What is Baptism?
Baptism is a public way Jesus followers declare their decision to follow Jesus.
A pastor or trusted friend stands with you in a pool (or other body of water) and helps you lean back into the water and come right back up and out.
But why go underwater? It’s a symbol representing Jesus’ death, resurrection, and new life through Him. Leaning back under the water symbolizes your sins being washed away through Jesus’ death. Being raised out of the water is a picture of being brought back to a new life, like Jesus was raised back to life.
This public declaration of our new life with Jesus is similar to the way Jesus Himself was baptized.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and [a]He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV
A pastor or trusted friend stands with you in a pool (or other body of water) and helps you lean back into the water and come right back up and out.
But why go underwater? It’s a symbol representing Jesus’ death, resurrection, and new life through Him. Leaning back under the water symbolizes your sins being washed away through Jesus’ death. Being raised out of the water is a picture of being brought back to a new life, like Jesus was raised back to life.
This public declaration of our new life with Jesus is similar to the way Jesus Himself was baptized.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and [a]He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV
Now, re-read the story and imagine yourself as the person being baptized by John.
What’s the water like?
How does it feel to hear God’s approval?
What does God’s voice say to you specifically?
How do you notice the Holy Spirit’s presence?
Remember, it’s a public declaration that says to the world, “I have decided to follow Jesus!”
How does it feel to hear God’s approval?
What does God’s voice say to you specifically?
How do you notice the Holy Spirit’s presence?
Remember, it’s a public declaration that says to the world, “I have decided to follow Jesus!”