Brother Jackie took my hand in his as he helped me into the baptismal. The water heater had broken the night before, and the water was freezing.

My six-year-old self shivered as he baptized me in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I came out of the water cold but exhilarated.

A few weeks before, I popped out of bed and ran crying to my parents. The weight of my sin burdened me. It was that night I knew I was a sinner in need of a Savior. The only Savior. Jesus Christ.

It was that night I called on the name of the Lord and believed.

I knew the next step was being baptized.

What does the Bible say about Baptism and why is it important?

Let’s look at Acts 8: 36-38

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”

From these two verses we see why we believe what we believe about being baptized.

Lessons from Acts 8 About Baptism

1. The Requirement For Baptism Is Faith In Jesus Christ

Without belief in Christ, the sprinkling of water or even full submersion does not fulfill the requirements of what God asks of us. 

2. Biblical Baptism Is Being Fully Submerged In Water

Being submerged in the water represents death to sin, and emerging from the water represents the cleansed, holy life that follows salvation. 

Romans 6:4 puts it this way: 

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

3. A New Believer Should Be Baptized As Soon As Possible.

Notice in vs 38, the eunuch, after hearing the gospel and believing, immediately went down to the water to be baptized. He understood that baptism is the first act of obedience God asks of us.

In Conclusion

Why is Baptism Important?

Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. Just before His ascension, Jesus said, 

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). 

These instructions specify that the church is responsible to teach Jesus’ word, make disciples, and baptize those disciples. 

So, if for no other reason, baptism has importance because Jesus commanded it.