Baptism is such an important milestone in every Christian’s life. However, so many wait a long time to get baptizeafter giving their life to the Lord - or they have some misconceptions about it, I know I did after I gave my life to Jesus. To help bring some clarity here are...
3 Reasons Why Baptism is Important for Every Christian:
1. Baptism is an Outer Expression of an Inner Work
When we give our lives to Jesus, it is our faith in Him that brings salvation, no other act can do that - not even baptism. Salvation is the miraculous inner work when the Holy Spirit comes and lives within us, when we are forgiven of all our sins, and when we are adopted into God’s family to eventually spend eternity in Heaven with Him. It's Amazing!
Therefore, Baptism is simply an outer expression and celebration of the salvation we have already been given. So the question remains...
If I’m already saved, is it necessary to get baptized?
Getting baptized is an important step of obedience as a Christian. Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist before he started his ministry (Matthew 3:13-17). And later, before he ascends to Heaven, his command to all His followers is to “make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is not only an important milestone in a Christian’s walk with the Lord, it’s a command that we are called to do.
I just gave my life to the Lord, but I don’t feel ready, should I get baptized?
Baptism isn’t about feeling ready, it’s about being obedient. It’s not about you trying to 'qualify' yourself, or prove yourself worthy to be baptized. You’ve been qualified the moment you put your faith in Jesus, because He is the one who is worthy. Don’t believe me? Here are several stories in the book of Acts where people were baptized immediately after getting saved. You can check them out here: Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 16:33
2. Baptism is a Public Declaration of Your Faith in Christ
This is an initial way of taking your faith public. In another words it's you saying, "this is real and I am not ashamed of who Jesus is, and who I am in Jesus. This is who I identify with, and this is my family!” Look what Jesus says about this in Matthew 10:32,
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
I heard someone say that baptism is like a wedding ring. It’s a symbol that represents who your heart belongs to. People see the ring and it tells them that you are committed to someone. Getting baptized is telling everyone that you are committed to Jesus - that your heart belongs to Him.
3. Baptism is a Uniting with Jesus in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection
When we get baptized we are identifying and uniting with Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. The water is a picture of the grave. This is what it says in Romans 6:3-4,
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
In a sense it's a living picture of the gospel:
So, if you’ve given your life to Jesus, and you have not yet been baptized there is no better time than the next opportunity. Get baptized and you will not only bless the Lord, but you in turn will be blessed!
Click here to sign up for the next Baptism at Inspire Church!
2. Baptism is a Public Declaration of Your Faith in Christ
This is an initial way of taking your faith public. In another words it's you saying, "this is real and I am not ashamed of who Jesus is, and who I am in Jesus. This is who I identify with, and this is my family!” Look what Jesus says about this in Matthew 10:32,
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
I heard someone say that baptism is like a wedding ring. It’s a symbol that represents who your heart belongs to. People see the ring and it tells them that you are committed to someone. Getting baptized is telling everyone that you are committed to Jesus - that your heart belongs to Him.
3. Baptism is a Uniting with Jesus in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection
When we get baptized we are identifying and uniting with Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. The water is a picture of the grave. This is what it says in Romans 6:3-4,
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
In a sense it's a living picture of the gospel:
- Standing in the water - Jesus dying on the cross
- Being submerged in the water - Jesus buried in the tomb
- Being raised up out of the water - Jesus rising from the dead to life
So, if you’ve given your life to Jesus, and you have not yet been baptized there is no better time than the next opportunity. Get baptized and you will not only bless the Lord, but you in turn will be blessed!
Click here to sign up for the next Baptism at Inspire Church!
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