Baptism by immersion has been a practice of the church since Jesus resurrected, but baptism is more than a symbol, it's a sacrament. It is also more than just the first act of obedience after your conversion. We do baptism a disservice when we say things like that. Baptism is a reenactment on earth that accomplishes something that is happening in heaven. You are reenacting the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. When you come up out of the waters of baptism you are a new person, a new creation. That’s why at Pikes Peak we say bye to anyone who is about to go under the water. Romans 6:4-5 says, “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. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.”
Something actually changes in your baptism. You put on Christ when you go under the water. Galatians 3:27 says, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” The old is gone and the new has come because we have put on Christ. In our baptism we also receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5-6 describes that for us where it says, “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Baptism is not a work, it is not the first act of obedience that we perform. Baptism is a work of God. The text says he washes away our sins, and he gives us new life. He generously pours out his Spirit upon us. It’s all him. It’s his gift. All you have to do is accept it.
