All of our campuses have a baptism coming up September 16. If you area a follower of Christ, and have not taken your next step of baptism, now is the time to be obedient. Here are 4 things you need to know about baptism to help you take your next step:
1. Baptism is about going public
Baptism is an opportunity for us to publicly identify with Jesus Christ! Just like we wear a team jersey when attending a sporting event, baptism is like putting on the jersey of a Christ follower. There is no such thing as a private faith, Jesus went public on the cross and baptism is our opportunity to let the world know we belong to Jesus.
2. Baptism is about being obedient
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “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.” Notice the first command Jesus gives to his followers is to be baptized. In order to be the person that God wants you to be, you have to obedient in the first step of baptism. You can’t say you will do anything for God if you won’t do the first thing.
3. Baptism comes after salvation
In the first recorded sermon in Acts 2, Peter preaches to a crowd of thousands. About three thousand people are saved and the first thing Peter tells them to do after salvation is baptism (Acts 2:38). The pattern continues through the rest of the early church, baptism is a public proclamation of the spiritual transformation that occurs when you accept Christ. If you get baptized before salvation, you are just a wet sinner. The biblical example is clear, baptism comes after salvation.
4. Baptism is a powerful reminder
Baptism is a powerful reminder of a beautiful story. It is through the act of baptism that we are reminded of the way Jesus saves us. We were once dead in our sins; Jesus found us, cleaned us up, took the punishment of sin on our behalf and rose from the dead so that we could live with him forever. Every time we celebrate baptism it is an opportunity to preach the good news. Jesus died so that we do not have to, and He rose again so that we could live clean and righteous with Him forever.
Check out this video recap of the last time our church did a spontaneous baptism: http://vimeo.com/29808455
If Baptism is your next step, you can sign up right now: http://newspring.cc/nextsteps/baptism/