Get right with God(regarding baptism)

When someone decides to “get right with God,” part of the “outward sign” of accepting Jesus as their savior is being baptized. It is an exciting time, but there are many questions regarding baptism that should be clarified.

Why should someone be baptized?

The Bible gives a number of reasons to be baptized:

Acts 2:38 – Tying repentance and baptism together provides forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:1-7 – This shows us that the mode of baptism (immersion) pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. In the same way that He went through these things, our old nature is to “die” and we are to be “buried with Him through baptism into death” and raised to “walk in newness of life” (live like Jesus). So we do not just try to be a better person, we bury the “old person” in the water and become a “new person” through our acceptance of Christ. It is like a new birth and a new beginning for us.

Galatians 3:27 – We “put on Christ” when we are baptized.

1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism is not an outward cleaning, but saves us through an inward cleaning. It is an appeal to God for a good conscience and asks God to take away the guilt of our past sin (that Christ paid for, wiping our “inner slate” clean).

Well, now you have it—the what, when and why. The only question left to ask is, “what will I do now?” That is between you and God.

Hope this helps someone!! Hit It! GP