Why Baptism?
Today, we are getting back to the basics. We are going to look at a subject that is hopefully less controversial than all of the turmoil in our current climate: baptism. There are some doctrines that absolutely must be believed, otherwise one is not a Christian at all. There are other doctrines that are important, but to disagree does not put one outside the faith. That is not to say these doctrines don’t matter, but simply that one could disagree and still be considered a Christian. Baptism is one of those areas of theology.
Jesus placed great importance on baptism. Jesus’ public ministry begins with his baptism in Matthew 3 and concludes with the call to baptize His disciples in Matthew 28. Clearly baptism matters. Matthew 3 helps Christians understand why baptism matters.
First, baptism demonstrates repentance. Before we read about Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17, we see John baptizing people in the wilderness in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a forerunning to prepare the way for the Messiah. John’s message was to call people to repentance. Although you might think this offended people, people responded in droves, coming and confessing their sins. To repent means to change your mind and thus change your direction. Just as John the Baptist, Jesus called people to repent (Matt. 4:17). The early church preached the same message. Even Jesus’ letters to the churches in the book of Revelation contain that same message: “Repent.” Repentance is not just for the unclean masses, but repentance is for all people. John the Baptist made it clear that even the Pharisees and Sadducees who were outwardly righteous needed to repent. Repentance plays no favorites. Romans 3:23 makes it plain: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” John also made clear that repentance was more than a feeling of remorse but actually resulted in changed actions. He told his hearers to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8). Those who were baptized demonstrated their repentance and then followed through with a life that honored God. This is why the order of baptism matters. John baptized people after their repentance, just like you see in Acts 2 and through the rest of the New Testament. John wouldn’t baptize the Pharisees because they didn’t repent. To follow the biblical pattern, baptism ought to occur following our turning to Christ and repenting of our sins.
Second, baptism demonstrates a new beginning. For Jesus, he needed no repentance. John initially wouldn’t baptize Jesus because of this. He argued that Jesus should be the one to baptize him. Jesus told John to do this in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt. 3:15). Jesus’ baptism was not about repentance but about righteousness. Jesus’ baptism was the initiation, or the inauguration, of his public ministry and was all about carrying out what the Father had sent the Son to accomplish. For Jesus, his baptism demonstrated the new beginning of God’s kingdom, but for Jesus’ followers today, our baptism demonstrates the new beginning of a life that has been changed by Christ. This is why our method of baptism matters. Jesus went down into the Jordan river to be immersed in the water. Immersion pictures death to an old way of life and resurrection into a new life.
Finally, baptism demonstrates obedience. As Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove in a visible manifestation and the Father’s voice was heard: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” The Father was pleased with Jesus’ actions. When we are baptized today we are following Jesus’ example as well as the command He gave in the Great Commission.
That’s why we baptize. We demonstrate repentance, a new beginning, and obedience when we are baptized. As important as it is for us to understand all these things about baptism, it is even more important for followers of Jesus to live out these same values that our baptism portrays.