Jesus was baptized. But why?
He was the Savior, so He didn't do it to be saved. He was sinless, so He didn't do it to wash away sin.
He did it to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). In other words, to be obedient to his Father in Heaven. This act of obedience sets an example for believers. When we follow Him, we show it by doing what he did and getting baptized.
In his Great Commission, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus gives us the mandate to baptize those who come to faith in Him. This is a command, but it is also a privelege. He gave us the authority to celebrate in a public display of faith for ourselves and others.
The reason we can be saved is because Jesus was crucifed and buried, and because He rose again! We get the honor of reenacting His sacrifice and His victory in baptism.
Buried under the water, we show the world that our sinful self is dead. Raised back up, we show the world that we have new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes the believer’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior.
You are saying, “I am a believer and I am putting this stake in the ground to live a life for Jesus Christ. Please help and encourage me along the way, and hold me accountable to live for Jesus.”
You are saying, “Jesus has saved me! He can save you too.”
You are saying, “I am choosing to follow You, and I want others to know about my love for You. Thank You for sending Jesus to save me, and please guide me in pointing others to Jesus.”
Obedience in baptism happens after a person’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ. It is an outward demonstration of saving faith. In Christ’s Great Commission and in the history book of the early church, baptism follows a profession of faith (Acts 2:41, 8:12-13, and 18:8).
A person must first trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, and then be baptized. For this reason, we do not baptize infants. We do encourage parents to publicly dedicate their children to the Lord. Children who want to be baptized should meet with the Director of Children’s Ministry.