Getting baptized is a very big step in starting your life-long relationship with Christ. It’s a very big decision and it’s important to really think about it before committing. You have to understand what you should expect if you’re ready, and what comes next! 

Many think that baptism was introduced in the New Testament by John the Baptist. However, Baptism can actually be traced all the way back to the Old Testament in the book of Genesis when Noah and his family were saved from the great flood. If we look at 1 Peter 3:20, it states, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”  Peter continues in the next verse (3:21), “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.”  

Being baptized, however, was much more prominent in the New Testament.  This is noted in Matthew chapter three when John baptizes Jesus. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized” (Matthew 3:13).

We know that baptism is not required nor necessary for a person to be born again or saved.  It is, however, an act of obedience, repentance, and a loving symbol that you are ready to devote your life to Jesus Christ.  Baptism is an observance of Jesus, our Lord, and Savior.  For He washed away all of our sins and died on the cross for us to have a relationship with God.  Bible truth, a Christian-based website puts it beautifully, “It is an illustration of what has taken place in the new believer’s heart, which cannot be outwardly observed when a person is saved.  Salvation is followed by a public testimony of a person’s belief in Jesus Christ.” In more simple terms, a promise to love and obey Jesus for the rest of your life on Earth.  All of your sins are swept away and you are reborn as a follower of Jesus Christ. While the change is not external and many people won’t notice it with only a glance it is a very solemn transformation.

Before considering getting baptized, you should really get to know God on a more personal level. You can deepen your relationship with Him by attending a bible-based church, praying, reading the gospel, and living the life Jesus commanded us to.  He wants His followers to love and serve others, put others’ needs before our own needs, forgive others who do wrong to us, and pray for those who need Christ in their lives.  You may do this for months or years and just not feel ready.  This is normal, I was in that same spot until recently.  It’s a big commitment and one that you must be totally ready for.  It’s okay if you aren’t ready, God understands.  There is no rush at all! God loves you no matter what.  Getting baptized is a beautiful experience and one of the best feelings in the world.  But, if you don’t get baptized or feel ready quite yet,  just know that God will look at you no differently than He does the rest of his children.  

My recommendation is that you silence your mind and truly listen to what God is telling you.   This can be used as an indicator of when it is time to commit and get baptized.  When the time comes, I promise you will know.  In the meantime, work on strengthening your faith!

I was baptized on Easter Sunday with and by my mom. Up until that time, I had been second-guessing myself for a while. To give my life to Christ would be a very big commitment.  Being baptized would mean I would have to put away my selfish desires so I can live the life Jesus wants me to.  I never truly felt ready. I was serving at my local church: CCV, reading the bible, praying, and even trying to share God’s word with others. It still just never felt right to me. But that day I just felt like it was the right decision.  God was calling me and so I listened. I was very nervous but I just knew it had to happen that day. Easter was the day Jesus rose from the dead after dying on the cross for our sins.  Jesus gave his life for us therefore there was no better day to be baptized and to give my life to Him.

The Holy Spirit worked miracles that day.  This was the reason Jesus died on the cross and why God sacrificed His one and only son. So many people were guided to give their lives to Christ that day.  Some were not familiar with God but ready to start a relationship.  Some were believers that wanted to take their relationship to the next level.  Some were just not ready before but felt ready that day like it was their calling!  The presence of the Holy Spirit was strong at CCV that day and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.  People were lined up, all ready to start their new life.  To be submerged in the water and to come out a new man or woman. Perhaps one of my favorite verses Romans 10:9 says ”That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

People of all ages and all backgrounds were all gathered at one place together to show their love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Their faces when they came out of the water were perhaps the most powerful of all. You could just see this relief in their eyes that all their sins were forgiven and all their troubles were wiped away and replaced with God’s love. “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).