Why in the world do people get dunked in water? What's the big deal about baptism?
Is it for the super-spiritual people? Should I do it?
I'm sure you've asked yourself some, if not all, of these questions regarding baptism. When I (Brandon) began going to church I had no real understanding of what baptism was. It wasn't even on my radar. I was totally clueless.
But then I learned what it meant. And then I got baptized. In fact, my wife, Sara, and I both got baptized one after another. It was a really cool day as we started our journey of faith together and we got to share that moment together as well.
But why was it a "really cool day?" After all, we simply got dunked in some water, right?
Well, there's a ton more to baptism than simply getting wet. So let's look at what the Bible says about it.
4 Things You Should Know About Baptism
On our about page, we include some details about what we, as a church, believe about a number of things. One of which is what we believe about salvation. Below is what is said:[John 6:47, 14:6; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 19:18; Romans 6:23, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 2:10]
Here are 4 things you should know about baptism.
1. Jesus Was Baptized
In the opening of the Gospel According to Mark we are introduced to John the Baptist. And no, he was not the founder of the baptist denomination (in case you were wondering). This guy, John, was presenting a simple message - repent and be baptized for the kingdom of God is coming.Before Jesus comes onto the scene, John was saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptize with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:7-8 NASB).
While John was baptizing people simply with water, Jesus would baptize with a greater baptism - one that included the Holy Spirit.
Then we see Jesus come onto the scene and be baptized:
This is an interesting detail that relates to the second thing you should know about baptism.
2. The First Gospel Message Contained a Command to Repent and Be Baptized
In Acts 2 we find the apostle Peter preaching to a crowd of Jewish people. He is proclaiming the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, He died, was raised from the dead, and is your only hope for salvation.When the people heard the words Peter was proclaiming, they were:
If you recall what happened in Jesus' baptism above, you'll see a connection with the gift that is received. As Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. Peter said that you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So, Jesus was baptized and it was commanded by Peter as a response to the good news of Jesus in his first Gospel message post-resurrection.
3. Baptism Immerses You/Joins You in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Paul makes this specific point very clearly in two different letters - Romans and Colossians.This is what he says in Romans:
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 Forone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin,once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Romans 6:3-11 ESVin Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. - Colossians 2:11-14 NASB
4. What Are You Waiting For? - The Question Preceding Paul's Baptism
There are a lot of other passages that talk about baptism, but this article is already quite long.This all comes down to this question: what are you waiting for?
When Paul had an encounter with Jesus, he was blinded while on his way to Damascus. When he arrived to Damascus he met a man named, Ananias. Remember, he is still unable to see.
This is what happened next:
What About You?
Throughout the New Testament there is a pattern. The Gospel of Jesus is preached and one of the things people do in response is to be baptized.Jesus saves, let us make that clear. His blood is what makes it possible for us to receive salvation. As was quoted above, "When one hears the message of Jesus, the Bible says that the response should be to confess that Jesus is Lord, repent [turn away] from sin, be baptized like Jesus was, and continue a life of following Jesus Christ in faith."
How have you responded to Jesus?
Have you trusted Him with your life? Have you confessed that He is Lord? Have you turned away from your sins and toward Him? Have you been baptized like Jesus was? Are you following Him daily?
Where are you at?
If you haven't taken this step, you have the opportunity to change that. If you would like to talk more about baptism, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
What are you waiting for?
