Good morning. I have a cousin who served for over 25 years in the U.S. Navy. He has a tattoo on his arm of an anchor with a chain swirling around it that says “U.S. Navy”. He has earned that symbol, and it fits him. If I were to have someone tattoo the same symbol, the anchor-chain-words, that tattoo would not make a sailor. I could cover myself with the marks and symbols favored by those who have served in our Navy and none of them would make me their peer. Such symbols only count when you have paid the price, done the deed or the work, earned the right to be a part of the group represented.
We know of the ICHTHUS, a symbol of the early church that looked like a fish. That symbol was used to mark the doors of early Christians who lived in Rome and other hostile environments. It told other Christians that the people inside were fellow believers, people they could trust and with whom they could celebrate worship. Did you know that there were other symbols that were favored by early Christians?
One was made of the Greek letters alpha and omega. The letters overlapped and the symbol referred to Jesus as the beginning and the end of all things for Christian people. Another symbol was of an anchor. That was not to show they were sailors, but to indicate that they had “anchored” their life to the Son of God their Savior. Some early Christians wore angels which meant that they were ready to hear God’s message; others wore butterflies to indicate their new life in Him; and many early Christians wore the symbol of a descending dove to show they were one with the Spirit of God.
There were other signs and symbols, and like those just mentioned, none of them were tattoos but were painted or fashioned in ways to represent their special meaning to those who wore them. God never commanded such marks or symbols, but I would like to think that He is pleased to see His people identifying with each other and with Him.
In 1 Peter 3:19-22 we are told of an instance where water is used as a great symbol of faith. First, there was the water of the great flood, through which only the faithful Noah and his immediate family would survive. Then we read: and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
The water doesn’t save any more than a tattoo of an anchor would make me a sailor. The saving takes place within, through the pledge of a clear conscience and by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the waters of baptism symbolize our salvation. Baptism is a moment that may be remembered throughout our lives, reminding us that we are joined with Jesus through faithful obedience.
May we be easily identified as faithful believers and may we always remember our salvation and give praise to Jesus!
Vern