Baptism

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” It involves applying water to the believer, symbolizing their death to the old way of life (Roman 6:3-4), and the rising from water, symbolizing the new life God provides them (Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism is a means of receiving the grace of God, sealing one’s intention to follow God, but is not an act of salvation that takes away one’s sins (Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-39, 10:44-48).

The main purpose of baptism is to declare one’s faith in Christ and their commitment to follow Him. It is also a way for you to seal what Christ has done in your heart by taking an action step that all will see (Colossians 2:12-14). Being baptized is meant to be a celebration of new life and a recognition of what Christ has done! Lastly, members of the early church all took this step, including Jesus, so it only seems appropriate that it would be a believers’ next step today (Acts 8:36).