What is Baptism?

After a person believes in Christ, the next step is baptism. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an outward expression to your friends, family, and fellow church members of the inward decision of faith in Jesus Christ that has been made.

An outward testimony to an inward work of God.

It is identifying with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Like Christ died and was buried, a new believer dies to self. As Christ was raised from the dead, the new believer is raised to walk in a new life, a life in Christ (1 Corinthians 5:17).

Why Should We Be Baptized?

Biblically, we realize that the first step of obedience upon salvation in Christ is a believer’s baptism. In Matthew 28, the Great Commission tells us to go into all the world teaching the nations and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus commanded us to be baptized.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Baptism tells the world and the church that you are committed to a life in Christ and you desire to honor His Word and example even as a very new believer.