The Meaning Of Believer’s Baptism

The meaning of Believer’s baptism. Christian denominations practice varying forms of baptism and hold different beliefs about its meaning. Here’s a look at its beginning and meaning revealed in scripture.

The meaning of Believer’s baptism. It is an immediate response of following Jesus.

And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (ESV, Matthew 17:6)

Matthew 3:1-17 records the ministry of John the Baptist. He introduced baptism and was baptizing people in the Jordan river who desired to make their life right with God when Jesus began his ministry. Since this was before Jesus was crucified, John baptized them for the repentance of sins. The Greek word for “baptized” in Matthew 3:6 is baptizo, which means to immerse.

When Jesus presents himself to John for baptism we automatically ask why? Wasn’t Jesus free of sin?

John made the same observation. Jesus should baptize him instead of the other way around. And yet, as Jesus emerged from the water following his baptism, God spoke his approval.

This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

Jesus submitted to baptism in obedience to God the Father and as an example for us. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, our immediate response is to follow his example.

An example of this appears in the story of Phillip who witnessed to an Ethiopian Eunich. Right after his conversion, the Eunich asked Phillip to baptize him.

The meaning of Believer’s baptism, It symbolizes Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (ESV, Colossians 2:12)

Today, baptism takes different forms among Christian denominations and has different meanings. But let’s consider what scripture says.

John the Baptist preached a message of repentance and baptized his converts as a response to their confession of sin. But that changed after the resurrection of Jesus. Because now, we confess our sins and repent to him. However, baptism is still an important response, but its meaning is different. And we call it Believer’s baptism because it follows after someone professes faith in Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, it has nothing to do with earning salvation. Because we are saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. But it symbolically pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, new followers of Jesus die to their old life of sin, are buried through baptism, and raised to a new life in Christ.

The Apostle Paul identifies this new life in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

The meaning of Believer’s baptism. It is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ

Following Jesus is a public decision. But the desire for acceptance in the culture is a real and powerful pressure. And it tells us to remain quiet about our faith. Especially if we want to be accepted by others in society. That it’s a private matter and unsuitable for public discourse. Therefore, don’t acknowlege Jesus openly in your daily life. Save that for church on Sunday.

But that’s not what Jesus instructs in Matthew 28:19-20.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Of course Jesus understands the pressure of the culture. He faced it himself. Both from people inside and outside of his religious community. But he remained courageously and uncompromisingly steadfast. And was finally crucufied for it. But he challenges us to remain steadfast too. Along with a warning.

If you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father in heaven.

God’s word is timeless, unchanging, and rejected by today’s culture. To follow its truth and declare Jesus as Lord sets you against mainstream ideology. And to publically demonstrate the decision through baptism calls for personal committment and courage. But is completely worth it.

About Chip Tudor:

Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.