I was baptised when I was two years old. Although the denomination I was raised in practices infant baptism, my mom wanted me to have some idea what was happening, so she waited. As I grew older, I became part of a church that celebrated believer’s baptism. This is the tradition that once someone makes a conscious decision to entrust their lives to Christ, the next step is to be baptized. There was something in me that rebelled at the idea that I “needed” to be baptized again. I was offended at the suggestion that my faith wasn’t good enough, and that what I had done as a child didn’t count.
Whenever we can use the word ‘rebelled’ to describe our response, it’s usually not a good sign. I don’t think that baptism is necessary for salvation. After all, the thief on the cross had no time to be baptized and Jesus still said, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43) But I do think obedience is always essential (John 14:15). And God is faithful to keep working in us until we love Him more than we love getting our own way.
Here’s the real truth – I’m not good enough. I’ve never been good enough and I never will be. And anything that I can do, no matter how great it is, doesn’t count when it comes to the massive debt I’ve racked up. That’s precisely why I need a Savior. Once I realized that not being baptized was more about stubborn pride than right theology, I knew that I needed to get wet.
It seems like once we’ve decided to do the right thing, then everything should go smoothly, but I’ve rarely seen that play out in real life. Because once we decide to be obedient, we’re going to encounter opposition. And that’s precisely what happened for me. I can’t remember the specifics, but I know I was up all night with one kid or the other. When morning rolled around, I was so exhausted that I wasn’t sure I could even make it to church. What I remember most clearly was the firm conviction that I had an appointment with Death that day, and an enemy who didn’t want me to keep it. He knows that every act of obedience on our part leads us closer to God.
Baptism is more than just a box to check. It’s even more than a public declaration that you’re on God’s team. It’s a visible reenactment of what takes place spiritually. We’re dead, under water, until Christ’s resurrection power raises us to new life. Then we get to begin again.
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4
Did my salvation status change on that day? No, that had been decided years before. But some of my stubborn pride died that day, and that is all to the good. I want whatever is in me that’s not good to die, cut it off and toss it in the fire, drown it in the ocean. Bury it in the grave and then leave it there so that I can move on into the life I truly want. I’d rather keep my appointment with Death on my terms than on his. I want to come with the power of Christ rather than my own resources because with Christ on my side, victory is the only option.