2. BE BAPTIZED IN WATER.
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
-ROMANS 6:3-4 (ESV)
The first act of obedience as a disciple of Christ is to be baptized in water. This is a very important thing for you to do and the first step in your spiritual growth. Baptism is an outward declaration of what has taken place inside of you. What did take place in side of you? You were united with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection! Everything that happened to Christ physically, in these three things, happened to you spiritually because of your faith in Him. Your old life died and was buried, and you were raised up into new life!
Baptism is a public declaration to yourself, God, your family, friends and to the devil that this all has taken place.
Baptism is going down into the water, which symbolizes being buried with Christ. Your old life of sin and believing you could save yourself by your own efforts, was crucified with Christ (died) and is buried. As you come up out of the water you are leaving that old life behind in the grave and rising up into new life. Just as Christ rose from the dead, your spirit has come alive in God so you can now walk in newness of life in Him! Baptism does not make this all happen; it just shows that you believe it all happened as you declare it publically.
The only requirement for baptism is to be a believer in Christ! If you believe in Christ and have not been baptized, it is now time to consider it. It may feel a bit strange and might take some courage, but it is an important thing to do and will be a defining moment in your life that will significantly help you grow as a disciple of Christ.
SCRIPTURES ABOUT BAPTISM
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -MATTHEW 28:16-20 (ESV)
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” -ACTS 2:41 (ESV)
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?' And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." -ACTS 8:35-38 (ESV)
“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” -ACTS 8:12 (ESV)
“Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”
-ACTS 18:8 (ESV)
If you have not yet been baptized in water, then speak to someone at your church about it or even a good Christian friend. Let them know you would like to be baptized and then just take the plunge! You will notice the spiritual difference it makes in your life straight away.
Sabrina Pen 