Baptism and New Creation

When we open the Bible to page one in the book Genesis, the first image we find is of the Spirit of God “hovering” over the chaotic waters, and then God’s voice speaking creation into existence. All creation emerges into existence through the voice of God. 

At the start of the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, we find some similar details, especially in the story of Jesus being baptized. Jesus comes to the River Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist. While water was often seen as a symbol of death, something that drowns you, Jesus comes to willingly enter the water. Jesus comes up out of the water, and then a voice comes forth, and the Spirit of God once again hovers over the water like a dove. 

All these details lead scholars to see Matthew’s story of Jesus’ baptism to be something like a new creation story. Jesus is the new Adam, the new human, who completes and fulfills what was begun at creation. Other scriptures operate in similar ways (like John’s gospel). It is also in the New Testament where Jesus says “I make all things new” (Rev 21:5). 

These details about the baptism of Jesus are important when we think about our own baptisms. All baptism is a sharing in the baptism of Jesus. An ancient church theologian said that by taking the waters of baptism, Jesus prepared all water for the future baptisms of those to come. When we share Jesus’s baptism, we are brought into new creation. 

Right now at the beginning of the new year, many people are making new years resolutions. There are countless goals people choose, and judging by the ads I see on the internet, many of them have to do with changing body or mind in some way. And from time to time, we may need to restart something and recommit to something. But the gift of baptism is a gift that means we are already a part of God’s new creation. 

When we baptize someone in our church, the presider will usually pray this prayer to God: 

When nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised…In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of a womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection…

As we begin a new year, may we remember that part of what it means to be baptized is to share in God’s new creation. And may this strengthen us for living faithfully and joyfully in 2026.