Why Baptism Matters
The Forgotten Command
For many Christians, baptism can feel like a formality. It can seem like something we check off the list after salvation, or a ritual that we just do without much thought. But according to Scripture, baptism is not an optional add-on to our faith. Instead, it’s a public declaration of our allegiance to King Jesus, a visible picture of the gospel, and a defining moment in the life of every believer.
Jesus Himself began His ministry by being baptized (Matthew 3:13–17) and ended His earthly ministry by commanding baptism (Matthew 28:19). And between those two moments lies the foundation for every Christian’s obedience to this God-given command.
It’s important for us to remember that baptism is not what saves us, but it is what shows that we’ve been saved.
Where Baptism Comes From
It may be a surprise to some, but baptism didn’t begin with John the Baptist. Long before he called Israel to repentance, the people of God were already familiar with symbolic acts of washing and purification. Under the Old Covenant, priests were required to wash before entering the tabernacle (Exodus 40:30–32), and those healed from disease were required to bathe to become ceremonially clean (Leviticus 14:8). Even Gentiles converting to Judaism were required to undergo ritual washing to signify their cleansing from impurity.
All of this foreshadowed what God promised through the prophet Ezekiel:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean... and I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:25–26).
This was the context for John the Baptist’s ministry. John’s baptism of repentance was the bridge between those shadows and the coming reality. It prepared Israel for the arrival of the Messiah. And when Jesus stepped into the Jordan, He identified Himself with sinners, not because He needed repentance, but because He came to fulfill all righteousness.
From that moment forward, baptism would no longer prepare the way for Christ’s coming—it would proclaim the finished work of Christ’s cross.
Who Baptism Is For
As we look to Scripture, what we find is that every explicit New Testament example of baptism follows faith in Christ.
For example, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, and the people “were cut to the heart” and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter’s answer was clear:
“Repent and be baptized...” (Acts 2:38).
And what was the result? Those who “received his word were baptized” (v. 41).
Later, in Samaria, “when they believed Philip as he preached the good news...they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).
Even the Philippian jailer, trembling in repentance, heard the gospel, believed, and “was baptized at once…” (Acts 16:33).
The consistent pattern in Scripture is unmistakable:
Baptism follows faith.
In other words, baptism is for believers—those who have turned from their sin and trusted in Christ alone for their salvation.
What Baptism Signifies
So what does baptism accomplish? Well, the water of baptism doesn’t wash away sin. The blood of Jesus does that.
But baptism does provide a picture of that cleansing.
Paul says in Romans 6:3–4 that believers are “baptized into Christ’s death” and “raised to walk in newness of life.” So, when a believer goes under the water, it represents our burial with Christ. And when we rise up from the water, it represents our resurrection with Him. In this way, baptism is a living picture of the gospel—death, burial, and newness of life.
At the same time, baptism is also an act of identification. Through baptism, we are publicly declaring that we belong to Christ and are united with His people. Because of this, it is both deeply personal and unmistakably public. When someone stands in the water, they are essentially preaching a sermon without words, declaring:
“I have died with Christ, and I now live for Him.”
How Baptism Should Be Done
The word baptize literally means “to immerse”—to dip or submerge.
That’s why baptism by immersion best captures the picture of burial and resurrection. Jesus Himself “came up from the water” (Matthew 3:16), and many in the early church followed that same practice as the outward symbol of an inward transformation.
But the method isn’t the only thing that matters. In fact, the message proclaimed through baptism matters too. Jesus commanded His followers to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
It’s amazing to realize that this Trinitarian formula of baptism declares the full scope of our salvation:
The Father chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3–6).
The Son redeemed us through His death and resurrection (Romans 5:8–11).
The Spirit regenerates and seals us for eternal life (Titus 3:4–6).
So when we baptize in the name of the Triune God, we are confessing that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.
Why Baptism Still Matters
Although baptism doesn’t make you a Christian, no true Christian should treat baptism lightly.
Why? Because it is the God-given way to publicly identify with Christ and His church. Refusing baptism is like claiming to follow Jesus while refusing to wear His name.
For the early church, baptism was not delayed or debated — it was assumed and expected. It marked the moment faith went public and discipleship began.
To be baptized is to say before the watching world, “I belong to Jesus—His death is my death, His life is my life, and He is now my Lord.”
If you’ve trusted Christ but have never been baptized, don’t postpone obedience.
Baptism is not a graduation ceremony for mature believers; it’s the starting line for every follower of Christ. It’s your way of saying, “I have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
It’s not just an event to remember. It’s a testimony that continues to preach, and a visible reminder that the gospel has changed everything.