Young believers sometimes ask me, “Why Water Baptism?”. It may seem strange or weird for those who have never experienced it. The body of Christ and local church have been doing this for 2,000 plus years and the excitement for this first step of faith is still ever growing around the world. So let me give you briefly some Biblical truths to hopefully understand God’s heart for you a little more.
It’s God’s Idea: Jesus himself was obedient unto God’s plan for water baptism, before starting his ministry, being baptized by his cousin John. Then after his earthly ministry, Jesus gives his command to the disciples of water baptism before ascending into heaven.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
It’s An Action of Obedience: Water baptism is not the performance that brings salvation, faith in the performance of Jesus is enough. Being obedient to receive baptism can be similar to being married and putting on an outward wedding ring. Baptism is a symbol to yourself and friends that you no longer are the king of your own life and letting those around you know you were purchased at a very high price.
Identify With Christ and His Church: When you are water baptized, you are identifying with the death and burial of Jesus and being raised with Him in life. The world offers have thousands of identities, God offers believers one identity in Jesus. Once you are baptized into Christ, God’s word reveals you are in a community of believers, His church.
Romans 6:1-7 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 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 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
brandonpollard 