Should I consider getting baptized?
Short answer: If you are trusting in the work of Christ to save you and you are not yet baptized, then yes, you should consider getting baptized.

Why?
Because being baptized is a joyful step of obedience to Christ, showing off the work of God to save you through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is the timeless commission of Jesus to us in Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

What is baptism?
Baptism is an external sign of the internal reality that a person, by faith in Christ, is united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism publically pictures one’s initiation into Christ by faith. It is the statement that you are trusting in Jesus for eternal life, not yourself or some other thing. Baptism looks back, as a declaration of the work that has been done on our behalf in Christ. Baptism looks forward, proclaiming that we intend to walk with Christ in newness of life (Romans 6:1-11; Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:18-20).

When do we baptize someone?
We believe the whole of Scripture demonstrates that baptism is for a person who professes faith in Jesus. It is best to wait to baptize an individual until receives the gospel; when he/she turns from trusting in themselves (or some other god) for life, to trust in Jesus.

A few examples from the early church:
Acts 2:38-47: And Peter said to them, "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… So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 16:31-33: And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

Acts 18:8: Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

If you would like to consider getting baptized, please email Matt (matt@thewellsilverspring.org). We will set two up times for us all to investigate baptism together.