Baptism is way more important than modern-day preachers teach and in fact, many of the things said about baptism are totally contrary to what the Bible teaches.
Also, while not covered in any detail in this study when I use the word baptism it refers to going fully under the water – therefore full immersion baptism by someone who is old enough to believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
So let’s see why the Bible says baptism is important…
1: Baptism Is Confessing (Demonstrating Repentance of) Your Sins
This doesn’t mean they told John the Baptist every single sin they have ever done. The very fact they got baptized was confessing their sins.
Another way of stating this is if you refuse to get baptized you are refusing to admit that you are a sinner.
- And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mt 3:6)
- John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mar 1:4)
- And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mar 1:5)
- And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Lk 3:3)
- When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (Acts 13:24)
2: Jesus Got Baptized
Jesus was sinless yet he showed by example that we should be baptized. If Jesus got baptized why shouldn’t you?
When speaking to John the Baptist he said, It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
Water baptism and Holy Ghost baptism are involved in the fulfillment of all righteousness. John chapter 3 uses the term born again, you MUST be born of the water and Spirit.
If you read through the book of Acts you will clearly see the combination of water baptism and Holy Spirit.
- And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. (Mt 3:16)
- But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. (Mt 3:11)
- I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mar 1:8)
3: Baptism Is Part Of The Great Commission
Modern-day religion seems to go to great lengths to say baptism isn’t essential. If that’s the case then why did Jesus give us instructions to baptize people?
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
4: He That Believes AND Is Baptized Shall Be Saved
I have seen so many arguments of people saying this verse doesn’t mean AND. They say, ‘See… the second part of the verse only says those who don’t believe will be damned – not those who are not baptized”
My goodness… The whole point is believers get baptized. Isn’t it glaringly obvious that if someone doesn’t believe they are not going to get baptized?
What a ludicrous argument. The fact is if you don’t get baptized it doesn’t matter how much bleating comes out of your mouth protesting the contrary you are clearly demonstrating that you don’t believe.
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mar 16:16)
5: You Justify God By Being Baptized
Other Bible versions say that when you get baptized you… Acknowledged that God’s way was right, declared God just, acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, and acknowledged God’s justice.
- And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. (Lk 7:29)
It is important to itemize what you are doing when you get baptized:
- You are justifying God
- You are acknowledging that God’s way is right
- You are declaring God just
- You are acknowledging God’s way of righteousness
- You acknowledge God’s justice.
If you refuse water baptism you are doing the opposite to the items mentioned above. You are declaring openly your contempt for God’s ways, his justice, and his righteousness. Just like the following people did…
6: Refusing Baptism Is Rejecting The Counsel Of God
Look how serious baptism is. They who refuse to be baptized in this scripture passage were the religious leaders and it just so happens that modern-day Christian religious leaders seem to be leading the charge against the necessity of baptism.
They are rejecting the counsel of God. Can you think of anything more serious than that?
- But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (Lk 7:30)
Other translations use terms such as:
- They have rejected God’s plan for them
- Rejected God’s purpose for themselves
Don’t be foolish enough to reject the counsel of God and refuse his plan/purpose for you.
7: Jesus Disciples Baptized More People Than John The Baptist
Jesus was with his disciples as they baptized people. In fact, they baptized MORE people than the disciples of John. Once again if baptism is not important why were Jesus and his disciples baptizing so many people?
Also, disciple means followers. If you want to be a disciple/follower of Jesus you obviously need to follow – refusing baptism is not following.
- After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (Jn 3:22)
- When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples) (Jn 4:1-2)
8: Be Baptized Everyone Of You
Peter couldn’t be clearer when he was asked – “What shall we do?” and as part of his instructions, he said, “be baptized EVERY ONE YOU”.
Hardly the optional extra, or if you feel like it instructions you will get from modern leaders.
- Then Peter said unto them, 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. (Acts 2:38)
9: They That Gladly Receive The Word Get Baptized
If you refuse to get baptized or want to argue about it then you are obviously not gladly receiving the word. You are not willing to receive his word and you refuse to accept his word.
Gladly means gladly, with pleasure, with joy. Other translations use: They that received his word were baptized. Those who accepted his message were baptized
- Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
- But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
- And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)
10: What Is Stopping You From Being Baptized?
The eunuch said to Philip – “See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized?”
- And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:36-37)
- And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38)
- First of all, it is clear that when Philip was preaching the gospel to this man he obviously spoke about water baptism otherwise why would the eunuch even ask? So water baptism was always preached as part of the gospel and was the expected action to be taken by an individual who believed.
- They both went down into the water. Baptism was always by full immersion.
- So… what is preventing you from being baptized? Do you have to pass a test as some religions do? Is it door knocking so many houses first as some religions do? No… If you believe you may get baptized – IMMEDIATELY.
- The eunuch said “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” – on that declaration Philip reached for the handbrake and brought the chariot to a screaming stop and baptized him. That’s it – simplicity!
11: You Should Be Baptized As Soon As Possible
You will constantly see through the book of Acts that people were baptized immediately, the same hour, or straightway.
In fact, Ananias said to Paul… Why Wait? Arise, and be baptized?
- And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9:18)
- And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. (Acts 16:33)
- And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)
12: Peter Commanded Baptism
Now, who are you going to listen to? Someone like Peter who was there with Jesus who was instrumental in the leadership of the early church or some Johnny Come Lately preacher?
Peter commanded baptism and that’s way different to Preacher Johnny Come Lately – however, I have even heard modern-day preachers state that Peter didn’t understand and Paul came along later and taught him differently.
Do you believe that? Don’t listen to these people… Listen to Peter.
- Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:47)
13: Baptism Is How You Connect To Jesus Death
Did Jesus die for you? How does his death almost 2000 years ago have any effect today?
Water baptism connects us to his death and receiving the Holy Spirit connects us to his resurrection.
- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Rom 6:3)
- Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)
14: Baptism Is The Burial Of Our Old Life
The whole reason we need to come to the Lord is that we have been living a life that is sinful.
We have all fallen short and unless we are born again we can not enter the Kingdom of God.
We have to die. The wages of sin is death and we can die now in the waters of baptism – our old man is crucified and we a buried with Christ.
Don’t you see how this ties in with the grace of God?
The religious leaders refused to get baptized and the Bible says they have rejected God’s plan for them.
We are guilty and worthy of the death penalty and baptism is how you can die yet live.
- Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Col 2:12)
15: Baptism Is The Answer Of A Good Conscience Toward God
Now who in their right mind wouldn’t want to have a good conscience toward God? Other translations say a clear conscience, clean conscience, or an appeal to God for a good conscience.
Don’t you want to appeal to God for a good conscience – baptism is how you make that appeal.
- The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Pet 3:21)
Baptism Is Not A Work
One of my pet peeves is that modern preachers say baptism is a work and nothing can be further from the truth, what a distortion of the word of God.
Work is something you can boost in.
Have you ever seen anyone boost how brilliant they were when they got baptized?
Of course not! There is nothing that involves works in baptism.
It is so humbling to be in that water. You totally surrender – again where is the work?
You are asked if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and died for your sins, and rose again for the justification of your sins.
How is that work?
If that’s work then so is repeating the so-called sinner’s prayer!
Someone else even baptizes you – so again where is your work in that?
It is the answer to a good conscience – so if you refuse to get baptized does that mean you are holding onto your bad conscience?
There is a lot more work involved in refusing to be baptized.
Not burying your old life is more work – who wants to carry all that old baggage around?
Walking around with a bad conscience is more work then having a good conscience towards God.
Baptism is confessing your sins, it is an outward action of your repentance. There is more work involved in holding onto your sins and not repenting.
In summary, what does hinder you from being baptized?
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God then you qualify – it’s time to be baptized.
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