When our first daughter Kayla was born, the hospital asked us what we wanted to name her. And we said to the nurse, "she's not ready to be named yet. We're going to wait until she feels ready."

Just kidding. That would be ridiculous.

But that's what a lot of people do with baptism. "Yes, I trust Jesus as my savior, but I'm just not ready yet to be baptized. I want to get my act together first."

Check this out from Acts 2. Peter had just finished preaching to a large crowd:

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 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. - Acts 2:37, 38, 40

They heard. They trusted in Jesus. They were baptized. That day.

Baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Baptism is a symbol of being given a new name. Adopted into a new family. Redeemed by a new master.

That's why baptism was so immediate. That's why Peter didn't say, "Trust in Jesus, then memorize Scripture, then stop cussing, then take our 6-week class, then get baptized." They trusted in Jesus, were "born again" and thus baptized, celebrating the beginning of their new life in Christ.

Before our daughter Kayla ever did anything for us, before she showed any signs of talent or personality or gifting, we named her. Not because she proved herself worthy of a name. Simply because she belonged to us.

That's what Baptism celebrates. It's not about you.

So if you belong to Jesus, and haven't been baptized yet, let's make it happen asap. We have one coming up. Email me back: Chris@truelifenj.com.