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Summary of a Lesson from John Ortberg  Baptism is when Christians publicly express following and putting their trust in Christ. We receive His forgiveness, healing, and strength.
Paul compared baptism to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), which is the central narrative of Israelites’ history. After God led them out of Egypt, the Israelites encamped next to the Red Sea. Right there, they saw Pharaoh with his Egyptian armies marching after them and were terrified. But Moses told them to have no fear, stand firm, and be still, for God would fight for them. Then God told them to go into the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-14). This personal experience of God transformed their lives—from the cruel, oppressive, and genocidal slavery to freedom; from mortal danger to safety; from terrified to dancing and singing (Exodus 15); and from living like others in the ancient world to following God’s commandments. Similarly, through baptism, we would die with Christ and resurrect with Him in victory to live a new life (Romans 6:4). This experience of God’s love and forgiveness transformed us—from the slavery of pride, social status, and guilt to freedom; from living in fear and the danger of total destruction in hell to safety and joy in God; and from worldly living to following Christ’s enlightened path. With grace from God, we live our new life, and we have a new hope. We would see God fighting for us so we have no fear. We could stand firm and be still. As children of God, our life gets turned around; this process could be sudden, or it could be a long journey. Because of God’s love for us, we love others. We help those in need. We march for the marginalized. We proclaim the gospel in words and deeds. This is Baptism, the story of the cross. Summarized from a John Ortberg sermon: https://menlo.church/series/cross-examine#/modal/message/4779/mlo
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