The document discusses reasons why people get baptized. It states that Jesus commanded baptism as a sign of repentance and obedience. Baptism publicly declares that one has accepted Jesus and had their sins washed away, though it does not itself save or wash away sins. The document emphasizes that salvation comes from accepting Jesus as Savior, not from baptism itself, which is merely a symbolic act of obedience after salvation. It encourages readers to accept Jesus and get baptized soon after.

1. WHY PEOPLE GET BAPTIZED

2. It is a command from Jesus.
“Therefore, 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.”
Matthew 28:19-20

3. It is a public sign of repentance.
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.
Acts 2:38

4. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
John 14:15
People who want to follow God should do what God wants them to
do!
Simple enough.
Jesus was baptized.
He asked his disciples to be baptized. He asked his disciples to
baptize others who believed in Him. When we love him we want to
follow him and do what he commands us to do. He commands that
everyone who chooses to follow him and to call themselves
“Christian” should be baptized.

5. It is a way of telling your family and
friends that Jesus is in your life.
The Philippian jailer brought Paul and Silas out of the
prison and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved’ . . . He
and all his family were baptized . . . The whole family was
filled with joy, because they had come to believe in God.”
Acts 16:30-34

6. All of us can remember an occasion when we attended a
wedding or watched one on T.V. A wedding is simply a
symbol of a man and a woman’s love for each other. This
symbol is an outward sign of their inward love. The
ceremony is a way of showing friends and family how much
they love each other. The wedding is not when they fell in
love, just a sign that they are in love and commit
themselves to each other.

7. In the same way getting baptized is not “the” moment you
fall in love with Jesus, it is an outward sign of the inward
commitment that you have already made to follow Jesus.
Baptism should take place very soon after you make a
commitment to follow Jesus. When it does happen, it
must happen AFTER you accept Jesus as your Lord and
Savior and it is only a SIGN of what has already happened
in your heart – that is the act of obedience to Jesus. This
sign is for your friends, family, and the church to witness.

8. It is a way of telling others that Jesus
washed your sins away.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9

9. Baptism, as an act of obedience, is only a symbol of what
God has already done in your life. It has no magic power or
ability to wash away sins. Only Jesus can wash away your
sins. This happens when you ask Him into your life to be
your Lord and Savior. The symbol of water is a cleansing
symbol of what Jesus did when He saved you.
Your baptism is a public declaration of your new start.
Dead to the world, alive in Christ!

10. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
YOU ARE BAPTIZED

11. Being Baptized does not save you or
wash away your sin.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved . . . “
Acts 16:31

12. Only by confessing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior
will you receive salvation. Once you have received
salvation you are ready for baptism. You do not have to be
a bible scholar to be baptized, you don’t have to be a good
person or sinless to be baptized. You don’t have to finish a
church study course to be baptized. You don’t have to have
permission from anyone to be baptized. You just have to
trust Jesus to be your Lord and Savior! He is the one who
washes away your sins, not the act of baptism.

13. Not being baptized does not keep
you from being saved.
“Jesus replied, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise.’”
Luke 23:39-43

14. Two thieves were crucified next to Jesus, one on the left, one on the
right. One their believed in Jesus and asked Him to allow him to be
saved. The other did not. To the one who did, Jesus promised that he
would be with Jesus in paradise. Did this thief have a chance to get off
the cross and get baptized before he died? No. He died and then
went to be with Jesus in paradise. He was never baptized. Baptism is
not required for salvation, just as a sign of obedience. Should we get
baptized? Of course, certainly, yes, and yes again!!! If something
prevents us from being baptized will we still go to heaven? Of
course, certainly, yes, and yes again!!! Should we purposely delay our
baptism out of fear, procrastination, or disobedience? NO!

15. Baptism is a symbol of what happens
in someone’s life after they accept
Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
We are buried in his death and raised in life.
Romans 6:3-8

16. Baptism is a sign of being buried with him in death to our former sinfilled life as an unbeliever AND raised with him into a new life as a
born again believer going to heaven!
Baptism does not make that happen, it is just a symbol that we are
obedient to Jesus and that we share with Him His death and His
resurrection.

17. HAVE YOU INVITED JESUS TO COME
INTO YOUR LIFE?

18. This is the most important question that you need to answer. If not
you can pray this simple prayer right now and know that you are saved
and ready for heaven and for baptism. Simply pray . . .
“Jesus, I am a sinner. I want to ask you to come into my life and save
me from my life of sin. I want to be re-born as a Christian. I want you
to become the Lord and Savior of my life. – AMEN”
If you prayed this prayer today or sometime before today Jesus will
honor His word and will come into your life. Now it is important that
you listen to Him and begin to obey His commandments to live the life
He is calling you to live. The first step in this process is to be baptized
as a sign of your obedience to Him.

19. To join the Godlife vision:
• www.godlifechurch.co.za
• info@godlifechurch.co.za
• Search for ‘Godlife Church’ on Facebook.