Written by Brenda Davis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
“Who are you wearing tonight?” Celebrities are asked this question by members of the press as they walk the red carpet at a movie premier or awards show, and it is usually answered with the name of a famous fashion designer.
The apostle Paul tells us about who we will be wearing after we are baptized. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27 NIV). Reflecting on this metaphor, I can almost feel Jesus’ presence hugging me like a perfectly fitting garment.
Let’s look at what God’s Word says about baptism.
WHAT
In the Scriptures, we see that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is our response to hearing and accepting the message of the Gospel, symbolizing our death to sin, the burial of our old life, and our resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism is our declaration of faith and represents an unconditional promise to God to do His will.
Baptism is a picture of death and of the grave. Coming up out of the water represents Christ’s resurrection (Ro 6:1-4). So, when you are baptized, you are saying, "I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with Him, and now I am raised with Christ to a brand-new life— a changed me."
HOW
The Greek root word baptizein, from which we get the word baptize, means to plunge, immerse, sink, or wash. Another word more often used throughout the New Testament is baptizō which means to totally submerge, drown, immerse, or dunk into water.
We find several instances of baptisms In the New Testament where evidence points to immersion. John the Baptist baptized in Aenon near Salim which is along the Jordan River “because there was plenty of water” (Jn 3:23). After Jesus’ baptism, He “came up out of the water” (Mk 1:10). And both Philip and the Eunuch “went down into the water and Philip baptized him” (Ac 8:38).
WHY
Baptism does not appear to me to be merely a suggestion, but rather something extraordinarily important as it connects to our salvation. Several passages bear this out: “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5). “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16). “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you” (1Pe 3:21a).
Baptism is so important that Christ’s final instructions before He ascended to Heaven were, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).
And when we are clothed with Christ, we receive rich blessings:
Forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Ac 2:38).
Being joined with other believers in the church—the body of Christ: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body” (1 Co 12:13a). “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all” (Ac 2:41 NLT).
WHEN
Every person who has heard the gospel message and can make a conscious decision to believe in Christ is “eligible.” For some, baptism may follow a process of study, but lengthy Bible study is not a requirement. We find that New Testament believers were baptized in immediate response to hearing the Gospel message for the first time, such as in the story of Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8. Other instances are also recorded:
“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Ac 8:12 NIV)
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Ac 22:16)
“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” (Ac 16:33b)
WHY NOT?
Sisters, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn 14:15). If you have not put on Christ in baptism, what might be keeping you from submission and obedience to your Savior? I urge you to examine your heart and consider changing your clothes.