Why Should I Get Baptized?
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Introduction
Introduction
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us in person for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that typically we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
We are currently doing that through the NT book of Acts. However, today we are taking a break from Acts as we focus on the importance of baptism today.
Now the truth is, baptism tends to be a touchy subject for a lot of people. And it’s touchy because depending on how you were raised, people tend to have differing views on what baptism is, why we get baptized, and when a person should get baptized.
For example, if you were raised Catholic or Lutheran, baptism is something that takes place as an infant and is always done by sprinkling.
However, if you were raised in an Evangelical or Pentecostal church, baptism is something that takes place as an adult and is always done through full body immersion in water.
As a result, baptism tends to be a touchy subject among many church goers.
That being the case, before we get to our baptisms today, I thought it would be helpful if we set tradition and denominational association aside, and for the next few moments look at what the Bible has to say about baptism.
Because I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to be baptized, I want to make sure that my view and understanding of baptism is based on a Biblical foundation. Because at the end of the day, I’m more concerned about what God’s Word says about baptism than any church or denomination.
So, in order to help us determine what the Bible has to say about baptism, for the next few moments, we’re going to ask and some questions surrounding baptism. Questions the Bible has answers for. And questions when answered I believe will give us a greater understanding of what Biblical baptism is, why it’s important, and when we should do it.
So, to get us started, let’s start with the most basic question.
Question #1 - What is Biblical Baptism?
Well, to help us get a better grasp on what it is, I want take a few minutes and look at a Biblical example of what water baptism is and what it represents. In fact, it’s the first Biblical example we see in the NT through the ministry of a man named John the Baptist.
If you’re not familiar with John the Baptist, John the Baptist was Jesus’s cousin and the one that God had appointed to go before Jesus in order to prepare the way for Jesus’s ministry. The Gospel of Matthew puts it like this:
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
In this passage Matthew begins by introducing us to John the Baptist. And in doing so he gives us several details concerning John’s ministry.
First, he says he came preaching a message of repentance. So, “What does that mean?”
It means that John came with a message that challenged people to rethink the way they were living. To challenge them to turn from sinful living. A message that was meant to encourage them to put their hope in the promised Messiah. Which is what John was preaching about. And we know that because of the quote Matthew gives from the prophet Isaiah. A prophecy that points to John as the one who will introduce the people to the promised Messiah.
And apparently people were receiving the message, because Matthew says as John preached, people were confessing their sins and repenting.
Which leads to a second detail concerning John’s ministry. Because Matthew goes on to tell us, as John preached repentance and prepared people for the coming Messiah, the people confessed their sin and then they were baptized.
So, a great question would be, “Why were they baptized?”
Well, Matthew tells us, because down in verse 11 he quotes John the Baptist as John states his purpose for baptizing. Look at what he says in the beginning of verse 11:
“I baptize you with water for repentance...” Matthew 3:11a
John says his purpose for baptizing them with water was for repentance.
So, what does that mean? Does it mean that by baptizing them with water that they are now clean from sin? Is that what that means? That by getting baptized the sin in their life had been washed away?
On the surface it may imply that, but if you study the Greek and the context of the passage, what you’ll discover is that the baptism in water wasn’t about getting rid of sin, but about symbolic identity.
In other words, when a person repented and put their hope in the coming Messiah, John’s baptism was the symbolic action that signified identity with that decision.
Think of it like this. If you become a die hard Kansas City Chiefs fan, which I know many of you are, how do you go about displaying your identity as a Chiefs fan? In other words, how will people know you are a Chiefs fan?
Well, you could probably tell them, but if you really wanted to solidify that you were a Chiefs fan, you’d probably where some kind of Chiefs gear, right? Like a t-shirt or a jersey. Something like that. And in doing so you would be sending a clear message to those around you that you identify as a Chiefs fan.
It’s the same with John’s baptism. By getting baptized, the person was symbolically identifying with John’s message and their acceptance of it.
And again, we know this to be the case based on what John goes on to say. Because listen to what he says next:
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
In this passage John acknowledges that his baptism is only symbolic, that it does nothing to actually save or make a person clean from sin. How do we know? We know because he now points to somebody who can do that. Somebody with the power to do a greater work. Somebody who will baptize them from the inside out with the Holy Spirit. Somebody with the power to actually wash away their sins. Who is that somebody? It’s the coming Messiah.
So, who is this coming Messiah? John the Baptist puts a name to this person in the Gospel of John. Look at what he says:
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John the Baptist says Jesus is the one with the power to take away sin. Jesus is the one with the power to actually wash us clean.
All that to say, when John baptizes, his purpose isn’t to remove sin, but to point people to the one who can save them from their sin. That person being Jesus. And by being baptized, they are identifying with that hope and with that belief.
Which means John’s baptism is about Jesus. It’s about Jesus’s future work on the cross. It’s about Jesus’s ability to transform us from the inside out. Which leads us to what a definition of Biblical Baptism is:
Baptism Definition - Biblical Baptism is the symbolic declaration of our identification with Jesus.
In other words, when a person puts their faith in Jesus and experiences salvation, baptism is the symbolic declaration of that decision.
Which means, Baptism is your jersey. Baptism is what let’s everybody know that you are a Christ follower. Baptism is the symbolic demonstration of the transformational work Jesus has done on the inside of you.
Now, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, but that’s just one instance. That can’t always be the case.”
But it is. Because if you read through the NT, every time a person puts their faith in Jesus, the next thing they do is get baptized in order to identify with that decision.
For example, in Acts 8, when Philip the evangelist led an Ethiopian Eunuch to Jesus, guess what happened next. Let’s find out:
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
We see another example in Acts 10 as Peter leads Cornelius and his family to faith in Jesus. Look at how Luke records it:
47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Luke says following their faith in Jesus, Peter ordered that they be baptized. In other words, in Peter’s mind, this was the next logical step as they symbolically identified with their decision to follow Jesus.
And we could go on because there is example after example of this in the NT. Because at the end of the day, baptism is the symbolic declaration of a person’s identify and faith in Jesus.
Which leads us to another question that is often asked:
Question #2 - Are Biblical Baptism and Infant Baptism The Same Thing?
The answer to that is no. And I base that answer off of a couple of Biblical reasons:
Reason #1 - Biblical baptism always follows a decision to follow Jesus.
We just saw this in the passages from Acts as people who put their faith in Jesus were baptized following their faith in Jesus.
What that means then is, baptism is a conscience decision a person makes after putting their faith in Jesus, which is something an infant can’t decide for themselves.
Now, does that discount the importance of Infant Baptism. Of course not. I think infant baptism is a great way for parents or a family to dedicate their child to God. In fact, I was infant baptized in the Catholic church, and I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful that from the beginning of my life my parents were committed to helping me know God.
But at some point I had to make that decision for myself. I had to own my own decision to follow Jesus. Which is something I did later in life as I made a decision to follow Jesus, which then led me to the decision to be baptized in order to declare my faith and identify with Jesus.
So, that’s the first reason the two are not the same. Which leads us to the second Biblical fact:
Reason #2 - Biblical Baptism always takes places through full immersion.
The reality is, whenever you see a baptism in the NT, it is always by full immersion baptism. And we know this based on three facts:
First, the word translated “baptism” comes from the Greek word “Batpizo”, which literally means to dip or fully immerse.
For example, several years ago archeologist found a pickle recipe from the 1st century. As part of the instructions, the pickle was to be “baptizo” in the water/vinegar solution.
Second, in the 1st century, baptism by full immersion was a common practice among Jewish people for ritualistic purification.
Third, when John was baptizing in the water, he was fully submerging those being baptized in the Jordan river.
All that to say, Biblical baptism not only follows faith in Jesus, but it’s always done by full submersion.
This leads us to a third reason that infant baptism and Biblical baptism are not the same.
Reason #3 - Biblical Baptism doesn’t save or add to a person’s salvation.
This is probably going to be the most controversial reason. Because if we look at the Biblical pattern for baptism, what we’ll discover is that while it’s attached to salvation, it does nothing to save or make a person right with God.
Why doesn’t it? Because according to the Bible, the only thing that makes a person right with God is faith in Jesus, that’s it. Paul puts it like this:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Paul says salvation comes through faith in Jesus and not by works. Which means, baptism isn’t something that saves you.
Which is what makes it completely different than infant baptism. Because according to Catholic doctrine, infant baptism is necessary for salvation. The Catholic Church states it like this:
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.’” Catechism of the Catholic Church [1213]
So, that’s what the Catholic Church teaches. That infant baptism is what initiates salvation and allows a child or person to be freed from sin and reborn as a son of God.
But here’s the problem with that. The Bible doesn’t teach that or say that. So, what does it say?
Here are a few things the Bible says, this one from the mouth of Jesus himself:
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Notice what Jesus says. He says He’s the door to salvation, not baptism.
The question then is, “How do you go through that door?”
The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 3 where he writes:
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
And then in Romans 10 he says this:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul says what makes us sons of god is our confessions of faith in Jesus. Not our baptism. Not our good works. Not our church attendance. Not our church affiliation. But our faith in Jesus.
Now, I know by pointing this out I’m taking the chance of offending a lot of people who have put their hope in infant baptism. And if that’s you, then here’s some questions I would challenge you with.
If salvation comes by baptism, then:
Why didn’t Jesus baptize anyone? Because according to John 4, Jesus didn’t baptize anyone.
Why did Jesus tell the repentant thief on the cross, who was never baptized, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)?
Why did Cornelius and those who were with him receive the Holy Spirit before they were baptized (Acts 10:44-48)?
Why did Paul say, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17)?
Why is baptism left out of so many verses explaining salvation, such as “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16)?
And finally, if salvation comes by infant baptism, why is there not one verse in the Bible that would point to infant baptism, because there is not one.
Again, I’m not trying to upset anyone or devalue your spiritual heritage, I’m simply trying to show you what the Bible actually says about baptism. And what it says is that it follows salvation, it’s done by full submersion, and that it doesn’t save you. Because only faith in Jesus can do that.
Some might ask then, “Ok pastor, then why get baptized at all? I mean if faith in Jesus is all you need, then why go through any baptism process?”
That’s a great question, and I’ll answer it by pointing to another baptism example. Maybe the greatest example of them all. It’s found in Matthew 3. Check this out:
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 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; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In this passage Matthew describes the baptism of Jesus, and in doing so he points out three reasons we need to follow through with Biblical baptism:
Reason #1 - I should get baptized in order to identify with Jesus.
This goes back to what we talked about with John’s baptism. That by getting baptized we are symbolically identifying with our faith in Jesus. And what we see in Jesus’ baptism is further conformation of this.
And we know this based on what Jesus says to John when John questions Jesus getting baptized. Look again at what Jesus says:
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
Jesus says the reason he needs to get baptized is to fulfill all righteousness. So, what does that mean?
It means that Jesus is committed to completing everything that forms part of a relationship with God. Which means, by falling through with the act of baptism, Jesus is identifying with John’s message.
In other words, by getting baptized Jesus is saying, “John is write in what he says about Me. I am the way to salvation. I am the one who takes away the sins of the world.”
So, in a way, Jesus is putting on his own jersey.
So, by getting baptized, you are symbolically confirming that your hope is in Jesus.
Reason #2 - I should get baptized in order to publicly testify to my faith in Jesus.
The fact is, when you get baptized, you are making a statement. And the statement is, “I am now a follower of Jesus Christ”.
And what a statement that is, because in that moment you are declaring to the world that you are forever changed. That you are no longer the person you used to be. That Jesus has compeltely transformed your life. In that moment you are proclaiming that you have been born again.
And what a testimony that is to anybody who has ever known you. Which is why we do the baptism testimony videos. Because when we share our testimony, when we share what God has done in our lives, we become a living testimony of his salvation power and his ability to literally change us into a different person.
This is partly what Jesus was doing as he allowed John to baptize Him. Because by getting baptized Jesus was proclaiming and testifying to the new life that God now offers us through faith in Him.
And guess what, his testimony pleased His Father. Because Matthew goes on to write:
16 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; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew says as Jesus came up out of the water, God put his stamp of approval on Jesus’s testimony. Which means, when you get baptized, and when you come up out of the water, you become a living testimony that God is well pleased with. A testimony of God’s redeeming work through faith in Jesus. A testimony that may lead others to faith in Jesus.
Which leads us to the final reason we should get baptized, and maybe the most definitive reason.
Reason #3 - I should get baptized because it’s my first step of obedience.
As we said earlier, while baptism wont’ save you, it is something that Jesus commands us to do. We see this in Matthew 28 right before Jesus ascends up into heaven. Look at what Jesus says to His disciples:
19 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,
This statement by Jesus is often referred to as “The Great Commission”. And it’s called that because this is the ultimate mission that Jesus has given to us. The number one priority we are to have. To go and make disciples. And because it’s so important, Jesus actually commands that we do it. And we know this because the word “go” here is in the command form.
In other words, making disciples isn’t a suggestion or something to think about, it’s something Jesus commands us to do.
The question the is, “How do you make a disciple?”
Well, first you have to go and tell them about Jesus. Second you have to lead them to faith in Jesus. And then according to Jesus, you baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What that means then is, baptism isn’t something to think about or pray about, it’s something that God requires of those who put their faith in Jesus.
The question then is, “Why would God require baptism?”
He requires it because it’s our first act of obedience. It’s the first thing He asks us to do as we begin our relationship with Him.
And what it does from the outset is it determines whether we are truly making Him Lord or not. If our lives are actually committed to following Him and doing what He asks us to do or not. Because if we’re not willing to be baptized, then why would we do anything God would ask us to do.
I mean if we won’t get baptized:
Why would we tithe?
Why would we seek to lead people to faith?
Why would we give up sinful habits?
I mean why would we do anything God asks us to do if we’re not willing to do the first thing He asks us to do?
And to be honest, I think that’s a challenge for a lot of people. Because the fact is, nobody likes to be told what to do.
That’s true, right? I think masks have proven that, don’t you.
So, while baptism isn’t required to be saved, it is required if we want to follow Jesus. Why? Because it’s the first command He gives us.
And the good news is, when we are obedient to what the Lord asks us to do, it opens up the door of blessing in our life. It allows the Lord to begin to work through us in new ways.
We see this with Jesus, who after being obedient, received blessing from the Father. Which then opened the door for all that Jesus would do from that point forward.
Because following Jesus’s baptism, His life would never be the same again, and would ultimately lead to God’s plan and purpose for His life. A plan that would lead to his death and resurrection. A plan that then opened the door for you and I to be saved.
That being said, today we are going to celebrate what God has done and is doing in the lives of those who are being baptized. Today we are going to celebrate Jesus through the waters of baptism.
Would you pray with me!