What is Baptism and Why Should I Do it?

The Command of the Risen Lord

A soldier returns home after battle, his uniform adorned with medals. When asked by his little brother if he had to wear them, he smiles: “No one made me. I wear them because they remind me who I belong to — and what I fought for.”

That is baptism. It is not forced or ritualistic. It is the joyful emblem of belonging to Christ — the outward sign that we are His. Jesus does not invite His followers to a private faith but to a public declaration: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Baptism flows from the authority of the risen Lord. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me”(Matthew 28:18). It is not the cause of grace but its consequence — not what earns salvation but what expresses it. The one who commands the waters also promises His presence: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

The Pattern of the Early Church

Luke continues the Great Commission story in Acts. Jesus ascends, promising power from on high, and the Spirit falls at Pentecost. Peter, once timid, now stands bold and preaches Christ crucified and risen. His sermon climaxes: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified”(Acts 2:36).

The crowd, pierced to the heart, cries out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter answers, “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” (Acts 2:38).

Repentance first, baptism next — faith before the waters. Three thousand respond that day: “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). The Spirit fell, the gospel was proclaimed, repentance was granted, faith confessed, and baptism sealed it publicly.

The pattern is clear and unchanged: those who believe are baptized. Historically, infant baptism arose later, rooted in fear of death and a sacramental view of regeneration. But the apostolic church baptized believers — those who had turned from sin and trusted in Christ alone. Like a wedding ring that follows the vows, baptism follows faith. It’s the visible seal of the invisible covenant.

The Picture of Union with Christ

Paul writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3–4).

Baptism is the gospel in motion — death, burial, and resurrection in a single act. The believer goes under the water, declaring, “My old self has died.” They rise, proclaiming, “I now live through Christ.” Immersion captures the fullness of this union — a life buried and reborn by grace.

Paul reminds us that this union changes everything: “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2). To be united with Christ means that His story has become ours — His death our death to sin, His resurrection our new life to God. To witness baptism is to see Romans 6 come alive before your eyes. It reminds the church that we, too, have died with Christ and live to God. Every baptism should reawaken gratitude, stir holiness, and renew joy in the gospel.

Three Gospel Appeals

1. To the believer not yet baptized: The risen Christ commands it. The waters are not a barrier but a bridge from private faith to public confession.

2. To the unbeliever: Baptism without repentance is only water. Turn to Christ, and let the waters become your testimony of grace.

3. To the church: Remember your baptism. You’ve died with Christ and risen with Him — now walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

A Final Word

In 1955, missionaries Jim Elliot and four companions were killed on the Curaray River in Ecuador while reaching the Huaorani people. Two years later, Elisabeth Elliot returned — not to mourn but to witness redemption. On that very riverbank, she watched Huaorani believers — including some of the men who killed her husband — step into the waters of baptism.

The river that once ran red with blood became the waters of new birth. So it is with every baptism: death defeated, grace triumphant, Christ exalted.

The same Lord who commissioned His disciples then is with His church now.
The gospel still saves. The Spirit still moves.
And the waters still testify: Jesus is Lord.