Water baptism is exclusive only to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Is it a must for all believers to be water baptized? The quick answer is every Christian must water baptism. Here’s why
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19
Those who believe in Jesus is commanded by Him to do two things. One is the make disciples by sharing or loving others and the other is to baptize them. The verse above is actually a command which clearly states you do not really have a choice if you want to do it or not.
All Christians are commanded to do these two things, it’s not optional. In fact, all believers in the Bible after they have accepted Jesus Christ insist that converts had to be baptized the moment they accepted Jesus ( Acts 2:38; 22:16 )
What Does Water Baptism Mean?
Christians should be baptized out of obedience and love for our Lord Jesus as water baptism symbolic represents death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
“all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:3-4
Water baptism is a beautiful symbolic act of what our Lord Jesus has done for us as believers. As you are immersed in the water, symbolize the burial of our body and old self with our Lord as we are baptized into His death on the cross and are no longer slaves to sin.
As you are raised out of the water, it symbolically shows you are raised to new life in Christ to be with Him, born into the family of God.
Water baptism also illustrates spiritual cleansing, just as water cleanses the flesh, the Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts as we trust in Jesus.
Therefore, water baptism should be a natural follow-through to firm their faith in Jesus Christ and declare openly as well one’s faith for Christ.
What Water Baptism is Not
- It is not a declaration of your belief or allegiance to Jesus for others to see, you do it out of love and obedience to Christ.
- You do not get special favor from Jesus from water baptism
- Water baptism is never a requirement to be a member of a church
- Water baptism does not indicate your starting point in your faith in Jesus
Water Baptism Does Not Save Christians
Water baptism should not be done as an affirmation of their salvation. As no one can be saved through their works or deed for God.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Eph 2:8-9
So you are saved not through water baptism but only by your faith in Jesus Christ.
Should Infants Be Water Baptized?
Only those that believe and confess in Jesus Christ as Lord should be baptized ( Acts 8:12 ). Therefore, infants who are not capable of making such a choice in their life yet would be meaningless to baptize.
Christians are strongly encouraged if they were already baptized when they were infants to baptized again when they able to make decisions of their own to believe and confess in Jesus Christ.
How To Be Water Baptized?
Baptize comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to dip completely into
“ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” – Mathew 3:16
In Acts 8:38-39, the Bible also clearly gave instructions how baptism should be done.
“ he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”
The verses above clearly indicate being submerged in water and emerging from the water.
Who Can Baptize You?
The common practice today is to seek and ask your local pastor to plan and organize a time to baptize you. So if you desire to be water baptized today please approach your church pastor or leaders today that you want to be water baptized. Please do not wait as explained earlier it’s a command given by Jesus.