Thinking About Baptism?
Wesley Morgan
November 30, 2025
Thinking About Baptism? Here’s What It Really Means
A simple guide for kids and adults—rooted in what we believe at First Baptist Church.
Baptism is one of the most beautiful moments in the life of a follower of Jesus. It’s more than a tradition, more than getting wet, and more than a ceremony—it’s a public declaration of a new life in Christ.
If you’re thinking about getting baptized, or helping your child understand baptism, this guide will walk you through what it is, why it matters, and what it symbolizes.
1. What Is Baptism?
At First Baptist Church, we believe baptism is an act of obedience that takes place after someone has trusted in Jesus for salvation.
Baptism does not save a person—Jesus does. Baptism is our first step of obedience after salvation.
Kid-Friendly Illustration:
Think of baptism like putting on a team jersey.
You don’t become part of the team because you put on the jersey—you put on the jersey because you’re already part of the team!
Baptism is our way of saying, “I’m with Jesus. I belong to Him.”
2. Why Do We Get Baptized?
Three simple reasons:
A. Because Jesus Commanded It
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples… baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:19).
Obedience is an expression of love: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15).
B. Because Jesus Was Baptized
When you get baptized, you are following His example.
He showed us this is something every believer should do.
C. Because It Tells the World You Belong to Christ
Baptism is like standing on a big stage and declaring, “Jesus saved me!”
3. What Does Baptism Mean?
We believe baptism by immersion—going fully under the water—is the biblical pattern.
Why immersion?
Because it pictures what Jesus did for us.
Powerful Illustration Everyone Can Understand:
Baptism is like a mini-movie about what Jesus has done in your life.
When you go down into the water, it pictures Jesus’ death and burial.
When you come up out of the water, it pictures His resurrection.
Romans 6:4 says it this way:
“We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
Kid-Friendly Example:
Imagine planting a seed in the ground.
It goes down “into the earth,” but soon it comes back up as a new plant.
In baptism, we show that God has made us new on the inside.
4. What Baptism Does Not Do
It’s important to be clear:
Baptism does not wash away your sins.
Baptism does not get you into heaven.
Baptism does not complete salvation.
Only Jesus saves. Baptism is the celebration of salvation.
Illustration:
Water can clean dirt off your skin, but only Jesus cleans sin from your heart.
5. Who Should Be Baptized?
We believe in believer’s baptism, meaning:
✔ Anyone who has personally repented of sin
✔ Anyone who has trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord
✔ Anyone who is ready to publicly declare their faith
This includes children who truly understand the gospel and have made a real decision to follow Jesus.
6. What Happens When You’re Baptized?
Here’s what you can expect:
A. You’ll Share Your Testimony
This can be short and simple:
When you realized you needed Jesus
When you asked Him to save you
How He’s changing your life
B. You’ll Step Into the Water With Your Pastor
They’ll say something like:
“Based on your profession of faith inbaptize you my brother/sister
C. You’ll Be Gently Lowered Into the Water and Brought Back Up
This symbolizes the gospel—death, burial, and resurrection.
D. The Church Family Celebrates
Because heaven rejoices when a person follows Christ.
7. Why Baptism Matters
Baptism is a line in the sand moment.
It says:
“I’m not ashamed of Jesus.”
“I have decided to follow Him.”
“I want the world to know what He has done for me.”
It strengthens your faith, encourages your church family, and gives glory to God.
8. A Final Picture for Kids & Adults
Imagine you’re holding a flashlight in a dark room.
When you turn it on, everyone can tell where the light is coming from.
Baptism is like turning on that flashlight.
It’s you saying,
“Jesus lives in me, and I want His light to shine through my life.”
If You’re Ready… We’re Ready.
If you or your child is considering baptism, we would love to talk with you—answer questions, pray with you, and celebrate your decision.
Baptism is not the finish line.
It’s the starting line of a brand-new life with Jesus.
Let’s walk this journey together.