You must be baptized. Why? Is this just one more rule to follow - a random requirement of our religion?
NO, NO, NO way! Baptism is one of the most important steps a disciple of Jesus makes, and I'd like to show you why:
First, take a look at some of God's words about baptism:
"...go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19,20
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 3:38
"...don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were therefore bried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, we too may have new life." Romans 6:2-4
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you wh owere batized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:26,27
"In it (the ark of Noah) on a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this
water symbolizes baptism which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand..."
1 Peter 3:20-22
So why be baptized? There are several great reasons:
1) Jesus did it to identify himself with the Kingdom of God and to show us the
way of discipleship and Kingdom living.
2) In baptism we die to our sinful lives of the past and rise to live a new life of
discipleship to Jesus - obedience to the King. It is often considered by many
to be their 'born again' experience because of the new life reality.
3) In baptism we acknowledge our sinfulness and show our faith in God's offer of
forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
4) It is a sign to the world and to the Kingdom that we have chosen to give our
allegiance to the King and to turn our backs on the ways of the world.
5) Jesus gives baptism as the first active step in becoming a disciple of His.
Baptism is not a magic formula, but an act of loving obedience that God honors greatly.
The water doesn't save us and the act doesn't save us, but the power of God saves us as we show our faith in His promises.
That's why Peter says it saves us through the power of the resurrection. Baptism by itself is powerless, but in light
of all the good news of Jesus, it has great power.
Baptism is to be done when someone believes the message and has decided to follow
Jesus. One should not wait until they have reached a certain point of maturity in their faith or knowledge, but should
be baptized as an initial act of discipleship. Learning and growing will come as we are taught to obey everything he
commanded (Matthew 28:19,20), but baptism is something to be done very soon after the decision has been made to follow Christ.
The book of Acts is full of examples of those who heard the message about Jesus and
the Kingdom, believed and were immediately baptized. The apostles of Jesus understood what Jesus wanted, and we should
follow their lead in this matter, don't you think?
For those who have not yet been baptized, you now know how important it is that you
do so. For those who have been, let this be a reminder of the great things we have in Christ because of His merciful
kindness to us.
