Why Be Baptised?

Jesus commands us

The first reason for baptism is to be found in the Great Commission. Jesus, as he was about to ascend to his Father, said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matt 28:18-20). It is the Lord Jesus who commands his followers to be baptised. What right have you or I to disobey?

So baptism is not dependent upon feelings but rather is, in the first place, an act of obedience. Are you truly a disciple of Jesus? If so, you will want to keep his commandments. Jesus said, ‘You are my friends if you do what I command’ (John 15:14).

Jesus set an example

The command of Jesus is reinforced by his own example in being baptised himself (Matt 3.13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3.21-22). True, John the Baptist did not want to baptise him. But Jesus said ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness’ (Matt 3.15). The same will be true of your baptism. In being baptised you will be doing what ‘God requires’.

There is, of course, a difference between your baptism and the baptism of Jesus. Jesus did not submit to baptism with a view to washing his sins away. Rather in baptism he took his first step to the cross by identifying himself with us in our sinfulness. In contrast, when you are baptised you will be identifying yourself with Jesus in his sinlessness. However, like Jesus you will be submitting yourself to the will of God as you ‘do what God requires’ and, just as Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his ministry, so too your baptism will mark the beginning of your service for God.

The early church practised it

The first Christians took seriously this command of Jesus to baptise. We see this in the Day of Pentecost. Luke tells us that, ‘When the people heard Peter’s sermon they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do!” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!”‘ (Acts 2:37- 38)

Part of the process of becoming a Christian is being baptised. Look carefully through Acts and you will find a whole host of references to baptism. The Ethiopian official was led to Christ and baptised by Philip (Acts 8:26-40); Paul was baptised by Ananias after meeting Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-19); Lydia, the business woman (Acts 16:11-15) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34) were baptised by Paul. It is quite clear that baptism was an integral part of church life. Indeed, in those days it looks as if there was no such thing as an unbaptised Christian.

Paul Beasley-Murray*
*Beasley-Murray P. 1996, ‘Believer’s Baptism’, in Baptist Basics, D. Tidball, and G. Ball (eds). Baptist Foundation of NSW, Glebe, 6-10.

This article was modified from the book Baptist Basics, with permission from The Baptist Foundation of NSW.  To request copies of the book write to: Baptist Foundation of NSW, Private Bag 8, Glebe, NSW 2037 or contact the office at Thornleigh Community Baptist Church.