Why won't you be baptized?

If you’ve accepted Christ’s salvation and have been attending church services regularly, yet baptism is what you’ve always avoided, perhaps you should ask: What is holding you back for Jesus?

Don’t you love Him enough and desire to be baptized in His name, to let people know that, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ? If you’re not willing to take the first step in committing yourself to Him publicly, frankly, I don’t see how you could possibly grow in love for Christ.

A Christian who avoids baptism is just like a lover who desires to live a life with you but marriage is something he or she won’t consider. How could it be possible for one enjoying a new life without such a commitment?

Listen to what Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born [again] – of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, you must be born again.” (John 3:5-7)

Jesus is serious about being born again. Every time when He begins by “I tell you the truth,” or “truly, truly I tell you,” you don’t want to miss what He intended to emphasize.

Aren’t you serious about being born again? Baptism is your first step, so what are you waiting for? What is the main reason that you can’t surrender your life to Him yet?

Are you still holding onto something from your past? Are you still serving another master right now? Are you hindered by your unconfessed sins, or is it because pride has prevented you from doing so? Whatever reasons they might be, you should talk to your pastor and work out the problems with God’s help.

Baptism is a Holy Sacrament commissioned by Jesus. Faithful Christians do not take baptism lightly, neither pastors nor theologians, neither John the Baptist nor God Himself. When Jesus was baptized, heaven opened; the Holy Spirit descended and a voice was heard from heaven.

When you are baptized in His name - you are JESUS’ DISCIPLE. You are God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God - able to joyfully declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Amen.