MORE THAN WATER · PART 1 OF 9
Quick answer: Christians are baptized because Jesus asked us to. Baptism doesn’t save anyone. Salvation comes by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Baptism is the natural, joyful response to that salvation: a public declaration, a celebration and an act of obedience that identifies a believer with Jesus.
In this article
Perhaps you’ve recently said yes to following Jesus Christ, and someone has asked, “Have you thought about getting baptized?” Maybe you’ve been attending church for years and have been curious about your infant baptism. Or perhaps you’ve seen or heard stories of people getting baptized and have asked yourself, “Why does this matter so much?”
These are great questions. In fact, if you’re asking them, you’re in good company.
Throughout the Bible’s New Testament, whenever people encountered Jesus, believed the good news of the gospel and said yes to following Him, baptism quickly became not only part of the conversation but also something that followed right away. Not because baptism saved them, but because baptism is the natural, joyful response to the salvation we receive when we say yes to Jesus.
Baptism is a declaration. It’s a celebration and an act of obedience. Ultimately, baptism is a public identification with Jesus Christ. And perhaps most importantly, baptism is one of the first ways a follower of Jesus says to the world, “We belong to Him!”
Let’s begin with what baptism is not. Baptism is not how someone becomes a Christian. You cannot earn God’s forgiveness by being baptized. You cannot wash away your sins through water. You cannot become more accepted by God because you stood in front of a church. The Bible is abundantly clear that salvation comes through God’s grace alone, by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Paul writes:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
— Ephesians 2:8–9
Notice what Paul doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “You are saved through baptism.” He says, “You are saved through faith.” That distinction matters. Because if baptism earned salvation, even a little bit, then salvation would no longer be entirely a gift. Instead, baptism is the response of someone who has already received that gift.
Think of it this way. A wedding ring doesn’t make someone married. The ring is simply the outward symbol of an inward covenant that already exists. If someone loses their wedding ring, they don’t suddenly become unmarried. Likewise, baptism doesn’t create your relationship with Christ. It celebrates the relationship Christ has already established through His saving work.
If baptism doesn’t save us, then why does Jesus place such importance on it? The answer is wonderfully simple. Because Jesus asked us to. Sometimes we search for complicated theological explanations when the greatest reason is simply this: The One who gave His life for us has lovingly invited us to obey Him. Jesus’ final words before ascending into heaven were not merely, “Make disciples.” They were:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”
— Matthew 28:19
Notice how closely those two ideas belong together. Disciples are baptized. Baptized people become disciples. Throughout the book of Acts, that pattern repeats itself over and over again. People hear the gospel. They believe. They are baptized. It isn’t presented as an optional extra. Nor is it portrayed as the finish line of faith. It is one of the very first steps of obedience in the Christian life.
Each of us tells a story with our lives. Our priorities tell a story. Our relationships tell a story. Our calendars tell a story. Our generosity tells a story. Baptism tells a story too. It tells the story that Jesus has changed everything. The Apostle Paul writes:
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.
— Romans 6:4
Think about that picture. As someone goes beneath the water, they are identifying with Christ’s death. As they rise again, they are identifying with Christ’s resurrection. The water doesn’t produce this new life. Jesus does.
But baptism beautifully proclaims what Jesus has already accomplished. It says, “Your old life no longer defines you. Your sins have been forgiven. You have been raised with Christ. You belong to Him.” That’s why baptism is such a powerful testimony, not merely to those watching, but even to the one being baptized. It becomes a milestone you can look back on for the rest of your life.
One question we occasionally hear is, “Why can’t faith just be private?” It’s understandable. Faith is deeply personal. But Scripture never describes it as private. Jesus Himself said:
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 10:32
Throughout the New Testament, faith always found public expression. Not because God needed proof. But because the world needed to see what God had done.
Imagine a young couple who become engaged. Suppose one of them says, “We love each other deeply, but we don’t want anyone to know.” Something would feel incomplete. Love naturally desires to be expressed. The same is true of our relationship with Christ. Baptism becomes one of the first public declarations that our allegiance has changed. We’re no longer living for ourselves. We belong to Jesus.
Sometimes we think of baptism as something that happens only between God and us. Certainly it is personal. But it is never merely individual. One beautiful theme throughout the New Testament is that salvation doesn’t simply reconcile us to God. It welcomes us into God’s family. Through Christ we become brothers and sisters. We become members of one body. We become citizens of another Kingdom.
Baptism celebrates that reality. It tells the Church, “This person is now part of us.” It tells the world, “My identity has changed.” It reminds believers, “I no longer walk alone.” This is one reason baptisms are so joyful. The church isn’t merely watching someone get wet. The church is celebrating another brother or sister whom God has adopted into His family.
For many people, baptism is surprisingly intimidating. Standing in front of others. Sharing your story. Being vulnerable. Perhaps disappointing family members who come from another church tradition. Those fears are real. But they also reveal something important.
Every meaningful step of obedience requires trust. When Peter stepped out of the boat, he didn’t know exactly what would happen. When Abraham left his homeland, he didn’t know where he was going. When Mary said yes to God’s plan, she didn’t understand everything it would cost. Obedience almost always comes before understanding.
Baptism is no different. It’s one of the first opportunities we have to say, “Jesus, because we trust You, we will obey You.” And something remarkable happens. Our faith grows. Not because the water changes us. But because obedience always deepens our relationship with the One we’re following.
Perhaps you’re reading this after following Jesus for many years: serving, leading and raising a family in church, but you have never been baptized. If that’s you, let us encourage you. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from obedience.
We’ve had the privilege of baptizing teenagers, young adults, parents, grandparents, ministry leaders and people who had followed Jesus faithfully for decades before taking this step. Again and again, people tell us afterward that they wish they had taken the step sooner. Obedience replaces regret with joy.
Because Jesus loves you. Because Jesus died for you. Because Jesus rose again for you. Because Jesus has invited you to publicly identify with Him. Because your story might encourage someone else’s faith. Because your obedience matters. Because baptism isn’t the end of your journey. It’s one of the beautiful first steps of a lifetime spent following Jesus.
This article is part of More Than Water, a series on the beauty, meaning and mission of baptism. Start with the complete guide to baptism.
Whether you’re new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, we’d love to celebrate this step with you. Register for baptism, email our pastoral team or call 952.944.6300.
Wooddale Church is a multigenerational, Bible-teaching church in Minnesota with locations in Eden Prairie, Edina and Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota. Whether you’re looking for a church near you, exploring faith for the first time or simply curious about what happens at church, we invite you to join us.
If this article has raised questions, encouraged you or helped you see baptism in a new way, we’d love to continue the conversation. Whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time, considering baptism or simply looking for a church family where you can continue growing in your faith, we’d be honored to walk alongside you. Following Jesus was never meant to be a journey you travel alone.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
