Galatians 3:26-27 :
For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Baptism is important according to the Bible. History confirms this because it became common so early in church history. It can be a confusing topic, though, because not only are there are different kinds of baptism in the Bible, people have added ideas to those concepts that aren’t in the Bible. The baptisms that we have as Christians are spiritual and physical. When Paul says that you “were baptized into Christ,” He is talking about a spiritual baptism talked about in John 1:33, Acts 11:16, and 1 Corinthians 12:13. Here’s what John the Baptist said about Jesus:
John 1:33 :
I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’
The physical act represents the inward act. We were put into a single united body when the Holy Spirit baptized us when we believed. Some people think you have to feel something to prove baptism. I completely disagree. You must only believe and whether you feel anything or not, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit just like the Bible clearly says (Galatians 3:2). You will be changed, however. You will not want the same things you used to want (Romans 7:21-32). That will make you feel different about things in your life. Others have tried to say that you have to become a member of the church to be baptized into Christ. This is clearly incorrect. The only way to be baptized the way Jesus wants is for it to be a spiritual baptism as John the Baptist said and the only way to get the Holy Spirit is through faith in the word of God. Here’s what we read earlier in Galatians:
Galatians 3:2 :
I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
This passage also tells us that we are all children of God when we believe the message about Jesus and His salvation. It is amazing but as Christians, we have really become children of God. That is a blessing and a responsibility as we learn more about later in this letter.