Imagine someone joining a sports team. Before they can fully participate, they need to put on the uniform. Then they can step onto the field, and everyone can see that they belong. They are part of the team!
Baptism is like that for the believer. It’s not what makes you part of God’s family (that happens when you believe) but it’s the visible moment where everyone can see, ‘This person belongs to Jesus.’ Just like putting on the team jersey, baptism publicly shows that we are on Christ’s team and ready to live as His followers. The believer is commanded to be baptized. Why?
The Importance of Baptism
Christ is our example (Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus comes to John to be baptized in Matthew 3:13; however, John hesitates. He knows his baptism is one of repentance and Jesus does not need repentance. But why is John’s baptism “a baptism of repentance” (Mark 1:4) if baptism doesn’t save? This phrase has confused a good deal of people and led them to believe a person is saved through baptism. However, to understand this verse in the context of the rest of scripture, we realize 5 things about John’s baptism ministry:
1. This baptism was a public response to repentance. It was an outward sign that people were turning from sin and readying themselves for God’s coming work.
2. John the Baptist was part of the transition point in God’s rescue plan (redemption). John is seen as the last of the Old Testament style prophets (Matt. 11:13), so his ministry bridged the Old Covenant and the arrival of the Messiah. This means that John’s baptism was meant to call Israel to prepare for the Lord (Is. 40:3) and this is why his followers were baptized again in Acts 19:1-7, but this time it was in the name of the Lord.
3. This baptism marked sinners ready for God’s mercy before Jesus arrived. Baptism did not forgive sins…repentance and faith forgave sins.
4. This baptism signaled identification, not salvation. They were identified as sinners in need of mercy, as those ready to abandon self-righteousness, and as those who were looking for the Messiah.
5. John knew his baptism was preparatory and temporary (Matt. 3:11).
Salvation has always been by grace through faith, not by rituals or our own personal works (Gen. 15:6; Hab. 2:4; Rom. 4; Eph. 2:8-9).
So, John knows who Jesus is and feels this is backwards. The greater should not be baptized by the lesser! John is demonstrating genuine humility (he is not worthy), accurate theology (repentance does not apply to Jesus), and reverence (he does not want to mishandle the Messiah).
To summarize the importance of baptism, here are three more reasons:
Christ commands us to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20)
The disciples baptized many followers (John 4:1-2)
The New Testament church practiced baptism (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 8:38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:33; 18:5; 18:8)
The Meaning of Baptism
When my wife and I got married, we exchanged wedding rings. The rings didn’t create our love or make the marriage real. However, the rings were (and still are) important. They are a visible symbol of our marriage. Taking my wedding ring off doesn’t make me single, but wearing the ring clearly communicates that I belong to my wife. In the same way, there are moments in our faith where God calls us to make visible what He has already done in our hearts. Let’s look closer at what getting baptized really means.
Identification (Romans 6:4)
Baptism identifies a believer with Jesus by visibly portraying their union with His death, burial, and resurrection, as well as their commitment to live a new life in Him.
Obedience (Matthew 28:19-20)
This command is part of Jesus’ final authoritative instruction at the end of His earthly ministry. It is NOT expressed as optional or merely symbolic. So, in obeying this command, the believer is marked as one belonging to God and in union with God (Rom. 6:3-4). It should also be noted that this obedience is following from salvation, not towards salvation (Jn. 14:15).
Culture. The culture of the first century made baptism to be a powerful social risk. Remember, this would be during Roman rule and the long arm of Caesar. Baptism would be a clear break from the old life…it would make the believer a clear part of those who follow Jesus (the One who would be/was crucified) …and it would be a bold PUBLIC confession of their faith in Jesus.
Although the social risk can be different in our modern-day culture, we cannot water down this step of obedience. We must clearly break away from our old lives continually, embrace the church community, and publicly stand for Jesus!
Public Testimony (Romans 6:1-6)
Our public testimony at the time of baptism reveals:
1. Jesus’ death is counted as my death.
2. Jesus’ resurrection power now defines my life.
3. Sin is no longer my master. My new allegiance is Jesus!
4. An inward transformation by grace through faith is affirmed.
5. Salvation rests on what Christ has done, not what I earn.
The Mode of Baptism
During the Age of Exploration, many sailors tried different routes to reach the Indies, following countless maps and theories. But the evidence was clear: only the tested course worked.
What is the meaning of the Greek word for baptize — “baptizo?”
There is some discussion among believers as to how a person is to be Biblically baptized. Some will sprinkle water over the head, some will pour water over the head, and some will immerse the whole person underwater. Does it make a difference? I believe the Bible says it does. The Greek word for baptize is “baptizo” and it means to dip, to plunge under, to submerge. So, the conclusion from the meaning definitively points to baptism by immersion.
Next, we look at examples of baptisms in scripture. How are they described? John 3:23 says they baptized in this location because there was “much water there.” Acts 8:38-39 says that Philip and the Eunuch “went down both into the water…and (came) up out of the water.” Mark 1:10 describes Jesus’ own baptism with the words “coming up out of the water.” Now we know that sprinkling and pouring do not fit Biblical accounts where “much water” is needed or going “down…into the water” is described, or “coming up out of the water” verbally pictured. These all point to immersion.
So, the Greek definition of “baptizo” points to immersion and the Biblical descriptions point to immersion – but the identification of the believer with Christ’s death and resurrection are only visually pictured with immersion. Going down into the water pictures his death and coming back up out of the water pictures His resurrection. Sprinkling and pouring cannot picture the work of Christ as beautifully as immersion clearly does.
The Timing of Baptism
After salvation (Acts 2:41; 8:12-13; 8:36-39; 16:14-15, 30-31)
Scripture always describes baptism taking place after faith in Jesus.
1. In Acts 2:41, the first believers first “received the word” and then were baptized.
2. In Acts 8:12-13, the Samaritans got baptized after “they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God.” In the next verse it says, “Then Simon himself believed also,” and then he was baptized.
3. In Acts 8:36-39, the Eunuch was baptized AFTER he affirmed his faith in Jesus.
4. In Acts 16:14-15, we find Lydia believing in Jesus before getting baptized and in verses 30-31 we rejoice as the Philippian jailer believes on the Lord Jesus Christ before getting baptized.
Before church membership (Acts 2:41)
This verse ends with “the same day were added unto them about 3,000 souls.” Does this passage make the case for local church membership or is this a reference to the universal church? Well, the word “added” literally means “were incorporated” or “joined.” In the verses that followed (Acts 2:42-47), these new believers were added into something local and observable…most likely the Jerusalem fellowship of believers. They are eating together, praying together, learning together, and sharing possessions. This is a clear reference to new believers getting baptized and then joining a local church.
To sum it all up: Baptism is commanded by God…after salvation by immersion…done to obey the Lord’s command, to identify with the local church, and to give public testimony that you now belong to Jesus.
Take a moment and think of a family photo. Everyone in the family belongs in the picture. They are part of the story! But for some reason, you refuse to step into the picture frame for the photographer to include you in the picture. You are still part of the family, but others cannot see you!
Baptism is our chance to step into the picture God is creating of His church…to show the world that we belong to Jesus! Of course, we now know that baptism doesn’t save us, but it is a public, joyful way to say, “I belong to Jesus and I am living for Him!” Today is the day to step into that frame and let others see what God has already done in your heart!