“Just as Jesus was buried in the earth and then raised up into new life, so the new Christian is ‘buried’ under the water in baptism and brought up again as a symbol of the new life he or she has received. Baptism also initiates the new believer into Christ’s church, where he or she becomes a member of a local body of believers. This initial step is non-negotiable. It is a command of Jesus Christ, and we should consider it a privilege to identify with Jesus and his people through baptism. Who could put their trust in such an amazingly gracious Saviour and not want to identify with him?”
– Francis Chan
We have produced the information below to help you consider whether you are ready to be baptised and how to go about it.
Question 1: Do you understand what baptism in water is all about?
It is an act of obedience to Jesus. He led the way himself when he was baptised in the River Jordan, declaring in Matthew 3:15 that “It is proper for us to do this to fulfil all that is right.” He then commanded all of his followers to do the same thing as their first step of obedience to him. He instructed his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So on a very basic level, we are baptised because we recognise Jesus as our new Master. It’s an act of humility, obedience and love towards him. Jesus says in John 14:15 that “If you truly love me, you will do what I command.”
For many people this is reason enough, but it is helpful that Bible goes on to explain why Jesus commanded this too. It is a physical expression of the belief in our heart that we have been united with Jesus through our faith in him. As we step down into the waters of baptism and go underwater, we declare with our body, both to people and to unseen spirits: I have been united with Jesus in his death. I have been crucified and buried with Jesus. My sins are washed away. The punishment has been paid for them. They are in my past. I am forgiven!
As we come back out of the water, we declare physically: I have been raised to new life with Jesus in his resurrection. I have left my old life behind. That’s who I used to be, but now I am a new creation through my faith in Jesus Christ.
As we step out of the waters of baptism, we declare with our body: This is one small step out of the waters of baptism, but it’s a giant leap forward for me spiritually. I am beginning my new life with Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come. I’m living for Jesus now, not for myself. I am now a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Bible puts it this way: “All of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death. 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. 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. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,] that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." (Romans 6:3-7) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So if you think that you now understand the significance of baptism. You are ready to move on to the second question.
For many people this is reason enough, but it is helpful that Bible goes on to explain why Jesus commanded this too. It is a physical expression of the belief in our heart that we have been united with Jesus through our faith in him. As we step down into the waters of baptism and go underwater, we declare with our body, both to people and to unseen spirits: I have been united with Jesus in his death. I have been crucified and buried with Jesus. My sins are washed away. The punishment has been paid for them. They are in my past. I am forgiven!
As we come back out of the water, we declare physically: I have been raised to new life with Jesus in his resurrection. I have left my old life behind. That’s who I used to be, but now I am a new creation through my faith in Jesus Christ.
As we step out of the waters of baptism, we declare with our body: This is one small step out of the waters of baptism, but it’s a giant leap forward for me spiritually. I am beginning my new life with Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come. I’m living for Jesus now, not for myself. I am now a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Bible puts it this way: “All of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death. 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. 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. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,] that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." (Romans 6:3-7) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So if you think that you now understand the significance of baptism. You are ready to move on to the second question.
Question 2: Are you ready to be baptised in water?
At Everyday Church, we baptise people in all sorts of places. Jesus made it very simple for his followers - all you need is a place where there is plenty of water. We baptise people in swimming pools, in the river, in a hot-tub, in the bath or in the baptistery pool in one of our church buildings. Whatever the location, we always ask people to make three baptismal vows before they go underwater.
Keep reading if you are ready to answer all of those three questions with a resounding 'Yes!'
Well done. Being baptised is the first thing that all believers in Jesus are called to do, so we would be very excited to help you to do so. When people asked the Apostle Peter what they needed to do to respond to the Christian Gospel, he immediately replied “Repent and be baptised!” (Acts 2:38). So well done, you are doing the right thing. You are now ready to move on to the third and final question.
- Do you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour?
- Do you recognise, renounce and repent of the sins that you have committed and trust that by Jesus’ death and resurrection you are now forgiven?
- And will you commit to follow Him for the rest of your life?
Keep reading if you are ready to answer all of those three questions with a resounding 'Yes!'
Well done. Being baptised is the first thing that all believers in Jesus are called to do, so we would be very excited to help you to do so. When people asked the Apostle Peter what they needed to do to respond to the Christian Gospel, he immediately replied “Repent and be baptised!” (Acts 2:38). So well done, you are doing the right thing. You are now ready to move on to the third and final question.
Question 3: What do I need to do next in order to be baptised in water?
Baptism is a personal event – a key stage in an individual’s discipleship journey, but it is also a community event. We are baptised into the community of believers – the Church. Therefore, we encourage people to be baptised publicly with the church gathering around and celebrating with them. Your next step is to talk to a leader about your decision to get baptised. They will then talk and pray with you about your decision and discuss some of the practicalities of getting baptised.