The New Testament sets out believing and being baptised as synonymous.
The Philippian jailer is told that in order to be saved, he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and then he is baptised. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptised are synonymous, showing that his baptism was a voluntary decision alongside his believing.
If he had chosen not to believe, he would not have been baptised. It’s similar with the crowd at Pentecost. It’s as a result of their pleading, asking Peter what they should do, that he tells them to repent and be baptised.
There’s a voluntary call for them to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and to be baptised. The two things are tied together, showing that a lack of repentance and belief would have meant that no baptism would have taken place.
And listen to the way that Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. Believing in the Lord and many of the Corinthians are listed in that too. Luke describes it like this: “They believed and were baptised.”
So, this is a voluntary act, tied into repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. There is no example of someone being baptised against their will or unconsciously being baptised.
Let’s simply to follow the way that God has ordained—to accept the gift that baptism is. It’s such a gift! It’s such a wonderful way of expressing our faith in the Lord Jesus. But it’s not just for those who are super enthusiastic or who need help—it is an essential way for all of us.
So, if you have trusted in Jesus but are not yet baptised, realise that you need to be baptised. If you have not trusted in Jesus, then come, trust in the Lord Jesus, and pursue baptism. And then, if you have been baptised, remember that that’s what baptism was for you—it was your trusting in the Lord Jesus being played out in this physical means of grace, sacrament, ordinance, and act.
We should all give thanks for this gift—it’s a tangible feast for the senses, which is baptism. What a clear way of expressing, in action, our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is saying yes to Jesus.
