Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Why should I be baptized?
- Baptism symbolizes a believer’s total trust in and total reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ and is an outward expression of an inward change in your life.
- Baptism symbolizes a believer’s commitment to live obediently to God and to follow Jesus’ example. (Matthew 3:13-16)
- Baptism expresses unity with other believers (Ephesians 2:19 & Galatians 3:27-28)
- Baptism does not “save” us, but instead reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
What happens during water baptism?
- Baptism is a beautiful picture of what our Lord has done for us. As we are completely immersed in the water, we symbolize burial with our Lord; we are baptized into His death on the cross and are no longer slaves to self or sin (Romans 6:3-7).
- When we are raised out of the water, we are symbolically resurrected – raised to new life in Christ to be with Him forever, born into the family of our loving God (Romans 8:16).
- Water baptism also illustrates the spiritual cleansing we experience when we are saved; just as water cleanses the flesh, so the Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts when we trust Christ.