Why Baptize?

Why do churches of Christ baptize? This is a question that is worthy of an answer; and I will do just that from God’s Word, the book that is called the BIBLE!

Most people who request to be baptized do so wanting to become Christians. Now to be a Christian is an attempt to be like Jesus: (1 Pet 2:21) “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” It is a known fact that Jesus, Himself was baptized: (Matt 3:13 – 15) “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  ¹⁴But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  ¹⁵And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Please notice why Jesus submitted to be baptized by John; it was to “fulfill all righteousness”. We also know that Jesus had NO SIN in His life: (1 Pet 2:22) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” Therefore we must conclude that Jesus’ reply to John was correct, Jesus was baptized because it was the right thing to do.

However, we are unlike Jesus for we have ALL had sin in our lives: (Rom 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”. Our baptism is different than Jesus’ baptism because we are sinners; yet it is still the right thing to do. What makes it the right thing to do should be asked and answered. We baptize because baptism removes sin: (Acts 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” We baptize because baptism saves: (1 Pet 3:21) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” We baptize because baptism washes away sin: (Acts 22:16) “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”  We do not believe that there is anything special about the water that is used in baptism: (1 Pet 3:21) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” There is no special cleansing power in the water, but we do have a good conscience because we have done what God wants us to do.

In the churches of Christ we baptize because Jesus commanded the act of baptism: (Matt 28:19) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” We respect this commandment of Jesus because He has be given all authority: (Matt 28:18) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” So we see that Jesus not only submitted to baptism Himself, He commanded for all people [“all nations” Cf. Matthew 28:19].

In the churches of Christ the only baptism we practice is a baptism by immersion; some would ask “Why”? The Word of God teaches that baptism is a burial: (Col 2:12) “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. You simply cannot bury anything by pouring or sprinkling; there has to be a lot of water: (John 3:23) “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” 

In the churches of Christ we baptize because that is how we “put on Christ” and how “we get into Christ”: (Gal 3:27) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 

There is one question that remains, “Have you been scripturally baptized”? If you answer “No” you have need to be buried with Christ in baptism for the remission of sin before it is too late!