What is Baptism and Why Get Baptized?

Why step into the water? In the evangelical reading offered here, baptism makes a personal faith public. Sacraments are understood as outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ, that help believers grow in faith. The two core sacraments recognized by most evangelical denominations are Baptism and Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper).

1. Baptism: This sacrament symbolizes a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is typically performed by immersion in water and serves as a public declaration of faith. Baptism signifies the washing away of sins and the believer's entrance into the Christian community.

2. Communion: This sacrament commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with His disciples, where He instituted the practice of sharing bread and wine (or grape juice) as symbols of His body and blood. It serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the believer's ongoing relationship with Him and the Church.

   
   

What does the outward sign mean?

A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. It is a means by which believers can experience God's presence and grace in their lives. As Evangelical Christians we emphasize a personal relationship with Christ, often viewing sacraments as symbolic acts that reflect an individual's faith rather than a means of grace conferred by the Church.

Why Evangelical Christians Don't Have Other Sacraments

Evangelical Christians do not recognize the other sacraments found in Catholicism, such as Confirmation, Penance (confession), Holy Orders, and Matrimony, primarily for the following reasons:

1. Sola Scriptura: We believe in the principle of "sola scriptura," meaning they believe that the Bible alone is the authoritative source of Christian teaching. As such, we tend to accept only those practices explicitly instituted by Jesus or detailed in Scripture.

2. Focus on Personal Faith: Evangelicalism emphasizes a personal faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. Other sacraments may be viewed as rituals in some circles but they do not contribute to salvation or spiritual growth in the same way that Baptism and Communion do.

3. Rejection of Sacramentalism: Evangelicals generally reject the belief that certain rituals or sacraments can confer grace automatically. We believe that faith in Christ, rather than participation in sacraments, is what brings about salvation.

   
   

Baptism

Baptism asks us to put our faith where people can see it. We are declaring that we belong to Jesus and intend to follow Him. The water matters because of the life it points toward, not because a public moment excuses us from daily obedience.

The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism is a symbolic act that represents what has already happened in your heart when you accepted Jesus as your Savior. It’s a picture of being cleansed from sin and being spiritually reborn. When you are baptized, you are publicly identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Going under the water represents dying to your old life of sin, and coming up out of the water symbolizes being raised to new life in Christ.

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." — Romans 6:4

The act of baptism doesn’t save you—only faith in Jesus does that—but it’s an outward sign of the inward transformation that has taken place. It’s a way to show the world that you have been forgiven and made new by God’s grace.

Make the declaration. Live the commitment.

Baptism, like a wedding ring, is also a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. When you are baptized, you are telling everyone, "I belong to Jesus!" It’s a bold statement that you have chosen to follow Him and that you are committed to living a life that reflects His love and teachings.

In the Bible, we see that baptism is closely tied to the decision to follow Jesus. After Peter preached to the crowd at Pentecost, many believed his message and asked what they should do next. Peter’s response was clear:

"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.'" — Acts 2:38

The New Testament places baptism alongside the call to follow Jesus. In this act, we declare a turn away from sin and toward God. That testimony asks something of the days after the baptism too: will our conduct reflect the Christ we named?

Scriptural Support for Baptism

The practice of baptism is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the early church. Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist, even though He was sinless, to set an example for us to follow. His baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." — Matthew 3:16

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission, commanding them to make disciples and baptize them:

"Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus places baptism within the church’s work of making disciples. We enter a shared life, with people to learn from, serve alongside, and love. A disciple keeps learning after the public declaration is over.

Put this into practice

If you are considering baptism, read these passages in context and ask your pastor what your church teaches and practices. Bring your questions before making the commitment. If you have been baptized, choose one way to live that commitment today: tell the truth, repair a wrong, or serve somebody quietly. Let the life match the declaration.

A Prayer for Understanding Baptism

Heavenly Father,Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and for the opportunity to follow Him in baptism. Help me to understand the meaning behind this important step and to boldly declare my faith in You. Thank You for making me new, for washing away my sins, and for raising me to new life in Jesus. As I continue on this journey, help me to live in a way that honors You and points others to Your love.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.