Why Should I Get Baptized?

Baptism is one of the important ordinances of the Christian faith. It is a very symbolic aspect of our faith because it signifies our open identification with the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. John, the Baptist, was the first to baptize people in water in the Bible. (Matthew 3: 6-11).

WHAT BAPTISM IS

Baptism is the immersion of an individual in water, and this individual must be someone that has given his life to Christ. In simple terms, baptism means immersing a believer in Christ in water.

WHAT BAPTISM IS NOT

Baptism is not sprinkling a believer with water. It is not dipping the finger in water to make a cross sign on the head of a believer. It is not sprinkling an infant with water. Baptism is not the way to become saved; Jesus is the only way to salvation.

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

All believers in Jesus Christ should be baptized. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

WHEN BAPTISM SHOULD BE DONE

It should be done as soon as a person gives his/her life to Christ. There are many examples of believers in the Bible who got baptized as soon as they became born again. (Acts 8:12, 9:18, 10:48, 16:15, 16:30, 18:8). This does not mean, however, that those who have been born again for many years and have never been baptized cannot be baptized. Baptism should be done after conversion regardless of the time frame afterwards.

IN WHOSE NAME?

Baptism should be done in the name of God, the Father, God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

WHY BAPTISM?

• Baptism is important for believers because it is a commandment from Jesus, Our Lord. (Matthew 28:19)
• Jesus was baptized and He is our role model. (Matthew 3:16)
• Baptism represents the crucifixion of our old nature and our resurrection into our new nature; the nature of Christ. (Galatians 2:20)
• Baptism is also a public identification with Jesus Christ.
• Baptism reveals our readiness to follow and obey Jesus in everything. It is the answer of a good conscience; a heart willing and ready to follow Jesus. (1 Peter 3:21)

In conclusion, Peter in his first book likens the salvation of Noah and his family to water Baptism. (1 Peter 3:20-22). He revealed that just as Noah and his family were kept safe in the ark as the flood destroyed mankind, our baptism shows our readiness to stay in the ark of our salvation; Jesus. And although baptism is not salvation, it is an important aspect of our faith.