Going to lay down by Burden - Down by the waters side..

"Going to lay down by Burden - Down by the river side.." this little hymn that most relate to baptisms was first written as a African spiritual of Hope. It was sung by those that dropping the burden of slavery and swimming across the great river to freedom in northern border states. The Imagery remains rich when this understanding is added to the picture of baptism. The free slaves remembered there experience of swimming for freedom and paralleled that experience to the experience of baptism. The song was born on the tongues of men an woman that knew the wet thirst for freedom and the journy thought the water to get there. Further, Paul in Romans uses Baptism as a metaphor for the freedom we have in our salvation. we are new creations free - and holy in Christ. It is seen in Romans 6:3-5

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

As we go under with him we will be raised with him. Both certainty and hope point to the freedom we have in Christ. Baptism is a description that a burden has been laid down by the river side. The slavery of sin, the past, unforgivness, hopplessness are all no more and we now live as free men and woman. I love how my church does baptisms, it is down by the river side, if you will . Below is a video of one little freedom child making her swim for freedom. SO hum it if you know it....

"Going to lay down my Burden - Down by the river side.."

Our justification from sins takes place at the point of saving faith, not at the point of water baptism, which usually occurs later. But if a person is already justified and has sins forgiven eternally at the point of saving faith, then baptism is not necessary for forgiveness of sins nor for the bestowal of new spiritual life. Baptism, then, is not necessary for salvation. But it is necessary if we are to be obedient to Christ, for he commanded baptism for all who believe in him.

WAYNE A. GRUDEM, Bible Doctrine

Baptism is rich in meaning. It suggests cleansing. When you are a disciple, you understand that you are cleansed by Christ. You understand that Christ died in your place on the cross, paying for your sins, fully forgiving you for all your wrongs. You are cleansed from guilt, and you are becoming a cleaner, healthier, more whole person.

BRIAN D. MCLAREN, More Ready Than You Realize