The message is very clear in God’s Word: When you repent and believe, one of the first steps in obedience is water baptism. Immersion is the model given us by Philip and John the Baptist. Any believer in the Lord can baptize you, not just your pastor. But make sure this believer is a mature follower of the Lord
Find out everything you need to know about water baptism.
Water Baptism
The response of a new believer is “Yes, Lord!” We are eager to see what He’d have us do… “What’s your will for me, Lord?” And, in this case, His will has already been revealed.
- Be baptized in water.
- Don’t delay.
- Have another believer baptize you (this does not have to be your pastor – it can be any disciple of Christ).
- Be immersed in living water, if possible.
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave this command to His disciples (that’s you and me):
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…
(Matthew 28:19)
On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples and three thousand souls were saved that day, in obedience to the Master, and under His authority, he commanded them:
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 2:38)
After the Apostle Paul’s radical encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his subsequent belief, he was baptized immediately:
And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(Acts 22:16)
When the evangelist Philip converted the eunuch, we was immediately baptized:
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(Acts 8:35-39)
As you can see, God is not requiring you to be “perfect” before entering into the Kingdom of God. This growth and maturity happens after believing, baptism, and during discipleship.
So, what keeps you from being baptized? If you are committed to following the Lord, you should get baptized immediately. Contact us and we can help you with this wonderful next step.
