The Livery: Water Baptism

The Livery is the single-most radical change that can be made to a car without the use of exchanging parts. Like the switch of a mood, the change of a Livery has the power to completely redefine the character and purpose of a vehicle. From solids and candys, to textures and vinyls, it's amazing how paint and film can make a new creation with predetermined parts. In this spirit, the celebration of Water Baptisms exist, providing the start of a public walk with Jesus and the rebirthing of his children’s spirits.

Baptism is a ceremony signifying the start of your ‘official’ walk in Christ. Designed as a public expression of your faith, Baptism is a staple in the Christian lifestyle. The Bible explains Baptism this way: "now [saving] you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21 ESV. Baptism is all about making a covenant with God in front of witnesses to let down your old self and follow him. By being baptized, not only do you publicly declare your faith, but you receive God’s gift of eternal life. Baptism pleases the Lord, and is one of the great milestones/celebrations that Christians get to look forward to.

So what happens in a Baptism? Let’s walk through it:

The Prayer:

A Baptism starts by entering a predetermined body of water, be it a showering, bathtub, or river. Before being baptized with the water, the person baptizing you will try you, asking questions such as: "do you believe in the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and that Jesus is your personal savior?” Do not worry, though, for these questions are asked in the same spirit as the vowing phase of a wedding, where one asks, “do you take him/her as your lawfully wedded spouse?" This trial is simply for you to profess your faith, and to reaffirm your knowledge of what you are indeed getting into. After this, there may be a prayer over your life, at which point, things will begin to set in motion.

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38 ESV

The Lowering:

The Lowering portion, is as advertised, a lowering into the water, this, the most recognizable portion of the ceremony, this is the main attraction. During The Lowering, the one baptizing you will take your hand and dip you down beneath the water, where you will lie momentarily. This portion is incredibly important, drawing parallels as you reenact a similar death of your old self in the likeness of Jesus’. As you enter the water, you will be held there for a moment, signifying the cleansing of your spirit and mirroring Jesus’ time in the tomb before his resurrection, before moving onto the next stage.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4 ESV

The Raise:

The Raise is the ceremony’s final stage, completing the path of Jesus Christ. Pulled out of the water, you reenter the world resurrected, a new creation. Wet and humbled, we revisit a time most don’t remember, our physical birth, a blank canvas for God to write his story on.

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." Acts 22:16

Like a Livery to a car, Baptism rebirths us into a new creation, without the need to be someone else, or obtain something else, other than what God has already placed within us once we accept him into our lives. Once baptized, like a Livery, you can be as bright and loud as you wish, or as modest and undertoned as you desire; but all in all, you’ll never be the same as you were again.