A person should be baptized so he can be saved from sin. Until one is baptized, his sins are intact. When Peter preached to those gathered at Pentecost, they were convicted of their sin. Luke says they were pierced to the heart...and said, Brethren, what shall we do? Peter’s answer was simple: Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-38). What if those gathered there that day chose not repent? What if they chose not to be baptized? We may conclude that they would not have been forgiven of sin.

Consider also Saul of Tarsus. Many believe Saul was saved on the road to Damascus. Some say the words of Ananias prove this when he calls Saul "brother" in Acts 9:17. But, weren’t Saul and Ananias "brothers" already since they were both Jews? Those who teach that Saul was saved when Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus have some explaining to do. For example, how do they know Saul was saved on the road? In Acts 9:6 he was told, get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do. Then, he was told to get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22:16). Those who believe he was saved on the road to Damascus are forced to conclude that Saul was saved with his sins still in tact because Ananias clearly told him to be baptized so his sins would be washed away. Added to these thoughts are the words of Jesus Himself where He said, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned (Mark 16:16).

A person should be baptized so he can be born again. Jesus said, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3) He also said, unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) When Jesus speaks of being born of water, he is speaking of baptism. We are born again because Paul says baptism enables us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). In baptism the old man (the man of sin) is rendered inoperable by our burial in a watery grave. It (baptism) is the line of demarcation between old and new. It is the beginning of our spiritual life! The Christian is someone who has been taken out from among those who are dead in sin! When one is baptized, God forgives the sins of the past. It is as if they never happened! Baptism liberates us from the shackles of guilt and dread. It enables us to begin living in Jesus. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

A person should be baptized because it is a command of God. Obedience is necessary to be pleasing to God! Jesus said, if you love Me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15). The Hebrew writer said, Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation. Some will say that obedience negates God’s part of salvation. It doesn’t! God did His part by offering stubborn, rebellious, and prideful human beings the opportunity to be saved from sin. This is something He did not have to do, but did so because of his extreme grace, mercy, and love! We read of his love in John 3:16 and 1 John 4:9-10. God freely offers salvation to all who respond to His conditions for salvation. Baptism, just like faith, repentance, and confession, is absolutely necessary for salvation. It, along with the others are works of faith. We do these things, trusting that God will forgive us, as He promises He will.

These are three simple reasons why one should be baptized. Please do not discount something that has been ordained of God. Humble yourself so that you will gladly obey His conditions of salvation. Respond out of your gratefulness and appreciation for His mercy and love for you. Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins?