Baptism is going public with your faith and declaring how Jesus has changed your life. However, baptism can be misunderstood. It is different from what saves you. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Instead, baptism is a chance to show your new personal relationship with Jesus to the outside world.
Jesus said to do it.
Jesus commanded his followers to Go, Make, Baptize, and Teach. This is called the Great Commission. Accepting Jesus should make us want to publicly show our changed lives and be on a mission to talk with others about Jesus.
Therefore, Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19)
Jesus was Baptized.
When Jesus was baptized, he was setting an example for us.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightaway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him and lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17)
When you accept the salvation that Jesus offers, you are now part of the family of God. Baptism shows you are now set apart to live for God’s purposes.
Baptism symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Know ye not that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death, like Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so, we should also walk in the newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)
Going under the water symbolizes the death of Jesus and coming out of the water for his resurrection. Baptism is a picture of victory over death and how the blood of Jesus washes away our sins, allowing us to start a new life in Jesus.
Baptism initiates a relationship between you and other believers.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
When you get baptized in front of others, you declare your new relationship with God. You are asking other Brothers and Sisters in Christ to surround you with prayer, encouragement, the teaching of God’s Word, and accountability in your journey.
I decided to get Baptized.
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