Faith in Practice: Baptism
If I accepted Christ into my heart, why should I be baptized? Is baptism really necessary?
Why Get Baptized?
The greatest decision anyone can make is choosing to follow Jesus Christ. Baptism is one of the first and most powerful steps a believer can take in their journey of faith. When a person is baptized, they are making a public declaration that they have decided to follow Christ and live in the new life He offers. Essentially, it is an outward expression of an inward transformation, a visible testimony of an invisible work of grace.
Baptism itself does not save a person; salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. However, baptism is a beautiful symbol of what God has already done in the believer’s heart. It paints a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and it signifies that the believer has died to their old life of sin and has been raised to walk in the newness of life.
As the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:12 (CSB):
“When you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Moreover, Pastor Gregg explains that baptism symbolizes a “U-turn.” He says, “So, the people… aren’t becoming Christians through baptism. Instead, they’re showing publicly that they already are Christians, that they’ve placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. In the Old Testament, things looked a bit different. Back then, Gentiles, those who weren’t Jewish, would be baptized as a sign that they were turning away from false gods and turning to worship the one true God. It’s symbolic, not salvation.”
Is Baptism Necessary?
Many people wrestle with the question: If baptism doesn’t save us, is it really necessary? The short answer is yes, because Jesus commanded it. While baptism is not the source of salvation, it is a vital step of obedience and an essential part of the Christian walk.
Jesus made this clear in His final instructions to His followers. In Matthew 28:19–20 (CSB), He said:
“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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Baptism is not a ritual; it is a response to Jesus’ command. It is an act of obedience that identifies us with Christ and His church. When we are baptized, we are saying to the world, “I belong to Jesus. My life is His.”
So, while baptism does not cause salvation, it confirms it. It is a public witness of faith, an act of surrender, and a step of obedience to the Savior who gave His life for us.
If we truly desire to follow Christ, we must not only believe His words but also obey them. Baptism is a joyful and meaningful way to proclaim that we have been made new and are ready to walk in faithful obedience to Him.