When should you be Baptized?
by Ann Robinson-Worley
Baptism is an act of submission to the lordship of Christ where we participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. In the new Testament, baptism by immersion that is accompanied by faith and repentance is the normative response to the message of the Gospel. There is no such things as an unbaptized believer in the New Testament.
The New Testament places a significant value and importance on the mode and the meaning of baptism. The method of baptism in the bible is immersion of a believing repentant adult. It is important to follow this directive and example of the New Testament by getting baptized by immersion. If you have not been baptized by immersion then I encourage you to seek out a local church to participate in this act of faith.
Jesus was baptized as an example:
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 13-17
Jesus Commanded his disciples to be baptized:
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20
Baptism was the normal response to the message of the Gospel that was being preached from the early Christians:
"Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38
Baptism unites us with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:1-4
The early church practiced only one kind of baptism:
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism" Ephesians 4:5
In baptism, we clothe ourselves with Christ:
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. " Galatians 3:27
Baptism begins our new life in Christ:
"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:11-14
Baptism is an appeal to God for a clean conscience:
" There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21
