Why Get Baptized?

I heard someone say that the difference between a ‘fan of Jesus’ and a true ‘follower of Jesus’ is baptism! That’s true, and here are 3 biblical reasons why:

1. OBEDIENCE – being baptized is the first step of obedience for a Christian and should be done as soon as possible. Even Jesus himself was baptized as our model in Matthew 3:13. Will you follow Jesus Christ in obedience and be baptized?

2. PUBLIC – Baptism is a public symbol of our private faith and is to be conducted in front of the entire church as a public expression. As a matter of fact, Jesus said very strongly in Matthew 10:32, “If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven.” Will you acknowledge Jesus publicly through Baptism?

3. QUICKLY – While baptism does not bring salvation (only faith in Jesus can do that), it should be done as quickly as possible after salvation. Every example in the New Testament is one of haste. There's always some excuse for delay, but let me encourage you to be like the Ethiopian follower in Acts 8 who saw a body of water right after his conversation and said: “Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?” (Acts 8:36) Why wait? Even if you’ve put off baptism for a while already it’s better to do it now than to keep putting it off and living in disobedience.

Don’t wait!