penalty of sin.

It is through Passover that we have been given the opportunity to eternal life.

Now that we know Yahshua (popularly known as Jesus Christ) died for each of us, how should we respond?

The answer is baptism.

What is baptism?

Baptism came from the Greek word baptizo, meaning “to dip into” or “immerse.” Contrary to popular teaching, you can never find any biblical passages about babies being baptized or people being baptized through sprinkling and pouring of water.  

In fact, the New Testament tells us that baptism is usually performed in a river where a person is completely immersed.

However, we need to realize that baptism is more than just a symbol of ceremonial cleansing.

It is actually a process that involves repentance and living a life pleasing to God (Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38). Baptism is an outward sign of your inward desire to commit the rest of your life to your Creator.

The Apostle Paul has this to say about baptism:

Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism symbolizes our carnal nature being buried in the watery grave and as we come out of that grave, we now have a newness of life – a converted and spirit-led life. From that moment, it is not us who no longer live, but Christ in us (Galatians 2:20).

Baptism means that we have the faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah. It is also the faith that Christ will resurrect us from the dead when He finally returns here on earth.

A requirement of partaking the Passover

One must never underestimate the seriousness of Passover. It is so serious and life-changing that it is only reserved for spiritually mature adults who have the understanding of its meaning and implication.

It is not something that we must take lightly.

The Passover is a solemn ceremony that we partake in once every year.

We are taught:

I Corinthians 11:27: Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an UNWORTHY manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

One of the ways that we can be worthy to partake of the Passover is through baptism. This is the reason that only baptized members of the church are given the chance to participate in Passover.

Participating in Passover is renewing the commitment that we have made to God during our baptism. It is the time when we re-affirm our faith in God.

During the Passover, we are taught to examine ourselves and see whether we are growing in the grace and knowledge of God or not.

Are you delaying your commitment to God?

One of the most important decisions you EVER make in this lifetime is baptism. Once you made the decision to be baptized, it will be a point of no return.

This will be your only chance to salvation. This might be the reason that some people are afraid to make a commitment to God and be baptized.

We need to understand that surrendering our life and will to God is the SWEETEST surrender. Though the road ahead may be difficult after we are baptized, at the end of the day, we can always have the confidence that it is all worth it.

Committing your life to God is a life-changing decision. This will change the course of your life in the most positive and fulfilling way.

There are a lot of ways to spend your life on this earth. However, spending your life in COMPLETE surrender to God’s will is the best possible way to live.

When we do this, our reward will not only be during this lifetime but in the life to come.

So what are the things that are preventing you from getting baptized?

Pray and fast for God’s will to be done in your life.

Seek wise counsel and always remember that God will not ask something that we are not able to give.

So have faith. Rest in the love of God. Be baptized and I can assure you, you will find very profound meaning in your life!

10 thoughts on “14 Lessons Toward Passover: Making a Commitment to God Through Baptism (Part 2)

  1. Dear Brother,
    I have two questions on this:
    1. Is it a direct scriptural requirement for brethren to be baptized first before they can be allowed to partake of Passover?

    2. There are ministers who don’t allow people to partake in Passover except those whom they have baptized in YAHSHUA’s name. Previous baptism in JESUS’ name is not acceptable to them. What’s your take on this?

    Shalom.

    • Hi Israel,

      Thanks for your question 🙂

      1. I can’t provide a scripture that exactly says that you should be baptized before you can partake of the Passover.

      However, the seriousness of the Passover behooves us that it shouldn’t be just be given to those who don’t fully appreciate Christ’s sacrifice. And those who have been baptized are expected to be the ones who should have this type of understanding.

      2. Personally, I don’t see an issue allowing people who were baptized in Jesus’ name to partake in Passover. We all have been deceived by Satan and God works with us individually. God’s revelation comes in stages and it does not happen overnight.

      So, that’s my take. Personally, I believe there should be no issue at all.

      Regards,
      Joshua

  2. Hello Israel,
    The principle used by the Churches of God regarding your question #1, is related to YHWH’s (God’s) requirement for physical circumcision of the males prior to their partaking of the Passover lamb during the time of Moses (Exo.13:43-50). In the Apostolic Writings (New Testament), the equivalent for physical circumcision is baptism, which is related to figuratively “putting away the filth of the flesh” (1Pet. 3:21).
    I hope this explanation helps answer your question?
    ~Edmond D. Macaraeg

  3. Hi Edmond,
    I get your point & I am not really opposed to baptism before Passover, especially where there is no unnecessary delay to baptism. In some places people are delayed unnecessarily for years and during this period of delay, they are not allowed to partake of the Passover. Concerning the scripture you referred to (1 Pet 3 v 20-21), it appears Peter is referring to the water of the time of Noah, not circumcision. Also, I am not sure the apostles were baptized before Yahshua gave them the Passover bread & wine prior to His arrest & death.

    The bigger concern I have is what I stated in my 2nd question above, which Joshua had addressed satisfactorily.
    Shalom.

  4. Good thing Jesus does not have the same doctrine as you have lest the thief on the cross will never see the paradise. Your church never allow unbaptized people to partake in the feast or breaking of bread but Jesus allowed the thief in cross to be with him in the paradise without being baptized.
    If water baptism is really required why there is no mention that the apostles were baptized by water. Is John the Baptist were water baptized? By whom? Yes the apostle Paul was baptized but there is no record that it was a water baptism because Damascus is almost or really a desert place and far away from the bodies of water.
    This is really a doctrine of the hypocrite pharisees that was passed on to the early church leaders and to the modern church leaders.
    The baptism and breaking of bread are all symbols. These symbolizes how a true disciples of Christ should live their lives. Even if you do this everytime but you never lived the way it symbolizes it doesn’t mean anything.

      • John the baptist clearly states that the baptism he is doing is only a baptism of repentance. Repentance is required for salvation but the water baptism is not. It only symbolizes your repentance but if you did not truly repented, your water baptism is non sense. But if you truly repented even without the water baptism you will be save.
        With regards to thief on the cross, yes there is no one ascended to heaven right now but when Christ returns, he is one of those to be resurrected and will be with Jesus in his kingdom, therefore he is saved. Another thing, where in the bible written that he will be taught and will given a chance to be part of God’s kingdom where in fact, the moment before he died Jesus already gave him assurance that he will be with Jesus in paradise, and based on your explanation, paradise is part of the kingdom of God. And yes Jesus never lie, that’s why when Jesus said today, where ever you put the comma, it means today. Because the when Jesus died, until our present day, and up to His second coming and the resurrection of the dead, it is today with Jesus Christ.

      • I can’t help but shake my head because of the absurdity of your understanding. Bhelaim, I have given you all the explanation that you need from our past conversations but I know you’re not here to learn the truth. You’re just here to argue. I’m NOT here to convert anyone. I’m just here to share the truth from the Bible. It is up to you to accept it or you would still want to believe the father of lies.

        But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh and we will do whatever He reveals in His word.

        No amount of explanation to change your mind. It is like talking to a chicken. So, let me know once you’re ready to learn the truth and unlearn the false teachings you were taught.

        I’m sure we have one thing in common. We both believe what we believe. So, if you strongly believe you’re right, then there’s no use of discussing anything since no amount of explanation can change your mind.

        Regards,
        Joshua

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