Baptism Celebration

Acts 8:38-39

A pastor was once asked by a new Christian, “Pastor, I have accepted Christ as my Savior. Why is it important for me to get dunked in front of a lot of people?” The answer to that question starts with the meaning of the word baptism. The Greek word, baptizo, literally means dip, plunge, or immerse.

As we look in our New Testaments, the first baptism’s recorded were done by John the Baptist, who God sent to prepare the way for Jesus. John’s baptism was an indication of repentance. Jesus came to give us a spiritual baptism, an immersion in the Holy Spirit, bringing the power of a new life. Jesus came to John, though, wanting to be baptized even though he did not need to repent and really did not need to be baptized. He came and requested it, though, to set an example for us to follow. Jesus knew that he would call the ones that believed in him to be baptized, so he wanted to show them that it was important to him as well.

Why is it so important that we be baptized as Christians? I think there are at least three reasons. First, it gives us the opportunity to publicly declare the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as the way that we have been delivered from sin. That is why we, as Baptists, offer baptism only for believers. Baptism symbolically presents the simple message of the gospel, that Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised from the dead.

Water baptism also symbolizes the spiritual baptism that we receive at the moment of the new birth, when the spirit comes into our hearts and lives, as well as uniting us with a local church.

So, let’s think back to the question the little girl asked the preacher, “Is it important for me to be baptized?” I believe the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Jesus willingly endured the shame and agony of public crucifixion for us, we should gladly identify with him in the ordinance of baptism.