Water Baptism is a moment of power and is one of the three main sacraments instituted by God for the church, the other two being Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Communion.
One of the first things Jesus did at the start of his ministry was to get water baptised. When we get saved and become a follower of Jesus this should be one of the first things we do as well.
BAPTISM MEANS “TO IMMERSE, TO SUBMERSE AND TO EMERGE”. NOT A SPRINKLE OR A SPLASH, BUT A SOAKING.
BAPTISM IS:
1) DYING TO THE OLD LIFE AND BEING RAISED TO LIVE A NEW ONE
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
—Romans 6:3-4
In baptism we are identifying with Jesus dying for our sins; our sins and old nature being buried with Him (as we go down into the water), and then being raised to live a new life in Him(as we come out of the water), just as He was raised from the dead. The identification may be symbolic but a power is released to set us free from the old way of life and release new life in us, just as if we had actually been in Christ when He died and rose again. This is one of God’s ordained moments of power!
2) OBEDIENCE TO JESUS
“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”
—Matthew 28:19
These were some of the last words Jesus spoke before going to Heaven, and carry great significance.
Jesus was baptised and is our example in everything we do in life.
3) PUBLIC DECLARATION OF YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 10:32-33
Deciding to follow Jesus is truly and internal heart decision, but baptism is a public declaration of our faith. It is an outward sign of the decision we’ve made in our heart.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTISED?
Baptism is the next step after salvation. Baptism is not salvation itself. Salvation is by grace through faith alone.
Once you have been saved, there should be no delay in you getting baptised. Come as you are.