Baptism is a beautiful picture of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  It is an act of obedience and is symbolic in nature.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”  Baptism is not an option, it is a command of the Lord.

Matthew 28:18-20   Acts 2:37

Baptism is an act of OBEDIENCE - not an act you do in order to be saved.

Acts 8:29;  16:14-15, 31;  10:47;  18:7   

1 – It is a command of Jesus

2 – It is a public profession of an inward decision

3 – It is a visible portrayal of our spiritual experience

4 – It is a symbolic declaration of the message of the Gospel

5 – It is a personal identification with the person of Jesus Christ 

It is similar to a couple who exchange wedding rings during their ceremony.  The rings are a token or symbol of their commitment to each other.  The rings do not make them married – they are a symbol.  They may take the rings off from time to time but they are still married.  They may let a person who is single try them on, but the rings do not make the single person married. 

It is the same with baptism.  It is a symbol to let others know of the commitment you have made to Jesus Christ.  Baptism does not make you a Christian.  You can be baptized and others may think you are a Christian, but if you have never taken the first step of being “born again,” you are living a lie.  You can baptize a baby, but it will not make the baby a Christian anymore than putting a wedding ring on it would make it married.  Baptism is the act of obedience that identifies you with the One to whom you have committed your life.

The word “baptize” literally means “to immerse.”  Baptism by immersion pictures our position with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Romans 6:3-5

Following salvation.

Acts 2:4;  8:12, 36-37;  16:25-33