Journey With Jesus 365Sample

Do you have to be baptized?

John the Baptist preached repentance from sin and baptized people. We see people confessing their sins and getting baptized. John made a distinction between getting baptized with water and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which occurs when someone repents of their sins and puts their faith in Jesus. Biblical Baptism always follows repentance and faith in Jesus. Jesus himself gave us this example to follow when he was baptized of John and the Holy Spirit descended upon him. Peter preached to the Jews after Pentecost, saying: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” We get baptized not to be saved but in obedience to our Lord and Savior, to identify with His death, burial, and resurrection.