Water baptism is a public declaration that we have turned away from our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord (Acts 2:38).
It is important to recognize that baptism does not save us; instead we are saved by God’s grace as we trust in His Son who died for us on the cross and was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10). However, baptism publicly identifies us with Jesus Christ as His disciples, His followers. This is vital because Jesus Himself said, "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32).
Each of us should be baptized because Jesus set the example for us when He was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13-17) and because He commanded that His disciples be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20). In addition, the early church consistently baptized those who believed in Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:12,36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,32; 19:4-5).
Obeying God through water baptism is an important step toward spiritual fruitfulness and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:11-12). As we go down into the waters and come back up we demonstrate that our old life of sin has been buried with Christ and we have been raised with Him (Romans 6:1-4). Baptism is a celebration of God’s grace and an expression of our desire and intention to follow Him!
It is important to recognize that baptism does not save us; instead we are saved by God’s grace as we trust in His Son who died for us on the cross and was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10). However, baptism publicly identifies us with Jesus Christ as His disciples, His followers. This is vital because Jesus Himself said, "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32).
Each of us should be baptized because Jesus set the example for us when He was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13-17) and because He commanded that His disciples be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20). In addition, the early church consistently baptized those who believed in Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:12,36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,32; 19:4-5).
Obeying God through water baptism is an important step toward spiritual fruitfulness and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:11-12). As we go down into the waters and come back up we demonstrate that our old life of sin has been buried with Christ and we have been raised with Him (Romans 6:1-4). Baptism is a celebration of God’s grace and an expression of our desire and intention to follow Him!
