What is Water Baptism?

And why is water baptism an important act of your faith?

Water baptism is a sacrament of the Christian faith, meaning it is an action that God has set apart that has spiritual significance in our lives. However, it is widely misunderstood and, in many cases, has become something that we just do without fully understanding its meaning. Water Baptism isn’t something to take lightly; the Lord Jesus Christ Himself thought it was important enough to be water baptized before He began the work of His ministry.

Water baptism is an act of obedience to God’s commandment; however, it was never meant to be something we just do because we think we have to. It is an outward expression of yielding in obedience to God and is a fundamental element of our own spiritual journey. That’s why it’s so important to truly understand the spiritual significance of what water baptism represents in our lives.

What does water baptism represent?

The word ‘baptism’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means total immersion. It symbolizes the washing away and dying to our old life of sin so that we may be raised up into new life in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and resurrected the third day as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through faith in Him, we have the opportunity to appropriate his death, burial, and resurrection symbolically by our participation in water baptism.

The act of being baptized involves a believer being lowered down under the water – which represents dying to sin, being fully immersed in the water -which represents burial, and then being raised up again out of the water – which represents our resurrection into new life with the power to have victory over sin in the name of Jesus.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 KJV

Baptism is an outward symbol of our faith

Water baptism also involves making a verbal declaration of our faith and setting ourselves apart to serve and follow God as our Heavenly Father. It’s a covenant that we make with God that shows our love for Him.

For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10 KJV

Water baptism is a physical representation of switching from being servants of sin to serving God in righteousness. This does not mean that we won’t sin again, but it sets the standard that we are choosing to shift our allegiance to from Satan and his kingdom to the Kingdom of God. We may still struggle with iniquity and fall into sin from time to time, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, we can repent and remain clean in His eyes.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 KJV

Is there a prerequisite for being baptized?

It is important to note that the prerequisite of being baptized is to be born again. Therefore it is anyone who gets baptized should be at the age of understanding to acknowledge their personal declaration of faith. We show our faith in God the Father by doing the work of water baptism.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:17-18 KJV

We do not say that you aren’t saved if you haven’t been baptized, but we see from the Scripture that baptism is an essential step of obedience for all believers to take in their relationship with God. We also know from the Word that water baptism is an important element of a believer’s overcomer journey. In fact, it may be a missing link as to why many people are unable to overcome even after they’ve received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It’s not the action itself that has this power but our allowing the Holy Spirit to join us in the action by faith that brings the fruit of cleansing and purification to our hearts. That is why we stress its importance and offer the opportunity to be baptized in water to those who attend the For My Life Retreat in person.

God wants to set you free from the bondage to sin and iniquity.

Are you ready to take the leap to commit to trusting God and following Him so He can lead you to health and wholeness in Him for your spirit, soul, and body? His commandments aren’t grievous nor too difficult that we cannot attain to them. God says this in His Word, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 KJV). He wants to join you on your overcomers’ journey by His Holy Spirit, so that you don’t have to fight your spiritual battles alone.

Would you like to learn more about water baptism?

In the For My Life Retreat, we present a teaching aptly titled, Water Baptism. This teaching explores why water baptism is important for our overcomers’ journey and its spiritual significance for our lives. The water baptism teaching clears up any misconceptions about what water baptism is and clearly explains why it is necessary for your spiritual journey with God according to Scripture.

This is only a taste of the Water Baptism teaching that we present in the For My Life Retreat. If you are ready to take the next step in your overcomers’ journey to learning how to be victorious in Christ, then this retreat is for you!

We invite you to join us on this life-changing journey of healing and restoration that we call the overcomers’ journey. We are dedicated to fulfilling the vision and mission to establish generations of overcomes that God charged Dr. Henry W. Wright and Pastor Donna Wright with when they first began the ministry of Be in Health^®.

The For My life Retreat is a 5-day, intensive healing retreat where you can find healing in God for your spirit, soul, and body. We have also developed the For My Life Online Course, where you can participate with us from the comfort of your own home.

Be blessed and enjoy your overcomers’ journey!

The Be in Health Team

Here is a small clip from the For My Life Online Water Baptism Teaching