[Step 3] New Believer's Series - Your Formal Public Appearance!

Oct 20, 20204 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2023

This post is part of a series of core Christian principles for new believers. For more, visit the series archive.

This post will cover the basic aspects of your first official appearance as a Christian, your public debut!

Now that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord (master) and Savior (rescuer), your next step is to be baptized.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...” - Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

What is Baptism?

Water Baptism is an outward display of acceptance and admission into Christianity.

You essentially tell the world that you love Jesus, want to follow His commandments, and are dead to your old ways of living.

Christians are saved by our faith in Jesus alone.

Baptism by water does not bring forgiveness or salvation to anyone.

However, this public show of obedience is a meaningful part of your spiritual growth.

"...not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."              - 1 Peter 3:21 (NSAB)

Should I be baptized?

Historically, the Baptism of Repentance for the forgiveness of sin is biblically seen with John The Baptist. (Mark 1:4-5)

People would go to John, confessing their sins(wrongdoings), and be baptized in the river. John knew that this act of washing away the sins was only temporary. (Acts 19:4)

Today, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit (not water) the instant we believe.

Immediately your spirit life is born, The Holy Spirit comes to live in you, and you are enabled to communicate personally with God. (Acts 11:16)

If the Spirit baptizes us, then why be baptized in water?

We are all commanded by God to be baptized by water. Even Jesus, having no sin to wash away, was baptized by John out of pure obedience to God.

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized." 
- Matthew 3:13-15 (CSB)

When you are submerged underwater, it symbolizes that you are joined with Jesus in His death and burial. As you come up, you are raised with Him at His resurrection into a new life. (Colossians 2:12) and (Romans 6:4)

You can get baptized anywhere there is water. It doesn't necessarily have to be at Church or in a river. (Acts 8:36-38)

Typically, you're surrounded by loved ones and witnesses as you verbally confess your new belief in Jesus Christ. After this confirmation, you will be lowered into the water and then raised swiftly.

Baptism should be lead and performed by an ordained pastor/leader with experience.

If a pastor is unobtainable, then a mature believer in good standing with God and is knowledgeable of His Word can responsibly oversee the baptism. (1 Peter 2:9)

What is christening/baby baptism?

The acceptance of Jesus Christ is an individual and personal choice.

A parent/guardian can not make the decision of salvation on behalf of another.

With that being said, I prefer to look at christening as a display of dedication.

The guardian is publicly committing a child's life to God by choosing to raise them under biblical principles.

Illustration: You can dress a child in your college alma mater, favorite sports team gear, or groom them to be a certain way. Ultimately, as adults, they will choose for themselves the direction of their life.

Are baby dedications biblical?

Absolutely, there are cases in the Bible where parents have dedicated their child to God.

Here are a few:

Manoah and his wife, the parents of Samson - Judges 13
Hannah, the mother of Samuel - 1 Samuel 1
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist - Luke 1

Should I be re-baptized?

If you were forcefully baptized or christened, then I think it is appropriate to be 're-baptized' if you wish.

However, if you willingly chose to profess your belief in Jesus, even at a young age, you should not be initiated into Christianity again.

To be baptized a second time is a symbol of division within ourselves and among the Church. (Ephesians 4:5)

Scriptures:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" - 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)