Why do I need to be Baptized?

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

Baptism is the believer’s first step of obedience toward discipleship after repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—a public testimony of union with Christ’s death and resurrection, and a joyful entrance into the true Church according to the Lord Jesus’ command.

Water baptism is not merely a religious tradition or a human invention; it is a divine command. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, before ascending to heaven, gave clear instructions for His followers to be baptized. Baptism is one of the two ordinances (along with the Lord’s Supper) that Jesus personally instituted for His Church to observe.

Here are key Scriptures where Jesus and His apostles commanded baptism:

- “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
- “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)
- “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

These verses make it clear:

Baptism is not optional for a follower of Jesus Christ. It is an act of obedience, a public identification with Christ, and a step of faith.

1. Baptism is an Act of Obedience and the First Step to Discipleship

When we choose to be baptized, we are responding to the command of Jesus Christ. Obedience to His instruction shows that we are serious about following Him and submitting to His lordship over our lives. Baptism is the believer’s first public act of obedience after repentance and faith.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

By obeying the Lord in baptism, we declare to the world and to God that we love Him and are ready to walk in newness of life.

Furthermore, baptism marks the beginning of one’s journey as a disciple of Jesus. While some believers may not undergo baptism, those who desire to be true disciples must take this step. It signifies a commitment to learn from and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

2. Baptism is a Public Declaration of Our Faith and Union with Christ

Baptism serves as a visible testimony to the inward change that has already occurred. It tells the world: “I have decided to follow Jesus.”

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

Just as a wedding ring publicly declares a person’s marital commitment, baptism publicly declares a person’s commitment to Jesus Christ. It symbolizes our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

The act of immersion in water represents dying to our old self and being buried with Christ. Emerging from the water symbolizes resurrection into a new life. Therefore, baptism is a public testimony that you have become one with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Baptism Marks Our Entry Into the Body of Christ

Baptism is a sign that we are now part of God’s family—the Church.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Spiritually, through baptism, we become members of the genuine body of Christ, transcending denominational lines and affiliations. This true Church is a global community of believers united by faith in Jesus.

However, some local churches require baptism for full membership. This practice helps new members understand the significance of the ordinance and fosters a sense of belonging within the community.

4. Diverse Practices of Baptism in the Christian World

Christian denominations vary in their baptismal practices:

Immersion: The individual is fully submerged in water, symbolizing death and resurrection with Christ. This method is common among Baptists and Pentecostals.
Pouring (Affusion): Water is poured over the head, often used when immersion isn’t feasible. It’s practiced in many Catholic and Protestant churches.
Sprinkling (Aspersion): Water is sprinkled on the head, typically in infant baptisms within Reformed and Presbyterian traditions.

While immersion closely aligns with the symbolic death and resurrection, all these methods are considered valid expressions of baptism’s spiritual significance. The mode of baptism is a minor doctrinal difference among Christians.

5. Who and When to Perform Baptism?

The authority to baptize isn’t limited to ordained clergy. In the New Testament, figures like Philip, who wasn’t an apostle, baptized new believers.

“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38)

This shows that any disciple who understands the meaning of baptism can baptize others. The focus is not on an official title but on a correct understanding of the Gospel and baptism’s significance.

As noted by theologian Wayne Grudem, “there seems to be no need in principle to restrict the right to perform baptism only to ordained clergy.” The emphasis is on the believer’s understanding and faith, not their ecclesiastical position.

As to when baptism should be performed, the Bible provides a clear example: when a person believes, baptism should happen as soon as possible. In the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, after hearing the Gospel and believing in Jesus, the eunuch immediately expressed his desire to be baptized.

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?'” (Acts 8:36)

There was no need to wait for a scheduled church event or a future baptismal ceremony. Once a person repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptism should be offered without unnecessary delay.

6. What Is the Difference Between the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Jesus?

The baptism practiced by John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance, preparing people for the coming Messiah. It symbolized a turning away from sin but did not confer the Holy Spirit.

In contrast, the baptism instituted by the Lord Jesus is associated with the reception of the Holy Spirit after a person believes. This distinction is clearly seen in Acts 19:1–6, where Paul encounters disciples who had received John’s baptism but were unaware of the Holy Spirit.

“And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:3–5)

In our article, “What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?”, we explained that to be born again involves both repentance and surrendering one’s life to Jesus.

In John’s baptism, before the Gospel was fully preached by the Lord Jesus, it was only an act of repentance—a turning away from sin in preparation for the coming Savior. But after the Lord Jesus appeared and proclaimed the Good News, the full response now involves both repentance and personal faith and surrender to Jesus Christ.

This is why John the Baptist directed his disciples to leave him and follow Jesus—because with Jesus, the redemptive plan of God was coming into completion.

“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” (John 1:35–37)

John fully recognized that his role was to point others to Christ and then step aside, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 )

7. Which Name Should I Be Baptized In?

Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize using the Trinitarian formula:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

However, in the Book of Acts, baptisms are often recorded as being done in the name of Jesus:

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts 2:38)

“And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:3–5)

This has led to discussions regarding the baptismal formula. Some explain that when Peter said “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,” he was emphasizing the authority of Jesus, not prescribing specific wording. It is possible that both Peter and Paul were actually referring to the very baptism taught by Jesus—baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but simply highlighting that it is carried out under Jesus’ authority.

Whether the exact words spoken are “in the name of Jesus” or “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” the important elements remain:

True repentance,
Genuine faith in Jesus Christ, and
The desire to publicly identify with His death and resurrection through baptism.

However, we prefer to follow the direct command of the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” as a clear and faithful response to His specific instruction.

The focus should ultimately be on obedience, faith, and the spiritual reality symbolized in baptism, rather than being divided over the exact verbal formula.

Final Thought

Baptism is more than a ritual—it is an act of obedience, a proclamation of faith, a symbol of spiritual cleansing, and a sign of belonging to the family of God.

If you have placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ but have not yet been baptized, the question is not whether you should be baptized, but why you are waiting.

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

Take that step of faith today. Obey the Lord, proclaim your allegiance to Him, and walk in the new life He has given you.

QUESTION: