Reasons to be Baptized

In our last lesson, we discussed what the Bible says about whether we need to be baptized or not. We looked at the example of Jesus—He was baptized so to “fulfill all righteousness” as we read in Matthew 3. We discussed that if it was not important, why would Jesus insist that He be baptized? Then we looked at how Jesus said in John 3, that “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” And we ended by focusing on Jesus command given in Mark 16:16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Today we are going to look at five reasons to be baptized. Now, let’s keep in mind that every time “baptism” is mentioned in the Bible, it is always directly or indirectly related to salvation. In all ten examples of conversions in the Book of Acts, baptism is part of the salvation process. Believing, confessing, repenting are mentioned in some of them.

Q: Why is that?

Q: Why is baptism mentioned at all times?

Baptism is something that is mentioned in all ten examples, because it was something that these people needed to do. And there was always an urgency attached to the baptism, something that needed to be done right away, after the person was convinced of their need to be saved. In Acts 16:31-33, we read: They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

Q: When did baptism happen?

Immediately.

In Acts 22:16, we have the conversion of Paul and we read: And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Q: Why was baptism so urgent in this case for Paul?

Reasons to be Baptized...

The main reasons to be baptized, besides having salvation, are as follows:

1.         To become disciples of Jesus – Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

How does one become a disciple? Being baptized, learning and obeying the teachings of Christ.

2.        To be born again – John 3:5

We mentioned this before, not a physical birth, of course, but the symbolic. How can one be born again from the water if baptism is removed from the plan of salvation? What is to replace this water if not the baptism?

3.        To receive forgiveness of sins – Acts 2:38

When Peter talked to the Jews, he told them to: “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.

Q: Did these people have faith?

Q: Did these people have the forgiveness of their sins?

4.        To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

It’s the same verse, but this time we can highlight that baptism would give these people the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they did not have and would not have unless they were baptized.

5.        To be buried and resurrected with Christ – Romans 6:3-5

In these verses we read, 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Again, if we remove “baptism” from the picture, what is supposed to take its place? How do I get buried with Christ so that I can be raised again?

Please note that faith, repentance, or obedience are not the terms that are associated with this process of being buried and raised again. It is the word “baptism” that is used in this verse and in all other verses that we reviewed.

Finally, a short note about the idea that is taught sometime that “baptism is an outward proclamation of an inward conversion” or “the outward expression of what is in your heart.” While these might sound good, the problem is that they are not based on the Bible. There are no verses that connect baptism with this expression.

“Confession” is the moment and the step where we tell the people around us, with our mouth, that we believe in Jesus as our Lord. So we have faith in our heart, and we express this faith through the confession. This is clearly taught in Romans 10: 9-10, which we studied the last time, but today we’re just going to read: If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Conclusion: The Bible teaches clearly on the need to be baptized so that one can be saved. If we remove baptism from the plan of God, we have an incomplete plan, and a person that is very close to being saved, but it is not saved.

In our next lesson, we’ll study about remaining saved and about counting that cost that comes with us remaining in Jesus Christ.

Extras

1.      Baptism is not for babies, but only for people who have reached the age of maturity – not specific age given in the Bible, but the person needs to have understanding of their situation and the need for baptism.

Who should be baptized?  Those who can and have been taught the gospel, can believe the message, repent of their sins and confess faith in Christ’s ability to save us.  Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 8:36-39.

2.     Is someone saved before baptism?

The newness of Life starts after baptism as we read in Romans 6:4-5.

The math of Jesus (Believe + Baptism = Salvation) Mark 16:15-16, man’s incorrect math (Believe = Salvation + Baptism)

3.     Should I be baptized if I was baptized?

Yes, if one was baptized for the reasons that are not given in the Bible:

a.      Forced into baptism (did not do it on own freewill);

b.      (No teaching took place) Matthew 28:19;

c.      Not taught correctly (I was saved before, symbol of inward grace, etc.)

d.     Wrong baptism - Acts 19:1-6

4.    When should I be baptized?

a.      When I am taught and convicted – Acts 2:36-41

b.      Any hour, time, the same day – Acts 2:41 and 47, 8:36-38, 16:25-34