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From the Pastor's desk — April 20, 2008

Do I Need To Be Baptized?

Today at New Life A/G, it's baptism Sunday. Some Christians ask: Do I need to be baptized? Do we have a choice regarding this? Well, before we answer that, I need to ask whether we have a choice regarding Jesus Christ. The answer is in the affirmative. Every person HAS a choice whether to follow Jesus Christ or any other gods or religious beliefs, and we are expected to follow the requirements of the religion we choose. To everyone who has put their faith and belief in the ONE AND ONLY risen savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, we choose to obey His commandments (John 14:15)

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded His disciples "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Scripturally, water baptism is administered to candidates who are adults (at an age of maturity) that are saved, by their personal desire, personal request, and by personal confession (that Jesus is Lord of their lives). It is a symbolic gesture identifying in the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ on our behalf (Romans 6:3-4). Thus, it is administered by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Therefore pouring, sprinkling, and even infant or child baptism are unacceptable according to God's word. We do not find anyone in scripture baptized by these methods. Our Lord Jesus, when he was 30 years old, set an example by being baptized by immersion (in the river Jordan). Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-17

It is imperative for every believer to Go, Teach, Baptize, and Disciple. Christians DO NOT have a choice regarding this. To every obedient child, He has promised His presence (Matthew 28:20).

So, why wait any longer? Go and be baptized.