Baptismal exhortation

Baptismal exhortation January 27, 2013

Colossians 1:13: He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven: “This is My beloved Son.” Paul refers to that event here when he describes salvation as a transfer from the authority of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved Son, that is, the baptized Son.

Baptism marks and effects that transition. By baptism, the Father declares that He loves you too, since you are joined to the Son of His love. If you are ever tempted to doubt the Father’s love, remember this day, when the Father opened heaven and said “You are mine” in water.

Baptism is your adoption into a new family, a change of citizenship. As a citizen of His kingdom, you are a holy one, a saint who belongs to God because He dwells in you. As a member of the family, you have an inheritance. Your future is bright because you are in the kingdom of light.

Jesus’ baptism launched His mission as Son. As Pastor Sumpter has said, this is true of us too: When God brings us out of darkness to light, He gives us a task. You are in the kingdom of light, and you are a light in that kingdom.

Spread the light by walking in a manner worthy of God, by bearing fruit in good works, by giving thanks in all things. Let your light shine, so that others may be brought to the kingdom of the beloved Son, the kingdom of the baptized.


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