Brethren, hear me well: Baptism is not a ritual for the religious. It is not a polite church tradition for the sentimental. It is a divine command. It is the appointed doorway where faith steps out of the shadows and publicly declares allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. When a soul goes down into that water, heaven and hell both take notice.
Baptism is not man’s idea – it is God’s witness. The same God who spoke light into darkness has commanded, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you.” The same Spirit that descended upon Jesus in Jordan now bears witness in every obedient believer. It is the burial of the old life, the birth of the new, the seal of repentance, and the statement of faith.
And yet, how many sit on the fence? How many say they believe, but will not obey? How many claim to love Christ but avoid His command? Friend, delayed obedience is disobedience. The water still waits. The Spirit still calls. The only question that remains is – what hinders you from being baptized?
15 Reasons Why You Should Get Baptized
1. Baptism Is Confessing Your Sins Before God
Baptism itself is a confession – not a recital of every wrong, but a surrendering acknowledgment: I am a sinner in need of cleansing. To refuse baptism is to refuse to admit you need washing.
“And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Matthew 3:6)
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4)
The water is not magic – it’s a mirror. It reflects your repentance and your readiness to walk in newness of life.
2. Jesus Got Baptized
Jesus, who had no sin, stepped into the water to “fulfill all righteousness.” If He, the Son of God, humbled Himself to obey, how can we justify refusing?
“Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15) When He rose from the water, the Spirit descended like a dove. The pattern was set: born of water and of Spirit.
3. Baptism Is Part of the Great Commission
Christ didn’t make baptism a footnote. He made it a command. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19) If the Lord said it, we have no authority to water it down.
4. Believing and Being Baptized Go Together
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)
Belief without obedience is empty. If you truly believe, you’ll do what He said. Faith and baptism are not rivals – they are partners in the same confession.
5. Baptism Justifies God
When you step into the water, you are saying to heaven and earth, “God’s way is right.” “And all the people… justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” (Luke 7:29)
To refuse baptism is to say, “God’s counsel doesn’t apply to me.” That’s not faith – that’s pride.
6. Refusing Baptism Rejects God’s Counsel
The Pharisees did it, and they missed their moment.
“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 7:30)
Every person who delays obedience walks the same dangerous line – rejecting the very plan God designed to mark repentance and new life.
7. Jesus’ Disciples Baptized More Than John
“Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” (John 4:1–2)
That tells us something. If baptism was not essential, why would the Lord’s own followers do more of it than the prophet who came before Him? True disciples follow their Master’s example.
8. “Be Baptized Every One of You”
Peter didn’t say some of you, or those who feel ready. He said “every one of you.”
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you… and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
The command is clear, the promise is sure, and the power is available.
9. Those Who Gladly Receive the Word Are Baptized
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)
A glad heart obeys quickly. If you resist baptism, check your heart. True joy in the Word produces obedience to the Word.
10. “What Doth Hinder Me to Be Baptized?”
The Ethiopian eunuch saw water and said, “What doth hinder me?”
“If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” (Acts 8:36–37)
Philip didn’t hand him a form or a waiting period. Faith was the only requirement. They both went down into the water, and that man rose forgiven and free.
11. You Should Be Baptized Immediately
Scripture never shows a delay between belief and baptism. When Paul believed, “he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18)
When the jailer believed, “he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:33)
The longer you wait, the colder the conviction grows. Obey while the Spirit calls.
12. Baptism Was Commanded by Peter
“Can any man forbid water?” (Acts 10:47)
If Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, commanded baptism, who are we to forbid it? Some modern preachers treat baptism as optional – but Peter saw it as obedience’s natural response.
13. Baptism Connects You to Christ’s Death
How does Christ’s death on the cross reach into your life today? Through obedience.
“So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.” (Romans 6:3)
When you go down into the water, you identify with His death – when you rise, you walk in His life.
14. Baptism Buries the Old Life
“Buried with him in baptism… risen with him through the faith of the operation of God.” (Colossians 2:12)
Your past dies in the water. Your sins stay buried. You don’t drag your old life with you – you leave it behind in that watery grave.
15. Baptism Is the Answer of a Good Conscience Toward God
“Baptism doth also now save us… the answer of a good conscience toward God.” (1 Peter 3:21)
It’s not about washing dirt – it’s about washing guilt. It’s your public “Yes, Lord” to His cleansing.
Baptism Is Not a Work – It’s a Surrender
Some call baptism a “work.” That’s foolishness. There’s no boasting in baptism – you don’t perform, you submit. You go down helpless and come up cleansed. That’s not labor. That’s grace.
To refuse baptism is to cling to the very burden Christ died to lift. You carry the guilt, the conscience, the old life He meant to bury. Friend, why carry what Christ invites you to drown?
Final Call: What Hinders You?
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, then nothing stands in your way. The water still waits. The Spirit still calls. Heaven still rejoices over one sinner who repents.
Arise, and be baptized. Wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
