The baptism that God commands in the Bible is the kind where you are immersed in water. If you do a word search on the word baptize and look at the Greek word, it is baptizo. Here is the definition of baptizo.
Baptizo: to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--baptist, baptize, wash.
Here are some verses that talk about this kind of baptism:
Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
- Baptism went along with serving Christ. Every follower of Christ needs to be baptized with water.
1 Corinthians 12:13 "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."
- As we become or remain one body, water baptism is what all believers should do. There is one Spirit and one baptism. It is the same for all of us. However, as we come out of the water, different people may feel that they need to repent of different sins. God will symbolically wash us clean and want us to live for Him.
1 Corinthians 1:16 "Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other."
Acts 16:33 "And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized."
- Apparently, families got baptized together. This must have been a special experience. Families can still be baptized, especially when they all accept Christ at once, but generally, a new Christian gets baptized right after they become saved.
Acts 22:16 "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
- This is a good question for anyone who has put off the command of baptism. Why are you waiting? Just like God commands us to be honest, give to the poor, sing praise songs and do many more things, He commands us to get baptized. Further, baptism is what we see people doing, in the Bible, as soon as they get saved.
In Acts 2:38, Peter says "Repent and be baptized." Until we turn to God for salvation, in repentance, we aren't going to receive the gifts the Holy Spirit has for us. These gifts are powerful in people who repent and get baptized.
Acts 10:47, 48 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days."
Acts 9:18 "Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized."
- Paul didn't waste any time. As soon as he could see, he was baptized. We should follow his example.
A fantastic verse on baptism comes from Jesus' "Great Commission." Please read Matthew 28:19. They are some of Jesus' last words in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 28:19 "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, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
- This passage is saying that followers of Christ should make disciples and baptize them. After the baptism, they are to teach them. Notice the progression. I'm not suggesting that a person can't be a disciple and learn without baptism, however, I am noticing the way the verses on baptism are written.
There is something awesome about baptism. Why else would cults say you must be baptized to be saved? Of course, Protestant Christians like myself do not believe like they do. However, we must take the command to be baptized (immersed in water) seriously.
I can't use clever words to convince. I can't plead with you to get baptized. Just read God's Word and pray about it. You'll find what He wants for you.
I was baptized when I was twenty years old. It was an awesome experience! Before my baptism, I had lots of problems in my life. I had tons of sins and I had one foot in the world and one foot in God's Word.
After my baptism, I became an on-fire Christian. I could list all the changes made in my life, but I don't know if I have enough room. God has done such an awesome work in my life and He continues to do it. He's used me so many ways and I've been His servant. It's been an awesome journey.
It's hard to believe or understand why I got saved at age seven and baptized at age twenty. I lived thirteen years before I obeyed God in this area. I hope you follow Him sooner than I did. I hope you do greater things than I've done.
Sincerely,
Jason Gastrich
