One of the most important decisions you can make on your faith journey as a Christian is to be baptized. If you have never been baptized, you may find yourself wondering “Why should I get baptized? What is the purpose of baptism?” To help you figure out the next step to take on your spiritual journey, let’s start by breaking down what exactly baptism is all about.

WHAT IS BAPTISM?

Baptism is all about going public with your faith in Jesus and communicating to the world your heartfelt commitment to following God. Baptism is a symbol of your new life in Christ. When you publicly declare your desire to live for Jesus, you show a willingness to turn away from your old life of sin and step into the life that God has for you. For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12). 

WHY GET BAPTIZED?

We get baptized simply because Jesus commands us to do so! Baptism is an act of obedience and following in Jesus’ footsteps.

Let’s look at an example from Scripture in Matthew 3:13-17 in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize him. However, John the Baptist questioned Jesus. John was confused, because he felt Jesus, who was sinless, should be baptizing John! However, Jesus shares that He needed to be baptized, as it was for the fulfillment of God’s plan.

Jesus set the example of baptism by being baptized Himself, and he has commanded us, as His followers, to be baptized and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28: 19-20, Mark 1:9). 

Baptism symbolizes our spiritual rebirth and transformation in Christ. Jesus being baptized in front of the people God called Him to save, was a powerful reminder that we are called to follow his example of baptism. When we repent of sin and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our hearts and minds undergo a profound change.  

Peter tells the crowd in Acts 2:38 that when they were baptized, they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism can be a truly transformative experience!

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO GETTING BAPTIZED?

There are a couple of steps to getting baptized. The first step is to repent for your sins. We have to acknowledge that we have sinned against God and need His forgiveness. 

The second step is to change your heart. Once we accept that God forgives us and loves us, no matter what we do if we truly are repentant, meaning we turn away from our sins and to God, then each day becomes a fresh start. A transformation starts to take place in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin but free to live a new life in Christ. Galatians 3:27 says, "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." This passage shows that we become one with Christ in a profound way when we accept his gift of grace.

Getting baptized puts the focus of our identity on being a child of God, not on the identities we find in this world. We no longer have to live in the shame of our past mistakes, because God has given us a fresh start. 

DON’T HIDE YOUR FAITH! 

In short, baptism is a significant step on your journey with Christ. It's an important act of obedience and represents your new life in Christ. Baptism can also be a powerful experience, and we pray that when you take this next step, you’ll be encouraged by God’s love and filled with faith that God is at work in your life, and has a powerful purpose for you! 

So, what are you waiting for? If baptism is the next step in your faith journey, we encourage you to go public with your faith through baptism… because Jesus went public with his love for you! To learn more about Baptism at Liquid Church or to join our Baptism Interest List, visit LiquidChurch.com/Baptism.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

For more encouragement and baptism content, we encourage you to check out these additional resources:

• MESSAGE: To watch a Liquid Church message about baptism, check out the "Change Your Life" message by clicking here.
• SPRING BAPTISM: Are you ready to go public with your faith in Jesus, letting the world know you are committed to following Him? Come & Get Baptized this Spring! To register, click here.
• ARTICLE: Are you new to reading the Bible, don't know where to start, and need help choosing the right Bible? We are here to help! To figure out your next steps to start reading, click here.