Should a Christian be baptized and when?
The Devotional Answer
Baptism is a beautiful, visible act of devotion. It is your chance to publicly stand up and say, "I am no longer living for myself; my old life is dead, and my new life belongs to Jesus Christ!" Think of it as a wedding ring for your soul.
The ring (baptism) doesn't make you married, but it is the outward symbol that declares your covenant commitment to everyone who sees it.
It is an act of obedience to Jesus, who made it the central command for all His followers, showing your grateful heart that is willing to follow His instruction.
The Simple Answer
Yes, a Christian should be baptized.
Jesus did not suggest baptism; He commanded it:
"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..." — Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
When? A Christian should be baptized as soon as possible after placing faith in Jesus Christ. The biblical pattern is "believe, then be baptized." Baptism is an immediate response of obedience to the internal change that has already happened.
The Deeper Dive:
Baptism is primarily an act of symbolism and identification that publicly seals a private decision.
1. The Meaning of Baptism (Symbolism)
Most Christian traditions that practice "Believer's Baptism" (baptizing those who have personally declared faith) use immersion (going completely underwater) because it beautifully pictures the Gospel story:
Going Under the Water: Symbolizes being buried with Christ; your old life of sin is put to death (Romans 6:4).
Coming Out of the Water: Symbolizes being raised with Christ to walk in a brand-new life, empowered by His resurrection (Colossians 2:12).
Baptism does not save you; salvation comes through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). But baptism is an essential first step of obedience and a public testimony that you belong to Jesus.
2. The Timing of Baptism (The Biblical Pattern)
The New Testament shows an immediate connection between belief and baptism:
The Ethiopian Eunuch: After Philip preached the Gospel to him, the eunuch immediately asked, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36).
The Household of Cornelius: After hearing Peter preach, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and Peter commanded that they be baptized right away (Acts 10:47-48).
The practice is always: Faith First, Baptism Immediately After. There is no scriptural command to wait a long period of time or undergo months of instruction; the only requirement is genuine faith in Christ.
God’s Assurance
God assures you that by following this command, you are officially identifying yourself with the victorious Christ.
When you are baptized, you are declaring to the world, to the church, and to the powers of darkness that you belong to the resurrected Jesus. God sees this act of obedience and honors your public commitment. It is your assurance that you are now part of the worldwide family of God.
Your Takeaway Thought
If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the next step is clear: be baptized! Don't see it as a hurdle or a ritual; see it as the chance to take a visible, joyous step of obedience. Find a church that practices believer's baptism and talk to a pastor or leader. There is no better way to celebrate your new life!
