It's Time to Get Baptized!

Have you been baptized since you put your faith in Jesus?

In Acts 16, we can see several principles about Biblical baptism.  The story is set in the city of Philippi.  Paul and Silas were were flogged and put in jail for their ministry, and through a miraculous series of events, they led the prison guard to faith in Christ, along with his entire household, and baptized them.  Take a look at Acts 16:31-34:

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house.
33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized.
34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.

Notice several important principles about baptism:

1. Baptism is not salvific.  Paul did not tell the jailer to be baptized for salvation, but to "believe in the Lord Jesus."
2. Baptism follows salvation.  The jailer first believed, and then he was baptized.  This means that baptism is not for infants and little children who are not old enough to understand and believe the gospel.  If you have been baptized, but only as an infant, that was not a biblical baptism.  I'm sure it was a special, memorable moment for your parents, but it is not biblical.  You need to be baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ.
3. Baptism should come immediately after conversion.  Verse 33 says, "Right away he and all his family were baptized."  If you are a follower of Jesus but have not yet been baptized, then you are living in disobedience.  It's time to take the plunge.  Baptism is the first step of Christian obedience.  Christ was baptized, and He commands His followers to be baptized (Mt 28:19-20).

Baptism is the public declaration of your new association with Jesus Christ.  It is a coming out party.  It is like putting on the wedding ring of Christianity.  It is meant to be an outward statement of your inward commitment to Jesus.  If you cannot muster the strength and the courage to get baptized, then how will you find the strength and courage to obey Christ with the rest of your life?

This Sunday at Church Acadiana we would like to baptize you.  If you have not yet been baptized, then let me know.  I would love to talk with you about it and help you determine if it is the appropriate next step for you.