The Bible is clear: believers are to be water baptized.

The last command Jesus gave us before ascending into heaven is to make disciples and baptize them.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20

In fact, in many cases throughout Scripture, baptism occurs immediately after believing in Jesus, at the same time of their conversion to Christ.

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 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. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. ' Acts 16:30-34

Baptism comes from the word baptizó in Greek. It means to immerse or fully submerge. This is important because of what baptism symbolizes. When one is submerged in the water, it is a symbol of dying to oneself, and one's sins being nailed to the cross. When one is raised out of the water, it signifies our spiritual resurrection in Christ. Just as Christ died and rose again, we too have been raised back to life. Baptism shows that in Christ, we have been brought from death to life.

"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 3:12

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world… But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:1-5

Because of this, water baptism is a public declaration of an inward reality. Water baptism signifies to both the physical and spiritual world, that you belong to the Kingdom of Heaven.

There is power in baptism, as seen in Acts 2:38, where the gift of the Holy Spirit is given following repentance and baptism. On the day of Pentecost, Peter gave one of the greatest Gospel messages ever, through the power of the Holy Spirit. When the people heard this message, "they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Here is what Peter said to them:

"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.'" Acts 2:38

In verse 41 of the same chapter, we get to see that those who believed responded in baptism.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" Acts 2:41.

Many people delay getting baptized. They wait until they are further along in their faith journey to get baptized. Many choose not to get baptized all together. We urge you: do not wait. The bible is clear: if you have a relationship with Jesus you are to be baptized. You don't have to have everything figured out, you just have to have a relationship with Jesus and a willingness to obey what He commanded us to do.