Jesus gave us a special ceremony called baptism as a way to show this total change that happens inside.

1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What three-letter word describes people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior?

   As we become closer friends with Jesus, we tap into the power of His death and resurrection. This power then changes us into the kind of people God wants us to be. It’s a power that is stronger than anything you have ever seen. It’s the power of Jesus in you!
   The Bible talks about this power in Romans 6:3-4. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
   Baptism means being put under the water to show we are starting a new life in Jesus. Back when the Bible was written, readers understood that baptism marked a total change. The word “baptize” was used to describe dunking cloth into dye. The fabric came out a different color. The Bible states that, in a similar way, at baptism a different person rises out of the water.

  Baptism is not about covering up sin—it’s a celebration of the change in a sinner. This change is possible only through