Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward decision.
It’s a lot like a wedding ring. The wedding ring tells everybody that I’m married. But it doesn’t make me married. It is a symbol of the commitment and decision that was made, and the relationship entered into.
It is also a celebration and a way to say, “I meant it when I trusted Christ as my Savior, and I believe He did come into my life, forgave me of my sins, and gave me new life that will never end.”
This is why baptism in the Bible is always of believers, people who have made their own personal decision to trust Christ as their Savior.
Notice the order that Jesus gave the disciples in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
“Go therefore, and make disciples,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit….”
Those who have become disciples are then baptized. Again, notice the order:
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).
Why were only believers baptized? Because baptism is a testimony of what happened to a believer spiritually the instant they trusted Christ as their Savior. At that moment, God says the “old you” died with Christ—just as if you had been with Jesus on the Cross! And God raised you from the dead to walk in a new life with the same power He used to raise Jesus from the dead:
“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4).
So, when you go down into that water you’re telling everyone you believe Christ died for your sins and the “old you” died with Him. And when you come up out of that water, you’re telling everyone you believe Christ rose from the dead and that you have been raised up with Him.
But, just like a wedding ring is a symbol of my marriage, water baptism is a symbol of what God did. It doesn’t make sense to wear a wedding ring before you are married, nor does it make sense to get baptized before you personally believe in Christ on your own and share in His death and resurrection.
If you were baptized as a baby or before you trusted Christ as your savior you need to be baptized if you are now a believer. While only faith in Christ saves you, not water baptism, you will want to obey Jesus’ command and celebrate with us what Christ has done for you!