Be Baptized
What is Biblical baptism?
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Baptism is a powerful and symbolic act that represents a person's decision to follow Jesus Christ. It’s a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as well as the new life salvation brings. Through baptism, believers identify with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, and publicly proclaim their commitment to live for Him.
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Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..."
The Outward Expression of
an Inward Decision
Baptism is Identification with Jesus
Baptism is an outward, public declaration of our inward commitment to Christ. Much like a wedding ring symbolizes a commitment between a husband and a wife, baptism makes a visual statement that says, “I’m following Jesus Christ and I want everyone to know it.”
Baptism is a Picture of Jesus' Sacrifice
It is a picture of what takes place at the time of salvation – being cleansed and having our sins washed away. It says, “I have died to my old life (going under the water) and I am alive to new life in Christ (coming out of the water).
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"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" —Romans 6:4-5
Baptism is a Step of Obedience
In the Bible, as people came to faith in Christ they were baptized. The sequence of events is the same throughout the scriptures; first people profess faith in Jesus Christ and then they are baptized. It is called Believer’s baptism, a baptism that happens after one becomes a believer in Jesus Christ.
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And Jesus came and said to them, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” —Matthew 28:18-20
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Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience to him. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. At Bible Baptist Church, we practice baptism by immersion (putting under the water) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the way that Jesus instructed in Matthew 28:19) because we believe that it is the best picture of spiritual death, burial and resurrection and because it is the type of baptism that Jesus modeled for us when he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:13-17 and Mark 1:9-11).
