The Power of a Baptism

Have you ever had a moment so meaningful that it shaped your entire perspective?

That’s what baptism is supposed to be. It is more than a tradition or a church ceremony. It is a public declaration of faith, a personal marker of transformation, and a powerful symbol of what God has done in your life.

But if we are honest, many people are unsure what baptism is really about. Is it just a ritual? Does it make you more saved? Is it optional or essential?

In this message, we looked at what the Bible says about baptism. And what we discovered is this: baptism does not save you, but it says something powerful about your salvation. When it is done with the right understanding and heart, it can be one of the most defining moments of your life.

Baptism Is a Picture of the Gospel

Baptism is full of symbolism. When someone goes under the water and comes back up, it is a visual picture of the gospel itself. That is exactly what Romans 6:3–5 explains. Just as Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, we identify with Him through baptism.

Going into the water represents dying to your old self. Coming up from the water represents being raised to walk in new life.

That means baptism is not just a personal moment. It is a proclamation of what Jesus has done in you. It says, “The old me is gone. I belong to Jesus now.”

And that is something worth celebrating.

Baptism Doesn’t Save You, But It Shows That You Are Saved

Let’s be clear. You are not saved by water. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

If baptism were necessary for salvation, then the thief on the cross would not have entered paradise. But Jesus told him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). There was no time for baptism. Only belief. And that was enough.

Still, baptism matters deeply. It is a step of obedience. It is often the first public step in following Jesus. And for many people, it is a moment when everything becomes real.

Baptism tells the world, “I am with Jesus, and I am not turning back.”

Baptism Is a Step of Obedience, Not Just a Symbol

In Acts 8, we read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. After hearing the gospel, the eunuch believes in Jesus and asks, “What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Philip doesn’t hesitate. They stop the chariot, and he is baptized right then and there.

This story shows us that baptism was immediate and important. There was no waiting period or extended class. When someone believed in Jesus, baptism naturally followed.

This does not mean baptism is required for faith, but it does mean that faith is meant to be expressed. And one of the first ways believers express their faith is through baptism.

If you have trusted in Jesus but have never been baptized, the biblical response is simple. Get baptized. Not to be saved, but because you are saved. It is not about checking a box. It is about obedience.

It Is Personal, But It Is Not Private

Some people hesitate to get baptized because it feels vulnerable. It is public. It invites attention. And that can be uncomfortable.

But following Jesus was never meant to be private.

Baptism is not about performance. It is about proclamation. It tells your family, your church, and the watching world that your life now belongs to Christ.

It is personal, yes. But it is also communal. The early church celebrated baptisms with joy. They were not quiet moments. They were moments of praise and encouragement.

We should recover that kind of joy. Every baptism is a reminder that God is still saving, still calling, still transforming lives.

If You Are a Follower of Jesus and Have Not Been Baptized, Take the Step

Maybe you grew up in church but never got baptized as a believer. Maybe you were baptized as a baby, but not since you personally came to faith. Maybe you have been following Jesus privately but never made it public.

If that is you, baptism is your next step.

It does not make you a Christian. But it boldly identifies you as one. It is a moment that can mark your faith journey in a new and powerful way.

And if you have already been baptized, let it serve as a reminder. You died with Christ. You have been raised with Him. You are walking in newness of life. Live like it. Celebrate it.

Final Thought

Baptism is not about earning God’s love. It is about responding to it.

It is not about being perfect. It is about declaring that Jesus is perfect, and you are trusting Him completely.

If you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus, then the water is waiting. It is time to take that step and tell the world what He has done in you.

If you would like to take this important step in your christian journey, send me an email at marc.likins@harvest2you.org.