salt springs christian church

Why baptism

Christian baptism uses water by immersion, to symbolize purification, forgiveness of sins, and a person's union with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It serves as a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus. 

Scripture makes clear references to baptism, why we get baptized, and what the purpose is. 

What does it mean to be baptized?

Baptism is a symbolic way of outwardly showing that a person has decided to walk with Jesus Christ and plans to walk with Him all the days of their life. References from the New Testament show that it is to be a public celebration and includes being immersed into a body or pool of water. (Matthew 3:6, Luke 3:16) 

Christian baptism is a public profession of faith and discipleship. In the waters of baptism, a person says, wordlessly, “I confess faith in Christ; Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification.”

Christian baptism illustrates, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and new life in Christ. As a sinner confesses the Lord Jesus, he dies to sin (Romans 6:11) and is raised to a brand-new life (Colossians 2:12). Being submerged in the water represents death to sin, and emerging from the water represents the cleansed, holy life that follows salvation. Romans 6:4 puts it this way: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Why do people get baptized?

When a person decides to follow Christ, baptism is one of the most powerful ways to declare your faith and love for Jesus Christ. It is a celebration of new life and new possibilities, where all the sins and baggage we carry are washed away by the grace of God.

Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. Just before His ascension, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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 28:19–20).

Being baptized is also about bringing oneself to do the Lord’s will and our commitment to staying on the path He has set us.

Key Scriptures About Baptism:

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22:16)

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

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 (Matthew 28:19)

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22).

Key Points About Baptism:

• Spiritual Cleansing: Water represents the washing away of past sins and a spiritual rebirth.

• Union with Christ: Being submerged in or washed with water represents "dying" to an old way of life and "rising" to new life in Christ.

• Public Declaration: It is an outward expression of an inward change, marking the believer's entrance into the global Christian church.

• Obedience: Christians practice it in obedience to Jesus’s final command to his disciples to baptize followers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Is baptism necessary for salvation?

In scripture, baptism follows belief, and it is the belief in Jesus Christ and confession of our sins that brings salvation through God’s grace. And though we are called to get baptized, it is not this act alone that brings us salvation.  The thief on the cross was not baptized, but he was saved. When being baptized, there is nothing holy about the water, river or baptizer. It is God’s grace alone that can save.

I was baptized as an infant, should I get baptized again?

Many of us have been baptized or christened as an infant and wonder if we need to be baptized again.  It’s understandable to experience some confusion when confronted with the idea of adult baptism by immersion if that was not a part of your upbringing.

Again, the New Testament shows us that baptism follows belief, so it is an active decision made in sound mind.  As infants, we aren’t capable of making the choice to be baptized.  So, it makes sense to follow Christ and be baptized again, which is exactly what many people do.

How do I get baptized?

Many people say "baptism is an outward declaration of an inward change". If you have made a decision to follow Christ, this action shows that you’ve turned from your old life of sin and are taking the next step to publicly declare your new life in Christ.

Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public profession of faith and discipleship. In the waters of baptism, a person says, wordlessly, “I confess faith in Christ; Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification.

When Should I get baptized?

A new believer in Jesus Christ should desire to be baptized as soon as possible. In Acts 8 Philip speaks “the good news about Jesus” to the Ethiopian eunuch, and, “as they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’” (verses 35–36). Right away, they stopped the chariot, and Philip baptized the man. In most instances today, an immediate baptism after salvation is not feasible. Still, a new believer should seek water baptism at the earliest possible opportunity. Talk to us as soon as possible about scheduling your baptism.

Baptism is to be done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—this is what makes it “Christian” baptism. When we are saved, we are “baptized” by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, which is the universal church. First Corinthians 12:13 says, “We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” Baptism by water, what is normally meant by the term Christian baptism, is a “reenactment” of the baptism by the Spirit.

IF YOU'RE READY TO BE BAPTIZED, PLEASE SEE AN ELDER, PASTOR ALAN, OR CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 352-685-2779, Monday-Friday, between 9am - 11am or leave a message anytime.