What is Baptism?THE FIRST STEP IN OBEDIENCE
First, baptism itself does not save you. We are saved through trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and baptism is where that trust goes public. Scripture is clear that through faith our sins are forgiven, we’re counted righteous by God, and we’re reconciled to God (Rom. 3:21–31; 4:1–8; 5:1–11). Baptism depicts all these realities, but it doesn’t create them.
So what is baptism? Baptism stamps God’s people with a sign of the gospel. It calls forth a believer’s public commitment to Christ, setting him or her on a lifelong track of open witness to the grace of God in the gospel. It speaks a word of affirmation and acceptance from the church to the believer on behalf of Christ.
All this is why Jesus commands his disciples to baptize and be baptized. Baptism pictures and promotes the gospel. And baptism designates and draws a line around the people of the gospel—those who have repented of sin and trusted in Christ. Baptism matters because of the gospel it so vividly signifies.
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Interested in Baptism?Maybe you have some more questions about the act of baptism or how it ties into the gospel. Maybe you're ready to be baptized and you want to sign up now. In either case, we want to hear from you!
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