by Inauguration Day is not when Donald Trump is declared President, that was declared by the certified election results. Inauguration Day is when the President publicly testifies his allegiance in service to the United States of America. Constitutionally, Presidential powers shift at noon on this day. The Constitution requires an affirmation of his allegiance before executing any duties, this oath is performed as close to noon as possible.
Similar to the President’s Inaugural Day is when the born-again believer enters into “newness of life” by affirming allegiance in service to our Savior (Romans 6:4-6, 18-22). Jesus as our example, He was declared to be our Savior at His incarnation, and then thirty years later His Inauguration Day was when He publicly affirmed His allegiance in service to the Father at the Jordon River (Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-33). Hence, the Inauguration Day of the born-again believer is not at our justification when we are born-again, but when we publicly testify our allegiance in service to Jesus through our baptism.
Romans 12:1-8 shows this sequence for the believer. We cannot effectively serve Him in verses 4-8 until we humbly go through verses 1-3, when we give ourselves back to our Savior as “a living sacrifice.” As Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, and after we put our faith in His sacrifice for salvation, we symbolize His sacrifice to the world through our baptism. This is our oath of affirmation just as the President’s is on Inauguration Day, and as Jesus’ was at the Jordon River. In verses 4-8, after our inauguration through baptism, we accept our service in allegiance to our Savior.
Baptism is the first act of obedience after salvation, not a matter of salvation, but a public declaration of allegiance to our Savior. Just as the President’s affirmation is performed as soon as possible to noon on Inauguration Day, our baptism is to be as soon as possible after our salvation.
If you have delayed, and not been baptized after your salvation, please do so as soon as possible. Your pastor is ready to work with you.
