Key Practice: Be Baptized

Dying to the old, living in the new.

Ephesians 4:4-6 reminds us: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Baptism is a public declaration that shows the world that you have left your old life behind to follow Jesus. It is one of the first steps in obedience to God’s will. Through baptism, a believer is crucified with Christ, put to death with Him, and raised to new life. You are no longer simply human; you are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” - Romans 6:3-5

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Great Commission

Jesus makes it clear in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Make no mistake, salvation comes through faith alone (See Ephesians 2:8-9), but baptism is your way of showing God where your heart is and your willingness to obey Him.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. This is referred to as the Great Commission and in it baptism is not optional; it is commanded. However, in some extreme cases, it is not required. A thief on the cross, next to Jesus during their crucifixions, pleaded with Jesus to join Him in heaven. Jesus permitted him eternal life in heaven with Him. (See Luke 23)

The Example of the Early church

The first believers, after the 12 apostles of Jesus, responded to the gospel with faith and baptism. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41) Baptism was immediate. It was an expression of repentance and a visible way to show that one had turned to God. The early Christians did not delay; they understood baptism as a joyful act of obedience and community belonging.

The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism symbolizes dying to our old life and being raised to new life in Christ. Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." The old self is buried, and a new creation rises in a process called sanctification. Baptism does not wash away sin, but it declares that sin’s power has been broken because of what Christ has done., not because of what we did by getting baptized.

Obedience and Faith Working Together

True faith is always accompanied by obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” When a believer is baptized, they are saying to the world, “I love Jesus and I will follow Him.” Baptism doesn’t make someone a Christian; it shows that they already are one. In baptism, believers identify with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and they also identify with His people, considering one another brothers and sisters in God’s family as His children.

Reflection and Challenge:

If you have believed in Jesus but have not yet been baptized, consider what baptism represents: obedience, new life, and belonging. Baptism is not about perfection, it’s about submission to Christ and the celebration of His saving grace.

Ask yourself:

• Have I made a public declaration of my faith in Jesus Christ?

• What is holding me back from following Christ in baptism?

• How might my obedience encourage others to follow Him as well?

Baptism is not the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of walking faithfully and humbly with Jesus. Through it, you proclaim to the world that you belong to Him and that your old life has been washed away. As you rise from the waters, you testify to the living hope found only in Christ.

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References:

New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978)