Getting Baptized

Is getting baptized important?

Well, Jesus certainly thought so.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- John 3:5 (KJV)

Jesus Himself got baptized as well.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV)

As Christians we believe that when we die, we will rise in Christ (who died for our sins). Baptism then is simply a ceremony that shows what you truly believe in your heart. You show to God that you're serious about being a Christian.

Baptism should be a conscious decision, so babies shouldn't be baptized.

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
- Acts 8:37-38 (KJV)

Sprinkling doesn't count either. It needs to be a full immersion. The Greek word for baptism is "baptizo" which means "to immerse".

Baptism is normally done in some sort of font (or even outside if you can find a nice spot).


- Me, and Pastor Ben Reynolds (24 November 2015)

If you can't find a church to help you, then simply ask a Christian friend to baptize you. In a bath tub if you have to. God knows your heart.

Getting baptized is also a great opportunity to show others what your faith means to you.

Ellen White puts it like this:

Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, and Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God. The three great powers in heaven are witnesses; they are invisible but present.
- Ellen White, The Faith I Live By, p. 146

A special day for sure!