Dunk ‘Em Good – Thoughts on Baptism
Baptism seems to be a hot topic in church culture. We know that Jesus has commanded the act of baptism. But I think some people may have a misconception of what baptism is, and what it does. I know a ton of churches have analogies they use to describe what it is.
This post is designed mainly for the non-Christian, or young Christian, but I don’t think those who have been Christians for years and years can’t benefit from it. Clarification, I think it could benefit most everyone.
A little history on me, I was baptized on Easter Sunday, circa 1997. I did it for several reasons. First it thought it was the process of being saved, I didn’t wanna go to hell! Second, I chose to do it, based on recommendation of my grandparents. They always spoke of its importance. I wanted to do things right in their eyes.
Unfortunately, as kids who grow into adults, this is generally the reason, and we see so many people come for salvation and baptism, because, “It didn’t really mean anything then,” or “I didn’t know what I was doing.”
I want to be clear in saying that baptism isn’t required for salvation. “BLASPHEMY!” is what the person who stopped reading at the word ‘required,’ is saying.
Your salvation isn’t based on baptism.
As a follow up to my previous post regarding praying the prayer, and salvation, baptism is a follow up act of obedience.
Whether you’re a full immersion baptism fan, or maybe a sprinkler, or however you wet someone down for baptism, it’s symbolism of the cleansing work of Jesus on your life.
Personally, I’m a full immersion kinda guy, I want to be dunked so deep in Jesus I come up “white as snow,” as the old hymn says. I mean, I guess, if I wanted to be sprinkled, we could pull out the pressure washer and hose people down. (I joke, I do take baptism seriously, but a little humor doesn’t hurt.)
The most popular analogy I’ve heard for baptism is the symbol of the wedding band. Multiple people in leadership over me, have used this for years.
Long story short, baptism shows the world you’re called to live with Christ. Just like a wedding ring doesn’t make you married, it serves as a message to everyone else that you are married.
We baptize, because Jesus was baptized. We baptize because Jesus said to do so, in The Great Commission. We do it because the early church did it.
I want to be clear that when I say it’s not required for salvation, baptism is still a very important step in your faith.
You can go your whole life, atonement gained by your profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and your verbal and heart/mind/soul acknowledgement of God raising Him from the dead, and that you trust in Him to not put you to shame, nor death and not have been baptized.
That fact shouldn’t detract you from being baptized; rather it should push you forward for it. Maybe seeing you take that step, someone else can gain the courage to know Jesus personally. It’ll tell your church body, that you are willing to be held accountable for your actions, and your words. It’s trusting that your local church will be praying for you as you embark on your Christ Journey.
I recommend you be baptized if you are indeed a believer in Christ Jesus, and have never been baptized. The culmination of you experiencing the death, burial, and resurrection of yourself is an unmatchable experience.
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