One of the first questions many new believers ask is, “Now that I have trusted Christ, what should I do next?” The answer given repeatedly throughout the New Testament is simple: follow the Lord in baptism.
Baptism has been misunderstood, debated, and even neglected, but the Bible presents it as a joyful act of obedience and public testimony. It is not something to fear, nor is it merely a religious ceremony. Baptism is one of the first opportunities a Christian has to declare openly, “I belong to Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Set the Example
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He came to John the Baptist at the Jordan River. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” (Matthew 3:13)
John was surprised. He knew that Jesus had no sins to confess and no need of repentance. “But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” (Matthew 3:14)
Jesus answered: “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15)
Our Lord was baptized, not because He was a sinner, but because He desired to obey the Father’s will and identify Himself with those He came to save (“us”). If the sinless Son of God submitted Himself to baptism, surely His followers should do the same.
When Jesus came up out of the water, the Father spoke from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Baptism was pleasing to the Father then, and obedience still pleases Him today.
Baptism Is a Command of Christ
After His resurrection, Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them what we know as the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19)
Notice the order: 1.) Make disciples. 2.) Baptize them. 3.) Teach them to observe all of Christ’s commands.
Baptism is not optional for the believer. It is one of the first acts of obedience Christ commanded His followers to observe.
Who Should Be Baptized?
The New Testament pattern is remarkably consistent. People first believed the gospel and then were baptized.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached Christ crucified and risen again. The Bible says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41). Receiving the Word came first. Baptism followed.
The Ethiopian eunuch heard Philip preach Jesus unto him. Upon seeing water, he asked: “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36)
After believing, he was baptized.
The Philippian jailor cried out: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
Paul answered: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
Later that same night, after hearing the Word of God, the jailor and his household were baptized.
Throughout the book of Acts, the order never changes: Faith first. Baptism second.
For this reason, Baptists have historically spoken of “believer’s baptism.” Baptism is reserved for those who have personally trusted Christ as Savior.
What Does Baptism Mean?
Baptism is a picture. It does not save us, but it beautifully illustrates what Christ has already done for us. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
When a believer enters the water, he testifies to three great truths:
Christ Died for Me – Jesus bore our sins upon the cross and paid the debt we could never pay.
Christ Was Buried – His burial proved that His death was real.
Christ Rose Again – On the third day, Jesus triumphed over death and the grave.
As the believer is lowered beneath the water, it pictures burial. As he rises again, it pictures resurrection and the new life found in Christ.
Paul says in Colossians: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God.” (Colossians 2:12)
“Baptism is the gospel in picture form.”
Baptism Declares a New Beginning
Romans 6 teaches that believers are to “walk in newness of life.” Baptism is a public declaration that we have changed masters. The old life no longer defines us. We have been united with Christ, and we desire to follow Him. The waters of baptism do not make us perfect, but they do signify that we belong to the One who is making us new.
What Baptism Does Not Do
One of the greatest misunderstandings surrounding baptism is the idea that baptism itself washes away sin.
The apostle Peter addressed this directly: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21). Peter explained that baptism is not a physical washing. It is a testimony arising from a conscience that has already been cleansed by faith in Christ.
The Bible repeatedly teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
If baptism were necessary to save us, salvation would depend partly upon a work we perform. But Scripture teaches that salvation is entirely the gift of God received by faith.
One of the clearest examples is the thief on the cross. He had no opportunity to be baptized, yet Jesus said: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
The thief was saved by faith alone.
“Baptism does not produce salvation; it proclaims salvation.”
Why Baptism by Immersion?
When Jesus was baptized, “Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16)
Likewise, Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch: “went down both into the water” and afterward “came up out of the water.” (Acts 8:38-39)
The Greek word translated “baptize” means “to immerse” or “to dip.”
Immersion best portrays the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is not merely a mode of baptism—it is part of the picture itself.
Baptism and the Local Church
The first believers did not live isolated Christian lives.
Acts 2 says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41). And immediately afterward: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Baptism marked their public identification with Christ and with His people. It was not the finish line of the Christian life. It was the starting line.
A Beautiful Testimony
Every baptism service tells the same story. It proclaims that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. It declares that salvation is found in Christ alone. It announces that a believer has trusted the Savior and desires to follow Him. Baptism is not about earning salvation.
It is about identifying with the One who has already saved us.
Like a wedding ring does not make a person married but testifies that they are married, baptism does not make someone a Christian, but it testifies that they already belong to Christ.
So if you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and have never followed Him in believer’s baptism, why not take that next step of obedience?
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)