A baptism experience is one of the most memorable events of your walk with Christ. It marks a particular moment signifying repentance, dying to self, and being raised again to walk in the new life that Christ bought for you. It is a celebration of new life that your friends and family can all participate with.
So, why is baptism such a big deal to us? Here are four great reasons for you to be baptized in June:
1. Jesus modeled it
In an age when so many leaders’ lives don’t back up what they say they believe, it is great to look to Jesus who absolutely practiced what he preached. We don’t just learn his teachings, but we follow the clear example he set for us. This includes being baptized.
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. -Mark 1:9
As followers of Christ, our chief desire should always be to live as he did.
2. Jesus commanded it
Jesus says that part of making disciples is baptism. The New Testament only knows believers who have been baptized. It isn’t a prerequisite for salvation, but it is expected.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20
3. It is the FIRST STEP of obedience for the new believer
When the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Peter preached his first sermon, which stirred people to respond. (that’s good preaching!)
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -Acts 2:37-38
This shows a clear progression: repentance, baptism, Holy Spirit. That’s kind of a big deal. Peter implies that you will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit until you are baptized. An obedient child of God will follow this clear pattern.
4. It is the believer’s public profession of faith.
The gospel writer Mark explains that the gospel begins with John the Baptist, who’s message was to repent from sins, and turn to the coming messiah. He baptized many, as a public profession of their faith.
He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. -Mark 1:4
Is this all?
Actually, the Scriptures point to baptism being much deeper and mysterious than we can easily understand in a short blog post. In Peter tells us that “baptism now saves us.” Jesus even said that “he that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” What do we do with verses like these when we also have verses that say “for by grace you are saved by faith… Not by works…?” I’m working up a message about this for us in June. As always, it will come with a podcast and discussion questions for your lifegroup. Stay tuned!