What must be
done before BAPTISM?

When we reach the point of baptism each of us has faced a variety of life experiences. Some have a "record". Others have been religious all of their lives. Some were christened or even baptized as an adult. Some have never had any religious training or experience. Some have been associated with a variety of churches, and others have never darkened a church door.

Then we come to believe that change is needed. What do we do? Is it only a matter of belief?

The Scriptures teach a twin action: "Repent, and be baptized" (Acts 2:38). The baptism part is easy. But, do we understand what is meant by REPENT?

Note first that baptism is "the bottom of the ladder" of the Christian life. It is a new beginning. When you step out of the waters of baptism you are a new life to God, just like a new baby is to a mother. God's Spirit has united with your spirit to form a new creature. You are a "babe in Christ". And you have much to learn! You need to grow!

So, what God expects from you as a mature Christian after years of experience is not what He expects from you at baptism! Thankfully, God doesn't reveal the specific trials ahead of a new Christian. But the way He wants us to live as Christians - the evidence that we are truly converted - is clearly explained in Scripture!

When God calls, how do we answer?

We can't be saved by any personal works of righteousness. It is of grace, of God's mercy, out of His love for us. What are we to do when we feel God is calling us to a Christian life? The key, as Peter answered, is - REPENT. Christianity is a way of life, and we are expected to "live by every Word of God" (Matthew 4:4), and that will mean a radical change in our daily walk. Let's look at some of these changes.

God has called you to offer you His salvation. In His goodness He leads you to repentance. He uses the circumstances of your life to induce a godly sorrow - a deep contrition for your sin and your sinful nature. Such sorrow can be triggered by ill-health, by loss of someone close, by reverses, simply by a general dissatisfaction with your life. But whatever it is, you begin to seek, and follow, God's way. To seek and to follow is repentance. Repentance is not a "feeling," it is an ACTION! It is a turning to God's "narrow way". It is the willingness to obey God NOW, and not wait until after baptism!

When God begins to call you, it is His Spirit that is working with you. You are not alone, for the Holy Spirit is with you, prompting you to obedience. It is for you to turn those prompts into action! You show your submission to God by a changed lifestyle, by starting to produce good fruit. And you start before baptism.

The Baptism Check List

This brief article is not meant to be a substitute for discussing you readiness to be baptized with a competent counselor of the Church. You ought to discuss baptism fully, and indeed baptism won't be carried out unless you do - for your own sake! Below, however, is a kind of baptism check list to summarize the kinds of commitments God wants you to make prior to being baptized. God doesn't expect perfect obedience or any kind of perfection from those He is calling into His truth. What He looks for is a heart that is willing to listen and WANTS to obey Him and the words He inspired in the Bible.

1. Have you made the commitment to put God and His Word FIRST in your life?

2. Are you looking to God ALONE for salvation and not anything else? It's important to understand that TRUE religion is of the spirit and not dependent on what we do, who we know, the church we attend, etc. etc.

3. Have you begun to obey God by REJECTING the world's holy days (holidays) of Easter, Christmas, Halloween, etc. and ACCEPTING God's Holy Days found in the Bible? God's Holy or Feast days of Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, etc. reveal His glorious plan for all mankind. Not matter how sincere, worship based on human traditions and not on the Bible is what God calls VAIN WORSHIP (Matthew 15:9).

4. Have you begun to obey God by REJECTING the world's day of worship - Sunday - for God's day of worship - the seventh day or Saturday?

5. Have you taken steps (e.g. forgiveness) to be reconciled to your parents? Our Christian life is marked by recognition of God's pattern of family life. Take steps to be on good terms with your family.

6. Have you searched your heart for hatred, and begun to love your enemies? Be reconciled, also, to all those to whom you have any animosity. Failure to forgive means we inwardly harbor murderous thoughts.

7. Are you committed to work on disciplining yourself to be careful of what you put in your mind - what you read, or watch on television, the Web sites you visit, the movies you see, etc.

8. Are you following only legal occupations and are you honest in your dealings with your employer and others? It's important to be as respectful of the property of other, and generous in all your good deeds.

9. Are you looking out for your neighbor and not just for YOURSELF?

10. Are you thankful for what you have and do your best not to lust for something that is NOT yours - whether it be a car or the mate of another person?

Can we FOOL OURSELVES regarding repentance?

Repentance means we voluntarily submit to God's way of life. If we are not committed to doing what is right in God's eyes (and not our own) then we are fooling ourselves and not truly repentant. Instead of worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) we worship him in vain.

Obedience to God is not "salvation by works". It is an expression of our submission to His lordship and sovereignty. Joyful obedience to God's law - as expanded by Jesus and the New Testament - is one sign that we are truly converted. God states that He will give His Holy Spirit only to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32).

Are you now ready to make a commitment that will last for all eternity?