⚠️ This blog isn’t about answers—it’s about awakening. Gospel Reclaimed is where I wrestle, wonder, and write about a gospel that’s far bigger, deeper, and more healing than the one I was handed.
Let’s talk about baptism—that thing people argue about right after fighting over which Bible translation God supposedly whispered to King James.
For some, it’s the magic ticket to heaven. For others, a baby’s first holy bath. And then there are those who believe if you weren’t dunked just right, you’re still in spiritual limbo.
John the Baptist: Innovator or Reminder?
Before we think John the Baptist was some wild innovator, let’s set the record straight: he didn’t invent baptism. The Jews had been immersing themselves in water for centuries. They called it the mikvah—a ritual bath in running water (“living water”) used for purification after things like childbirth, touching a corpse, or converting to Judaism. It was all about literal cleansing and preparing to enter sacred spaces.
So when John started baptizing people in the Jordan, no one was shocked by the act itself. What made heads turn was who he was calling—and why.
See, immersion was common for cleansing impure objects or for Gentile converts joining God’s people. But then comes John, telling Israel itself they needed to be cleansed. Basically saying, “You’re impure. You’re no better than the Gentiles. You need metanoia—a radical change of mind and a purifying wash.” Bold. Offensive. Cue the Pharisees clutching their pearls.
But John’s baptism wasn’t about scrubbing off external impurity. It was a public declaration of heart-level repentance, a way to prepare for the coming Kingdom and the One who would baptize not with water, but with Spirit and fire (again, a symbol of purification).
He took something familiar and gave it a prophetic punch, because the real washing—the immersion into the living waters of regeneration—was just around the corner.
Immersion into Christ: The Real Baptism that Saves
Peter couldn’t have said it better:
“Corresponding to that, baptism (baptisma) now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
Notice how Peter makes it crystal clear: this isn’t about taking a holy bath. Water can rinse off dirt, but it can’t wash your conscience clean. Only immersion into Christ—the true baptisma—brings the cleansing of our entire being. This isn’t about external hygiene; it’s about rebirth into a new life through His resurrection.
Paul sings the same tune in Titus 3:4-5: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds we have done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
No rituals. No performance. Just God doing what He does best: making all things new.
In Romans 6:3-4, Paul unpacks it even more: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Baptism symbolizes this death-to-life transformation, but the reality it points to—our union with Christ’s death and resurrection—is the real deal. You didn’t just get wet; you were plunged into the very heart of His death, His victory, and His resurrected life.
To top it off, 1 Corinthians 12:13 reminds us: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”
This isn’t about joining a religious club. It’s about being united into the living body of Christ, sharing in His life, His Spirit, and His triumph over death.
So yes, baptism saves—but not the kind that gets you wet. It’s our immersion into Christ’s death and rebirth into His resurrected life that truly saves us. As Paul beautifully sums up in Colossians 1:22:
“He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”
But this raises a deeper question: Who actually ‘died with Christ’ when He went to the cross? (Hint: it’s not just a personal story—it’s a cosmic reality.) Curious? I unpack that in my next article—[click here to dive in].
So When Did You “Get Saved”?
Short answer: 2,000 years ago on a Roman cross.
Yep, long before you said the sinner’s prayer or even thought about baptism. Jesus’ death and resurrection were a cosmic rescue mission, not a transaction waiting for your signature. You were included—even before your first bath.
Your baptism doesn’t make that real. It simply celebrates it, like a birthday party. We celebrate our birth with balloons, cake, and way too much sugar, but let’s be honest—our birth didn’t need a party to prove it happened. Same with baptism. You can choose to celebrate your new life in Christ publicly or not, but nothing can undo what He already accomplished for you.
Baptism: Our Joyful Amen to What’s Already True
At the end of the day, baptism isn’t about getting your name on some divine checklist. It’s not a spiritual transaction, a membership badge, or a ticket to heaven. It’s a joyful, public “Amen” to what God has already done in Christ.
Through His death and resurrection, we were immersed into His life, cleansed, renewed, and forever reconciled. Baptism celebrates this reality—it’s our way of shouting, “Yes! This is who I am now, because of what He has done!”
It’s a beautiful symbol. A sacred celebration. But it doesn’t create the truth—it proclaims it.
So whether you were sprinkled, dunked, or haven’t gotten around to it yet, remember this: your identity in Christ is not pending approval. He finished the work. You are His.
Baptism is simply our way of throwing the party.
So if you’re thinking about baptism—go for it!
Throw the party. Get wet. Make a joyful splash.
Not because you’re trying to earn anything,
but because you’re celebrating what’s already yours.
Jesus did the heavy lifting.
You just get to enjoy the cannonball.
FAQs
Does baptism save you?
Yes—but not because of the water itself. The Bible teaches that real salvation comes through our immersion into Christ’s death and resurrection, not through an outward ritual. Water baptism is a celebration of what God has already accomplished.
Was John the Baptist the first to baptize people?
Nope. Jewish people had practiced ritual immersion (called mikvah) for centuries. What made John’s baptism different was that he called Jews to repent and prepare for the Messiah through a symbolic washing.
Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin?
Jesus wasn’t baptized for Himself—He did it vicariously. His baptism fulfilled the law on humanity’s behalf and pointed forward to the greater baptism: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
