Baptism is a public sign that a Christian has been brought from death to life. Answer "Why should I get baptized?" is an important question for Christians to answer. You now belong to Jehovah, which is a great privilege. Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovahs Witnesses in association with Jehovahs organization? But is this all that goes on? According to Luke 14:27-30, what should you think carefully about before getting baptized? Yes it is. Is it door knocking so many houses first as some religions do? Baptism is a way for Christians to rejoice in the testimony God has given them and when done publicly, it can even encourage other believers too. You can visit churches in your area, or use Google or Facebook to search for "Baptist churches near [your zip code].". This is something that the disciples took to heart. Ancient pagans had ceremonial cleanings, but its Christian origin is primarily traced to Old Testament Jewish ritual purifications. 15 How reassuring and comforting it is to know that Jehovahs worshippers can rely on the holy spirit to help them in serving God! The Scriptures continually pair the experience of water-baptism with the bestowal of the Holy Spirit. It reveals to us how we are now in right standing with God and how we have a good conscience before Him. IMAGINE that a person decides to build a house. Do you have to pass a test as some religions do? He even uses baptism as a shorthand to refer to the whole event of their conversion. However, the Bible teaches that the only way to get to heaven is to become a Christian, which you do by accepting Jesus as your Savior. Team Leaders are held accountable for their assigned small group of Mercy Hill Students. Such an immersion, sometimes done under the watchful eye of the Levitical priest, was an act of religious cleansing and would be repeated each time one desired entrance into the temple courts. For Christians, baptism is neither ritual purification nor a preparatory rite. 2. 11:6) You completely trust in Jehovahs promises found in the Bible, and you are convinced that your faith in Jesus sacrifice can save you from sin and death. Here is a definition of baptism I offered in another short book, called Understanding Baptism: Baptism is a churchs act of affirming and portraying a believers union with Christ by immersing him or her in water, and a believers act of publicly committing him or herself to Christ and his people, thereby uniting a believer to the church and marking off him or her from the world. From the earliest days of the Christian church, baptism has been a foundational step of faith universally observed by believers immediately following salvation ( Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 38 ). John called people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, expressed through the rite of outward washing. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Receiving the word and being baptized went hand in hand. We wont be condemned if we arent baptized because it isnt required for salvation. For those rising from the baptismal waters, baptism entailed living a new life. Further, Jesus himself warns that faith that stays a secret is no faith at all. In other words, in baptism you commit to Christs people. These truths are very powerful and can deeply touch your heart. The Biblical Answer Why Do Christians Get Baptized? * Recall that dedication is a vow and that Jehovah expects you to keep it. Colossians 2:11-12, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. If the candidate is a minor, ensure that the parents or guardians have given permission, preferably in writing, for him or her to be baptized. It shows they want to celebrate a new life in Christ and commit to Jesus publicly. 10-11. Now, the following list contains examples of reasons that people use as their primary purpose for being baptized, and why those reasons are faulty foundations. Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. The English word baptism derives from the Greek word baptisma and denotes the action of washing or plunging in water. 15 votes, 86 comments. Ignore this part if you are not using a baptistry. Its a feeling that you cant conjure up on your own, its super important to ask God to fill you with more and more of his Spirit even after you are baptized. Your commitment to Christs people follows logically, necessarily, and immediately from your commitment to Christ. Only in a local church can members honor the less-honored (1 Cor. Why should you get baptized? Too often is baptism understood individualistically. 10 To be baptized 'in the name of the Son' means to recognize Jesus' office and authority as God's only-begotten Son. 6:19) By all means, think carefully and pray about your answer to the question, Am I ready to get baptized?. His writing can be found at Christianity.com,crosswalk.com,ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. Once Christians receive the Holy Spirit, hes there to stay and dwell in their spirits. 6:2, 11; 7:4). According to aboutcatholic.com baptism does five things : It forgives all sins that were committed before baptism including original, mortal, and venial sin. As an example, both a friend of mine and myself were baptized when we were pretty young. 18. At the beginning of Jesus ministry, John the Baptizer used this Jewish imagery in his work where the peoples confession of sin, and their repentance and forgiveness, was ratified by baptism. 28:1820). What reasons for baptism does the Bible provide? Which I've also done recently. To live the Christian life is to live amid the Christian community. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We can look to the very words of Jesus for the answer to this question: Jesus was baptized because it was necessary for the fulfillment of all righteousness ( Matthew 3:15 ). One was immersed in the river Jordon as a sign of their turning toward the dawning messianic age. . One of my pet peeves is that modern preachers say baptism is a work and nothing can be further from the truth, what a distortion of the word of God. Proper baptism is a prerequisite for membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so previously baptized people are baptized again if they wish to join. Why? But when we do, he expects us to fulfill it.Ps. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matt. To get baptized, you need to have "an accurate knowledge of truth." ( 1 Timothy 2:4) This does not mean that you have to know the answer to every Bible question before you get baptized. All those who received Christ that day were received by the church. Its imagery is rich in Hebrew Scripture, as in Psalm 51:1-7 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. In his commentary, Warren Wiersbe says, Wash (vv. 7 Fear of failure. If so, you are facing a decision similar to that of the man who wants to build a house. Faithful Jews would often immerse themselves (Greek: baptizo)in public pools prior to going into the temple. 6:33) You can do that by making the preaching work a priority in your life. Now thats a bit of a mouthful. 17. -Alex Nolette (Equip Coordinator/Community Groups). He does this because baptism is a visible, tangible, public, dramatic expression of faith in Christ. (Heb. Groups Team Leaders invest not only in students, but also in their teams, in order to help team members minister effectively to students each week. What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said. You have developed faith. 2, 7) refers to the cleansing of dirty clothing (Isa. Plan the ceremony. You are declaring openly your contempt for Gods ways, his justice, and his righteousness. In baptism, you pledge yourself to the church, and the church pledges itself to you. Is it worth the expense? It symbolizes the washing away of sins, the death of the old sinful life, and the beginning of the new life in God's Holy Spirit. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. It is important to itemize what you are doing when you get baptized: If you refuse water baptism you are doing the opposite to the items mentioned above. The first step is to find a pastor who will be willing to baptize you. Baptism is also something that Jesus commands Christians to do in the Bible, but it is not a requirement to become a Christian or to be saved. Thats why Paul singles out baptism as a sign of conversion. As she grew up, she saw the impact that her brother's actions had on her parents. Baptism is not simply a rite of individual religiosity. They shared their lives and their possessions (Acts 2:44). Which command? There are extreme cases, however, when even an unbaptized person can baptize someone. To summarize Jesuss teaching in Matthew 28:19, we can say that baptism is the first item on Jesuss list of Everything I Have Commanded You. Why should you get baptized? 6:14). (John 14:26; 2Pet. ( Colossians 1:9, 10) But you do need to have a basic understanding of Bible teachings. He willingly gave his life for us. If you believe and want to respond to the truth of the gospel through a repenting of your entire sinful life and walking in obedience to Jesus as Lord, this is the reason to get baptized. Perhaps the only time baptism is seen to occur in an individual context is with the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8. But it is SO important. By regularly attending the meetings, you will strengthen your bond with them. Finally, a wise and seasoned pastor offered the solution; Just baptize them, he suggested, then you will never see them again!. We have all fallen short and unless we are born again we can not enter the Kingdom of God. So after your baptism, you have to live up to your dedication. This doesnt mean they told John the Baptist every single sin they have ever done. Not burying your old life is more work who wants to carry all that old baggage around? What It Does St. Paul describes baptism as the "first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:14). 4. (Rom. Baptism is an amazing celebration of all that Jesus has done for you, and it symbolizes new life in Him. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; Now while none of us will probably experience a baptism exactly like Jesus he was the Son of God after all we can experience his righteousness when we are saved and more of a fullness of his spirit when we are baptized. Baptism, therefore, was held up as the appropriate way to respond to the gospel. is also now saving you.1PET. They prayed and ate together daily (Acts 2:46). Another way of stating this is if you refuse to get baptized you are refusing to admit that you are a sinner. Dont you want to appeal to God for a good conscience baptism is how you make that appeal. (Read Matthew 28:19,20.) Again, you dont have to be baptized to experience the Holy Spirit, but when you walk in obedience to Jesus command to be baptized, God is overjoyed to fill you with the good gift of His Holy Spirit. Ages 0-4Jesus Storybook Bibleby Sally Lloyd-JonesThe Beginners Gospel Story Bibleby Jared Kennedy, Ages 5-6The Gospel Story Bibleby Marty MachowskiThe Biggest Storyby Kevin DeYoung, Ages 7+The One Big Story Bible(CSB)The Action Bible, Indescribableby Louie GiglioOld Story Newby Marty MachowskiLong Story Shortby Marty MachowskiWise Upby Marty MachowskiListen Upby Marty Machowski, Give Them Graceby Elyse Fitzpatrick Sacred Parentingby Gary Thomas Shepherding a Childs Heartby Tedd Tripp Parenting Beyond Your Capacityby Reggie Joiner The Village Church Parenting Class with Jeff and Jen Wilkin Parentingby Paul Tripp God, Marriage, and Familyby Andreas Kostenberger Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teensby Paul David Tripp, The Tech-wise Familyby Andy Crouch Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager in a Digital Media Worldby Art Bamford, Boundaries with Kidsby Henry Cloud and John Townsend Dont Make Me Count to Threeby Ginger Hubbard, Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager in a Digital Media World, Facilitate teaching and discussion in a way that presents the gospel and engages each student, Ensure you and your team members are effectively implementing programming, Identify and develop emerging volunteer leaders, Communicate with parents in a way that conveys the vision of Mercy Hill Students, Create a culture of community within your small group (both with leaders and students), Communicate clearly and respectfully with staff and leaders, Initiate positive interactions with students, Understand and apply Mercy Hill Students Policies and Procedures, Shoulder-tap others to join the Student Team. Thus, it is an action that none should lightly undertake. Its more explicit in a few other places in Scripture. Do I need to be rebaptized? In addition, declaring your faith in Christ is good for your faith. We can thus have a good conscience before him. They both went down into the water. Jehovah used the holy spirit to inspire the writing of the Bible, and the spirit helps us to understand and apply what we read in it. Consider what Jesus said when he gave the commission to make disciples. All you have to do is declare your faith and lean back. Jesus does call us to baptism (Matthew 28:19). But thats another conversation for another day because now were talking about how amazing Jesus saving power is that it would move us to celebrate him through baptism. 2:21) He set an example for us in devoting his life to doing Gods will.John 4:34. As well see, Christ not only commands believers to get baptized, baptism is also a gift he graciously gives for our benefit and blessing. The second issue to address, however, is whether a new believer is required to be baptized immediately. The Greek word baptizo, on which our word baptize is based, means to dip or plunge something completely into a liquid. * So your baptism lets others know that you love Jehovah your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and that you are determined to serve him forever.Mark 12:30. Because he needs to know whether he has enough money to finish the house. Take a 1-minute survey to join our mailing list and receive a free ebook in the format of your choosing. Note how baptism and faith go hand in hand. If you refuse to get baptized or want to argue about it then you are obviously not gladly receiving the word. Once you've found a church, contact the pastor and ask if he or she is willing to help you get baptized. Baptism becomes the appropriate response to the hearing (and accepting) of the gospel. 1: Baptism Is Confessing (Demonstrating Repentance of) Your Sins This doesn't mean they told John the Baptist every single sin they have ever done.