The Daily Walk | 05.14.2026 | Pastor John Dunn | Why Baptism is a Big Deal

Good morning folks.

It's John Dunn.

This past Sunday we witnessed two baptisms at FBC Wimberley.

It was a moment of spontaneous celebration for our entire church as we applauded this act of submission and obedience.

But while the fuss, you might even think, what's the big deal?

Let's look a little closer.

Christian baptism is one of only two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church.

The other is the Lord's Supper.

Just before his ascension, Jesus said this: 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.

That's from Matthew 28, 19 and 20.

We know this, of course, as the Great Commission.

Here, in some of Jesus' very final words, he commanded us to do three things: obey his word, make more disciples, and be baptized.

So if for no other reason, baptism is important because Jesus commanded us to do it.

Christian baptism illustrates in dramatic fashion the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and our new life in Christ.

Romans 6.4 put it this way.

Very simply, water baptism is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer's life.

It's an act of both obedience and submission to the Lord that follows our salvation.

It's not a requirement in order to be saved.

In fact, the Bible tells us in many places that the order of events should be as follows.

First, a person believes in the Lord Jesus, and then they're baptized.

All of us believers should feel a desire to be baptized.

In Acts chapter 8, Philip spoke the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch as they were traveling along the road.

Acts 8 · chapter mention

The eunuch then turned to Philip and said, Look, here's some water.

What can stand in the way of me being baptized?

In most cases, an immediate baptism after salvation isn't practical.

But a believer nonetheless should certainly feel an urgent desire to follow their profession of faith with baptism underwater at the earliest opportunity.

So, in summary, baptism illustrates a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and his resurrection.

Not only is it an act of obedience to Christ's command, but it's also a visible acknowledgement of our new life in Jesus Christ.

That is a big deal, folks.

I hope you have a blessed week.