Occasionally, believers get into the discussion about whether water baptism is necessary or not. The point of debate is whether it has anything to do with our salvation since all we have to do is confess our sins and put our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Meanwhile, several scriptural references compellingly show us the significance of water baptism in connection to our faith in Jesus Christ. Water baptism is the process of immersing someone who has professed his or her faith in Jesus Christ in a large pool of water and bringing out the person after being completely submerged. It is an important practice in Christianity and part of the public identification process with the Body of Christ.

Baptism signifies your new life in Jesus Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. The following are some of the reasons, as seen in the scriptures, why every believer in Jesus Christ should be baptized:

Jesus’ Example

Jesus Himself was baptized in water by John the Baptist, setting an example for all believers. In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus came to John to be baptized, saying it was necessary to “fulfil all righteousness.” His baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry, symbolizing His identification with humanity’s need for repentance and righteousness. Recall that John the Baptist was preaching the message of repentance and it was those who were turning away from their sins that got baptized. If Jesus, who knew no sin, deemed it necessary to be baptized, how much should every believer who is being saved from sin go through the process of baptism?

The Great Commission

Jesus didn’t just set the example of baptism by going through it, He commands everyone who believes in Him to observe it. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This command shows that baptism is part of the process of becoming a disciple of Christ, symbolizing entrance into the Christian community. Therefore, when someone decides to undergo baptism, the individual is obeying the commandment of Jesus Christ. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” It will be bizarre to be a believer in Jesus Christ and live in disobedience to His unambiguous commandment. Baptism, being one of His commands, is an expression of love and obedience to Him.

The Apostles and the Early Church Observed Baptism

The apostles and the early church fathers observed baptism as an act of obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ to baptize anyone who believes. There are at least eight  instances of water baptism in the Acts of the Apostles. They include;

1. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41)

2. The Samaritans (Acts 8:12-13)

3. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:36-38)

4. Saul/Paul (Acts 9:17-18)

5. Cornelius and His Household (Acts 10:47-48)

6. Lydia and Her Household (Acts 16:14-15)

7. The Philippian Jailer and His Household (Acts 16:31-33)

8. The Disciples of John in Ephesus (Acts 19:3-5)

These instances in Acts demonstrate the early church’s consistent practice of water baptism as a response to faith in Jesus Christ.

Identification with Christ’s Death and Resurrection

In Romans 6:3-4, Paul explains that baptism symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Being submerged in water represents dying to sin, and coming up out of the water symbolizes being raised to new life in Christ.

Repentance and Forgiveness

In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the crowd, “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.” Baptism is associated with repentance, the forgiveness of sins, and the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Union with Christ

In Galatians 3:27, the Bible says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus and symbolizes the believer’s union with Him.

Baptism Is Connected To Salvation

In 1 Peter 3:20-21, Peter described how the family of Noah was saved through the water of the flood. Then, he went on to say, “Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you…” All of the examples of baptism listed in Acts were connected to the moment when people got saved. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” While salvation in Jesus Christ is rooted in our faith in His finished work on the cross, baptism in water is a very strong component of it.

A Clear Conscience

Also, 1 Peter 3:21 describes baptism as “an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” It is a public expression of faith and an inward appeal to God for a clear conscience, made possible by the resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism Can Open Up Other Spiritual Blessings

Matthew 3:16 says, “When He (Jesus) had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” Not only that, a voice from heaven followed that confirmed Jesus as the Son of God. One is poised to ask why the blessing of the Holy Spirit was withheld until the moment Jesus got baptized. In Acts 2:28, Peter also said that when people repent and are baptized, they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps, certain spiritual blessings cannot be accessed without baptism.

In summary, baptism is an important step of obedience, symbolizing a believer’s identification with Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and a new life in Him. It is a public declaration of faith and commitment to following Jesus. Yes, baptism doesn’t necessarily save us; faith in Jesus is what saves but you shouldn’t deliberately ignore baptism if you are saved.

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