Doctrine: Baptism
Key Scripture:
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5 (NKJV)
Guilty as Charged
Picture yourself in a courtroom. You’re on trial, and the evidence is overwhelming. Security footage, fingerprints, eyewitnesses—there’s no denying it: you’re guilty. The punishment is clear, the sentence severe. You brace yourself.
Then someone walks in.
He’s spotless. Never broken a law. Never done wrong. He looks at the judge and says, “I’ll take the punishment. Give them my record. Set them free.”
That is exactly what Jesus did for you and me. The moment His name is spoken over us in baptism, the judge’s gavel doesn’t fall with a sentence. It falls with mercy.
Why Baptism Matters
Many people treat baptism like a religious tradition—just a symbol, or a public declaration. But Jesus didn’t teach it that way. He said being born of water is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God. Baptism is part of the New Birth. Not optional. Not ceremonial. Essential.
When you’re baptized in the name of Jesus, something eternal happens. Your record of sin is erased. The punishment for every sin you ever committed—or ever will—is paid for. Not ignored. Paid.
The Power of the Name
In the book of Acts, every baptism was done in Jesus’ name. Not one person was baptized using the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Why? Because those are roles of the One God, whose name is Jesus. Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The apostles knew it. The early church practiced it. And it’s still the only way sins are remitted today, as His name is the only one by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Buried, Then Raised
Romans 6 says we are “buried with Him in baptism.” Think about that—burial only comes after death. Baptism is where your old life is buried, and a new one begins. That’s why Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17).
You don’t just get a second chance. You get a new identity. A clean record. And when we are also filled with His Spirit, we receive brand-new name written in Heaven, and on Earth – the power to overcome.
Reflection Questions
Have I been baptized in Jesus’ Name according to Acts 2:38?
Do I see baptism as a sacred moment of salvation—or just a tradition?
How would I explain the importance of baptism to a friend?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for taking my guilt and giving me a clean record. Thank You for the power of Your name and the promise of salvation through water and Spirit. Help me to live each day as someone who’s been buried with You and raised to new life, honoring the name that saves. And give me the boldness to share this truth with someone else.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.