Why do they look so happy?
If someone had come to our church on this Sunday morning and then seen all the people jumping for joy and hollering when people came to the front to get ask Jesus into their lives, they might have wonder what kind of church they had walk into. Well here at Cowboy Way Church we believe that there should be a celebration when anyone comes to know Jesus as the Lord and Savior. We also believe that when one comes to know Jesus as their Lord that they should follow thru with Believers Baptism.
Now there are people who always ask me what is baptism and why do people go threw with it. Well to answer that we have to go and look at the Word of God and see what it says about being baptize.
In Matthew 3:13-17, Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. [14] But John didn’t want to baptize him. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” [15] But Jesus said, “It must be done, because we must do everything that is right.” So then John baptized him. [16] After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him.”
Here one can see the Lord Jesus Himself coming to His cousin John to be baptized, in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” He then went on to establish baptism as an eternal ordinance for His church, calling every believer to follow in His footsteps. In Matthew 28:19; therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The act of water baptism (being immersed in water in response to receiving salvation) is a very important first step in the Christian life.
A good way of looking at this would be like looking at a wedding ring, it tell us that the person who has it on is married, this is an outward sign to the world that this person is off the market. In the military, a uniform tells us that person is in a particular branch of service. Well that’s what water baptism is a symbol designed by God to identify a person as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Now please let me make it very clear that when I use the word “symbol” here it is with caution. To say that it is “just a symbol” takes away from the depth and beauty of water baptism. Baptism is a symbol, but it is so much more than that. 


When we are saved, we are spiritually baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27,) and into His Body , the church (1 Corinthians 12:13.) Baptism in water is an outward representation of these inward realities. In Biblical symbolism, water represents inner cleansing (Ephesians 5:26, Hebrews 10:22,) and spiritual rebirth (John 3:5,) both of which are central themes of baptism.
Water baptism is, in essence, a funeral. It is an act of faith in which we testify, to God and to the world that the person we were before is dead and buried, and we are raised as a new creation in Christ. This is beautifully illustrated by these Scriptures:



“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. “- Romans 6:4


“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”-Colossians 2:12



Baptism is a command from God, not an option, obedience is not an option. It is an act that God requires of every believer. In fact, among Jesus’ last recorded words on earth were. “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned”. (Mark 16:16.) Think about that for a moment. Jesus’ very call to believe on Him includes a call to be baptized. If He puts it in that category, He must see it as being something very important, wouldn’t you say?

For a moment let’s just take a look at some of the conversions described in the Book of Acts. What was happing to people that where coming to Jesus? 



Acts 2:38. When the people respond to Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the first thing he instructs them to do is “Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We further read in verse 41 that they “gladly received his word, and were baptized….”


Acts 8:26-40- This is the account of Phillip leading the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. As they finish their discussion, the eunuch enthusiastically asks “What is hindering me from being baptized?” to which Phillip replies “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” Then they come to a body of water, and Philip promptly baptizes him. 


Acts 22:16- And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord.’ The first thing the apostle Paul is told to do after his conversion was to be baptized.


There are a number of other instances we could look at as well (Acts 10:46-48; 16:14-15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:1-5.) In each of these cases, notice the sense of urgency that is attached to baptism. These people all responded to Jesus in simple faith. However, they didn’t see their faith as complete until they had obeyed God by being baptized. Keep in mind that faith without works (corresponding actions) is dead (James 2:17.) A living faith produces an obedient heart (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6: 46; 1 John 2:3-4) and water baptism is to be our first act of obedience.


Baptism is a very special way of God communicating His love to us. When we receive God’s saving grace, it is no accident that He calls us to identify with Him in a way that makes it real to us. Let me ask you something are you struggling with guilt over your past? It could be because you haven’t yet given the person you once were a proper burial! Water baptism is a very powerful reminder of God’s wonderful grace. The person we were before is dead forever, and we are raised with Jesus as a totally new creation:



“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)


As you can see, you have absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain by following Jesus in water baptism. Ultimately, it all goes back to Jesus’ statement in John 14:15. “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Baptism is a simple, but profound act of obedience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. If you have not yet taken this step, I strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

Of course, we cannot take baptism without first embracing the reality that it represents: A living relationship with Jesus Christ. Without this, baptism is simply getting wet. If you have not given your heart to Him, why not do it now? Contact us and we will tell how you can be saved today!