Baptism is crucial for our life of faith. It is the first step for sinners to be forgiven of their sins to enter heaven. Therefore, in order to receive salvation, it is imperative that we undergo Baptism.
Baptism Must Not Be Delayed
Many churches today practice Baptism. However, they do not baptize people until a six-month or one-year study period. This is wrong as it goes against the teachings shown in the Bible. The Bible emphasizes that we must undergo Baptism immediately as we do not know what will happen in the next moment of our lives.
Pr 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
As humans, we do not know what will happen tomorrow, or the next hour, or even the next minute. Then, is there any reason to delay baptism? As soon as we realize the truth, it is essential for us to receive this sign of salvation.
Examples of the Early Church
The early church directly followed Jesus’ teachings. For this reason, we must follow their example. Did the early church delay baptism, waiting six months or a year? No. The Bible directly testifies that once the people listened and realized the words of God, the apostles immediately baptized them.
One example is from apostle Philip who taught the gospel to a Eunuch, and the moment he realized the truth of God, he was baptized.
Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”…Then Philip baptized him.
How many times do you think Philip met the eunuch? This was the first time they met each other. Philip did not delay baptizing the eunuch, but baptized him immediately. There is also the example of apostle Peter.
Acts 10:47-48 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
“They” in this passage are the family members of Cornelius (Ac 10:24-25). Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius whom he met for the first time, and baptized him and his family. It is clear that the apostles of the early church did not wait to conduct Baptism, but baptized immediately as tomorrow is not guaranteed.
No matter the time and the place, baptism was conducted without delay.
About Re-Baptism
It is undeniable that baptism is to be conducted immediately. However, many people are hesitant to be baptized because they were previously baptized in another church. Nevertheless, they have to be re-baptized again. Here is the reason.
Acts 19:3-5 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Although the people were already baptized by John the Baptist, Paul let them be baptized again. This is because if baptism is conducted when there is no promise of salvation, there is no meaning. It is the same now. That is why the people must be re-baptized in the true church so they can receive the sign of salvation.
God’s Blessings in Baptism
Not only do we receive the sign of salvation through baptism, but there are other blessings God has promised as well.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Through baptism, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Is it possible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven if we do not receive the forgiveness of our sins and the Holy Spirit? No.
Baptism is an indispensable teaching of God that enables us to enter the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, we must not delay baptism and be baptized in the true church that keeps all the commands of God to be saved.