Baptism

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Baptism of Jesus

There once was a man named John the Baptist, who actually was one of the cousins of Jesus. He became a preacher and was telling others to ask God for forgiveness for things they had done wrong. He wanted to help others change their lives so they could become like a brand new person inside.

John was a man who wanted to live a very simple life. He felt that having a lot of things wasn't important, instead he traveled the desert and told others about what good things God was doing in his life, and how God could do good things in their life too.

So John didn't go to a big house every night to eat a big supper and go to sleep in a nice comfortable bed. John didn't have a home, he probably slept outside sometimes or he might have been invited to stay with friends he made along the way.

For food he ate locusts and he would find some wild honey to eat with them. Remember John wanted to live a simple life, he felt like God was all he needed. Nothing else was more important.

When people heard that John was in the area they would come from all over to listen to him and get baptized. Some men named the Pharisees and Sadducees came to listen to John he had a strict warning for them. They needed to feel bad for the wrong things they had done and ask forgiveness for their mistakes. But these men didn't think they were doing anything wrong, they weren't sorry, so John would not baptize them.

As people were coming to John to be baptized, they were wondering if he was the Savior they had waited for. John heard what they were saying and he told them, "I am baptizing you now with water, but soon will come a man greater than me, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. He is so great that I’m not worthy to un-strap His sandals."

John continued to preach and baptize people until one day Jesus came by to be baptized. John didn't know what to say, all he knew was that how could he, just a regular person baptize Jesus the Savior of the world.

John said to Jesus, "You should be baptizing me, I cannot baptize you Lord." Jesus replied, "It's important that I do this now, I am ready and I want to be an example to others and show them that it's important."

So John took Jesus and baptized Him. And just as soon as Jesus was baptized the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit came like a beautiful white dove and landed right on Jesus shoulder. Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, whom I am well pleased."

What is Baptism?

We in the Syriac Orthodox faith believe in infant Baptism. When we get baptized we become sanctified spiritually, consecrated by the Holy Spirit and through the blood of Jesus Christ. That means we are made Holy, purified and set free from original sin and we become worthy to partake in the renewing of the spirit.

Just like when Jesus died, was buried and rose again, baptism is similar. Our old spiritual self is dead and we become spiritually new again. Our old selves are buried and we are a brand new person to God. Romans 6:3-4.

Baptism is important because Jesus made sure this was the first thing He did when He started His ministry. It is also the last thing He said before going up to heaven, He said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." Matthew 28:19-20.

Syriac Orthodox Sunday School of North America

ܡܕܪܫܬܐ ܕܚܕܒܫܒܐ ܕܣܘܪ̈ܝܝܐ ܬܪ̈ܝܨܝ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܒܐܡܪܝܟܐ ܘܟܢܕܐ