Mark 16:15-18, “And He said to them, “Go into all
the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will
be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow
those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
Baptism signifies that you have died with Christ and are risen
with Him; you are dead to sin. Baptism is a statement before people that you have
repented.
We read in the Bible that people were baptised immediately upon
repentance, but today we first wait that a person show forth fruit of repentance. We are
living in an evil generation, where a person's word counts for nothing. Many people go
through a crises, or a near death experience and make a vow to God. However, when they get
better and the crises is lifted they return to their old ways and do not keep their
promise.
Note that baptism does not save you. Our text says that he who
does not believe will be condemned (not he who is not baptised). The thief on the cross
was not baptised, but believed in the Lord Jesus and was saved. However, if you are
baptised and do not live a life of repentance your hell will be double. Baptism is a holy
sacrament, and woe to you if you treat it lightly and enter it defiled.
We also read in our text of the signs that will follow those that
believe. In reading these words we must divide the Word of God rightly. This Word does not
mean that we can tempt God by looking for poison to drink or snakes to bite us. But if it
should happen accidently, it will not hurt us, as was the case with Paul in Acts 28. Paul
also wrote to Timothy not to be quick in laying hands on anybody and not to share in other
people's sins (1Tim 5:22). Rather let the sick person come to Christ, confess and repent
of their sins and then the laying on of hands will bear good fruit.
A believer in Jesus Christ also speaks with a new heavenly tongue.
Perverseness doesn't come out of his mouth anymore.
Test yourself today whether you live a life in agreement with your
baptism; a life of victory over sin.
