The moment you realize that your past sins have been forgiven and that you are now a child of God, it is a joyous moment. When someone completes the process God set forth for our salvation, that of belief, repentance, and baptism, it is good reason to rejoice. In the New Testament we can find no rejoicing before baptism, but cheerful and energetic actions after baptism.
On Pentecost many were “pierced to the heart” by Peters message. Some 3,000 believers were then baptized. Afterwards, we read that “they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart” (Acts 2:41,46). As believers: “pierced to the heart,” after baptism: “gladness of heart”. When Phillip “preached Jesus” to the Ethiopian, after he “came up out of the water” of baptism, we read, “he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38-39).
Baptism is not what saves us, but it is the point of faith and obedience when salvation occurs, hence, the reason for jubilation. Paul “spoke the word of the Lord” to the Roman jailer. “and immediately he was baptized…and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God” (Acts 16:32-34). Have you experienced the joy that comes at baptism?
-Dennis Doughty,
