what is baptism and why should we get baptized?

defining what is baptism.

As we get older and time comes around 16 all of our friends start getting baptized and maybe your parents tell you that you need to start thinking of getting baptized, but you don’t know why and why is it important well hopefully today i can make it clear “Why should we get baptized.”

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Русский Синодальный Перевод (1876/1956) Глава 28

И приблизившись Иисус сказал им: дана Мне всякая власть на небе и на земле.

19 Итак идите, научите все народы, крестя их во имя Отца и Сына и Святаго Духа,

20 уча их соблюдать все, что Я повелел вам; и се, Я с вами во все дни до скончания века. Аминь.

What is baptism?

Before we jump into the text let’s understand what the word baptism means.

in greek the word baptism is baptizo which means to dip or окунать in russian. A very simple word.

We know what the word means, but what does the act mean?

it is a symbol, but not just a symbol God is at work here. it is a public proclamation in the faith of Jesus Christ.

when we are dipped into the water thats our burial and funeral of our old life. when we are picked up that is our resurrection into our new life our life of full promise to live with a good conscience towards God.

Colossians 2:11–12 “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

We can think of it like this, someone is playing hockey for a team. this team has a jersey with numbers on it, your last name, and the team you are playing for. that is his team thats who he fights for and doesn’t let them down thats who he is in a way.

свитер Джерси

When we are baptized we put on this jersey and now we are on team Jesus. thats who we are and who we fight for till the end of our days.

Now back to it not just being a symbol, but also like a seal of our faith. like a stamp or a contract being signed that we are His now. in russian seal is “печать.”

мы заклучили завет с Богом.

Example: in china and other countries where persecution exists.

we don’t say that baptism saves just because you got baptized, but it seals your salvation in the sense that its public. thats why when you will stand up infront of the church throughout testing and they will ask you if God comes right now will you be saved? and if you are born again meaning you repented from your sins turned 180 degrees to Christ changed your mind on living for the world but now devoting yourself to Christ you are saved.

Example of the queen becoming queen.

Новый монарх становится королём или королевой сразу после смерти предыдущего монарха. Это происходит автоматически. Затем Совет о престолонаследии официально провозглашает нового монарха. Позже проходит коронация, но это только церемония — фактически монарх уже правит до неё.

When the queen or king dies the next queen or king take the monarchy and are king or queen, but the coronation when they officially become king or queen is months later.

same as baptism you are already saved once you repent and believe, but baptism seals your faith which puts a stamp on it.

Now why get baptized?

simply put To obey Jesus Christ.

in Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Teaching them to observe all that i have commanded you. Serving God with a good and faithful conscience.

1 Peter 3:21 “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Following what Jesus told us and following Him and what he preached. Serving God and giving your life to Him. Producing good fruit. since we are not saved by good works but for good works. To be a service to the church and the body of Jesus Christ.

Also to Join the Family of the Father, Body of the Son, Temple of the Holy Spirit. ie the church. think of it like this baptism is like the door to the church. not as just the building, but the members in that building which is the church.

It is to join this body to be united with the church of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13–14 “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”

To step from “world” to “church.”

Don’t wait long to get baptized or make that move, the early church didn’t wait neither should you. if you know that you are a sinner and haven’t repented then repent before God turn from evil and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. to then be baptized.

<AMEN>