Do I have to be baptized?
Upon reading the Gospels, Jesus says, “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)”
The Apostle Peter said, to the conscience-stricken believers on the day of Pentecost, “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)."
The Apostle Paul, in recounting (for the third time) his conversion experience, quoted his spiritual guide, Ananias: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name (Acts 22:16)."
Jesus said to do it. Peter said to do it. Paul said, “I did it.” It seems rather strange to ask, “Do I have to?”
WHO IS THE PROPER CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM?
If I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and am ready to confess before others that He is Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and if I repent, and let God take me over from myself (II Peter 3:9), I am ready to be baptized. I understand who God is; I comprehend that I have sinned (failed to obey His standards). And I have come to know Jesus. Most of us who were raised in Christian families begin taking that matter very seriously between the ages of eight and twelve. Quite a few who are part of our church family had been ready in their hearts for quite a while, and upon hearing the call to believer’s baptism (at many ages, from twenty to ninety) were more than ready to do that.