BGEA: I gave my life to Jesus. Should I be baptized now?

I've led a pretty rough life, to be honest, but a couple of months ago I gave my life to Jesus, and it's been like night and day. I can't believe I didn't do this long ago, because He's really changed my life. Should I be baptized now? I didn't grow up in a Christian family. — R.H.

Yes, I would certainly encourage you to talk with your pastor about baptism. Baptism is a public sign that you have now put your faith in Christ and are taking an open stand for Him.

It also is a sign that Jesus has now washed away all your sins. Think of it: You have been cleansed of every sin you've ever committed, because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you! You aren't saved because of anything you have done; you are saved only because you have put your faith and trust in Christ and what He has already done for you. The Bible says Christ "saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

Let me add one other thought. No, you didn't grow up in a Christian family. But now you are part of one, because now you have countless brothers and sisters in Christ, and God is now your Father! Thank God for this, and ask Him to help you learn from them.

No matter who we are or what we have done, God still loves us and wants to forgive us if we will but turn in faith to Christ. This has been your experience—and it can be the experience of every person reading this.

4 Comments

Shannon says 4.23.2012, 11:29 a.m.

I'm so in agreement with these comments and am so thankful for the answer to this question though would perhaps stress the importance of baptism a little more. So many times in these questions, the baptism is left out of the answers.

Christina N. says 10.16.2011, 10:02 p.m.

Baptism is essential and I pray BGEA is baptizing all of it's new disciples. In each case in the bible, believers were baptized with the invocation of the name of Jesus, even some who had previously been baptized another way. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:3-5; 22:16.) The Epistles also allude repeatedly to the Jesus Name formula. (See Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 1:13; 6:11; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12.) Moreover, the examples in Acts show that the baptism of the Spirit is for everyone and is accompanied by the initial sign of tongues. (See Acts 2:4; 10:44-47; 19:6.) The experience signified by tongues is the promised outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:6-17, 33).

Lee says 5.22.2011, 05:31 a.m.

I read in Acts 2:22-41 where Peter is giving a presentation of the gospel and the people stop Peter in the middle of his sermon and ask what must we do to be saved? Peter replies "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Those who accepted his message were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

david says 4.2.2011, 11:05 p.m.

I am a 4th year seminary student and I would stress that baptism is commanded by Jesus(Mark 16:16). Why is it that some theologians think it is O'k to suggest what God has commanded is an option, when clearly Jesus Himself got baptized and received the full measure of the Holy Spirit out of the waters of that baptism(Mathew 3:16). He shows us what we should do as well as commanding us, should we not do as He does?(John 13:16)