Should You Be Baptized?

If you've placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the answer is yes! But why is baptism such an important step? Why does the church make such a big deal about it?

You may hear someone compare baptism to exchanging wedding rings. A wedding ring is an outward symbol of an inward covenant. If a husband accidentally loses his wedding ring, he is still just as married as before. The ring doesn't make him married, but he gladly wears it because it tells others he belongs to his wife and has committed his life to her.

In much the same way, baptism is an outward symbol of an inward transformation. It doesn't make someone a Christian, but it publicly identifies them as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Our faith is personal, but it was never meant to be private. Baptism is God's way of publicly identifying us as followers of Jesus. Here are a few reasons every believer should take this important step of obedience.

First, you should be baptized because Jesus commanded his followers to be baptized.

Jesus Himself was baptized before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 3:16). He was not baptized because he needed forgiveness, but to identify with the Father's plan and fulfill all righteousness. Before returning to heaven, Jesus gave his church the Great Commission, commanding his followers to "make disciples... baptizing them..." (Matthew 28:19–20). When you are baptized, and the church baptizes you, both are acts of obedience to Christ.

Second, you should be baptized because you want to publicly identify with Jesus.

Trusting Christ as your Savior is the greatest decision you will ever make. When God saves you, he gives you new life and a living hope. Baptism is your opportunity to publicly declare, "I belong to Jesus." It is a testimony to your family, friends, and church that Christ has changed your life.

Third, you should be baptized because baptism beautifully pictures what Jesus has done for you.

Every baptism is a visible picture of the gospel. Going under the water reminds us of Christ's death and burial, and of our old life being buried with him. Coming up out of the water reminds us of Christ's resurrection and of the new life we have in him (Romans 6:3-4). As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and see, the new has come!" Baptism does not produce this new life; it proclaims that God has already given it to you.

Baptism is an act of obedience, not a requirement for salvation. The Bible teaches that we are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by any good work we do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism doesn't make you a Christian; it tells the world that Jesus already has.

The New Testament consistently presents baptism as the first step of obedience for those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation.

If you have trusted Christ as your Savior but have never been baptized, we'd love to help you take this important next step. Contact Pastor Jonathan Russell at jrussell@fbcmilton.org, call the church office at 850-623-3122, or simply click the link below. We would be honored to celebrate this step of obedience with you!