Accepting Christ as Savior and Lord is the most significant decision anyone can make. It marks the beginning of a wonderful, eternal journey as Christ indwells the new believer. Along this journey, one of the first important steps is baptism. Unfortunately, many new believers do not follow through with baptism due to a lack of understanding about its importance. It is crucial for church members and leaders to communicate the significance of baptism effectively.

Baptism in the Bible

Biblical Foundations of Baptism

The first mention of baptism in the Bible is in Matthew 3:7:
“But when He saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism…”

The term “baptize” first appears in Matthew 3:11:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.”

Meaning of Baptism

The term “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptizo,” which means to dip repeatedly, immerse, submerge, cleanse by dipping or submerging, wash, or make clean with water.

Salvation and Baptism

Salvation does not come through baptism. It comes through acknowledging the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As stated in Romans 10:9-10:
“…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

The Act of Baptism

After confessing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you should seek to be baptized. This act is a public declaration of your faith and symbolizes the union between you and Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Example from the Bible

One powerful example of baptism in the Bible is found in Acts 8:36-39, where Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch:
“As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.”

At Gateway, we pray that, like the Ethiopian eunuch, you will rejoice in your new identity as a child of God after your baptism.

Why Should I Be Baptized?

Following Jesus’ Example

Jesus Himself was baptized, even though He was without sin. His baptism was an act of obedience and a model for us to follow:
– Matthew 3:13: “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.”
– Luke 3:21: “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened…”

Public Declaration of Faith

Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the death of your old self and the rebirth of your new self in Christ. By being baptized, you proclaim:
– “I have surrendered my old life and have been spiritually resurrected.”

Reflecting Jesus in Your Life

After your public declaration of faith, you are clothed in Christ. As followers of Jesus, we should reflect His presence in our lives, both in church and in our daily activities. Your baptism is a serious commitment, following the example of Jesus, who took His own baptism seriously despite being without sin.

By understanding and embracing the significance of baptism, you take a vital step in your spiritual journey, publicly affirming your faith and commitment to live as a follower of Jesus Christ.