What is Water Baptism?
Jesus said, “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…”
- Matthew 28:19 ESV
Water baptism is an identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection. When we go down into the water, we are buried in the waters of baptism, burying our old life in Jesus’ death. When we come up out of the water, we are raised to receive a new life in his resurrection by faith.
“…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.”
- Colossians 2:12 ESV
Water baptism is commanded and ordained by Jesus until he comes again to judge the living and the dead. As author and bible teacher John Piper writes, “It not just a fun climax to evangelism with everybody going their separate ways with no reference to the church. Baptism is a sacred expression of faith, a faith that unites you to Christ and his people — a particular people, in a particular church, where you can be nurtured and held accountable as the New Testament teaches.”
Why do we get water baptized?
To follow Jesus’ example when he was baptized and…
As an act of obedience to God.
Because Jesus commanded it as a spiritual act of faith.
Going into the waters of baptism is a matter of identifying with the death and the resurrection of Jesus.
It’s an opportunity to publicly declare our faith in Jesus as a witness to our friends, family, and neighbors
It connects us to the body of Christ - the church!
The early apostles, like Paul, believed and taught that to be united to Christ by faith through baptism was to be united to the universal body of Christ - what we call the church, the family of God. We believe that local churches are the presence of Christ’s body and family on the earth. Therefore, to be a Christian is to belong to a local church. It’s biblically right and good for you to do so!
Ready to be water baptized?