Ownership: Breaking Free from Earthly Bonds

The Truth About Being Baptized and Born Again

Baptism and being born again are fundamental aspects of Christian faith, yet they are not spoken about as frequently as they should be. More often than not, discussions of faith overlook the deep connection between repentance, baptism, and spiritual rebirth. However, these elements are inseparable. From a different perspective, baptism signifies a transition in ownership: once baptized, a person no longer belongs to the state, the king, or any earthly authority but becomes the property of God. Just as parents hold protective rights over their children, so does God over those who are born again.

The Laws That Govern Our World

In our modern world, three legal frameworks dominate: Civil Law, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), and Maritime Law. Civil Law governs society, UCC pertains to commerce, and Maritime Law, often misunderstood, plays a crucial role in defining legal status. At birth, individuals are given a birth certificate and a Social Security number, effectively marking them as property of the corporate state. This is why national debts are often discussed in terms of each citizen’s share, as though a newborn child enters the world burdened by financial obligations.

However, baptism represents a break from this system. When one is baptized, a new certification is granted—not one that is traded in financial markets, but one that is held by God. As a child of God, no earthly authority can lay claim to a baptized person without first seeking God’s permission. This concept aligns with the divine rights and protections granted to those who enter into God’s covenant.

The Power of Water in Scripture

The significance of water in spiritual cleansing and renewal is deeply rooted in biblical history.

Genesis 1:2: The Spirit of God moves over the waters, signifying the first baptism—the purification of the earth before creation.
Genesis 6-7: The Great Flood serves as another baptism, cleansing the world of corruption and beginning anew.
Exodus 2:10: Moses, drawn from the water, is a symbol of baptism and salvation.
Exodus 14: The Israelites pass through the Red Sea, escaping bondage—a powerful metaphor for baptism’s role in liberation from sin.

Baptism and Christ’s Ministry

Baptism is central to the ministry of Jesus. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, receiving divine affirmation from God: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

The Pharisees, much like Pharaoh in the time of Moses, recognized the power of baptism in freeing people from their control. They understood that baptism symbolized a transition away from worldly authority and into divine ownership. This is why they sought to suppress Jesus’ teachings and eventually orchestrated his crucifixion.

The Economic and Political Implications

The Roman authorities, like all oppressive regimes, understood the significance of controlling people through taxation. When Jesus was questioned about paying tribute to Caesar, his response was profound: “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). He was highlighting the distinction between material wealth and spiritual truth. The Pharisees attempted to entangle Jesus in a legal argument over taxes, but Jesus refocused the discussion on higher divine principles.

Pilate, recognizing Jesus’ innocence, symbolically washed his hands, signifying his detachment from the decision to crucify Christ. This act, using water, echoed the purifying nature of baptism.

The Call to Be Born Again

Today, many people unknowingly live in a form of bondage, subject to human-made systems that dictate their lives. However, the true path to freedom lies in being baptized and reborn in Christ. Through baptism, we declare that we belong to God alone, rejecting the enslavement of sin, worldly authorities, and false gods.

We must return to the foundational truth: baptism is not just a ritual; it is a declaration of divine ownership and spiritual rebirth. It is through water and spirit that we are saved, ensuring our place as children of God, free from the constraints of earthly rulers.

Conclusion

In an era where the powers of the world seek to control and tax every aspect of life, we must remember that our true identity lies in God. Baptism is the key to breaking free from spiritual and legal bondage, reclaiming our rightful place as God’s children. Just as Jesus, Moses, and the Israelites were set apart through water, so must we be.

Now is the time to repent, be baptized, and be born again, for in doing so, we reaffirm our place in God’s kingdom, beyond the reach of earthly powers.

Dr. Coggeshell