When should I be baptized?
As soon as you can if you have made the decision to believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-39). After you have trusted in Christ as your Savior and Lord, water baptism is your initiation into the Body of Christ. One of the first things you need to do as Christ’s follower is to be baptized.
Why should I be baptized?
Only God’s grace can save you, through your personal faith in Jesus. However, although water baptism does not "save" you, it has a significant role at the beginning of the Christian life. When you are baptized, it shows three important things about your beginning as a Christian:
1. Obedience – "If Jesus said so, I will do it."
Jesus specifically instructed that His followers be baptized after they had come into a saving relationship with Him. This is not merely a suggestion, but rather a command to be acted upon. In fact, beginning with the early church, the Christian church has practiced baptism throughout its history. Baptism is an act of personal obedience that sets you on the right path for growth as a follower of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism indicates that we are serious about developing our relationship with Jesus, and following Him fully.
2. Identification – "I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of his Church."
We identify with Jesus Christ and His people when we are baptized. When you are physically baptized, you outwardly express the inward reality that you have now died to your old life, and are now resurrected to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). You identify with Jesus Christ and make a public statement that you are a true follower of His as you are baptized in His name.
3. Declaration – "I want others to know."
Not only do we privately acknowledge our belief in Christ, but we go public with our faith, and declare the fact that we have decided to become a follower of Christ. This public declaration should be a very meaningful experience for you. It is a time of community celebration and can be a public witness to others who have not yet decided to follow Christ (Acts 2:41,47). It is also a powerful time for witnessing changed lives and for sharing our testimony.
How should I be baptized?
1. Baptism by immersion illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. – Colossians 2:12
2. Immersion illustrates my new life as a Christian.
Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. – Romans 6:4
Why be baptized by immersion?
1. Jesus was baptized that way.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. – Matthew 3:16
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion (which best symbolizes a burial and resurrection).
And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. – Acts 8:38
3. Founders of denominations agree.
"I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies." – Martin Luther
"Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church." – John Wesley
Invite your family and friends to this joyful celebration of your new life!
Since your baptism celebration happens only once in a lifetime, you may want to invite your friends and family to share your joy on that day. Prayerfully consider inviting your un-churched family and friends since this is a great opportunity to hear and witness the Good News.