Why Baptism Still Matters Today
Baptism days are some of my favourite days in church life. There’s something about the joy, the courage, the sense of new beginning that fills the room. I’ve even been known to check the baptistry at 11pm the night before, making sure the heaters are in and the water’s warm. Nobody wants to come out of the tank sounding like a chipmunk.
Over the years, baptisms have created some unforgettable moments. Once, Tyson Fury — the Gypsy King himself — turned up at one of our services. Right in the middle of it, one of our candidates slipped and fell into the tank before we’d even prayed. Tyson roared with laughter, absolutely convinced we’d staged it for his entertainment. Fortunately, she popped up smiling, looking as if the dive had been part of the plan!
But beyond the fun and the stories, a question often sits beneath the surface: why does baptism matter? Why do people — from teenagers to grandparents, from the famous to the unknown — still choose to step into the water?
In recent years we’ve seen a wave of public faith from people you wouldn’t expect. Justin Bieber was baptised in a friend’s bathtub because he wanted to get right with God. Chris Pratt openly talks about following Jesus. Mark Wahlberg has spoken about prayer, fasting, and his baptism journey. Influencers, athletes, musicians — people with millions of followers and all the success the world can offer — are discovering that they still need Jesus.
So why does baptism matter so profoundly, even today?
The most obvious reason is simple: Jesus Himself was baptised. Matthew 3:13 tells us that Jesus travelled from Galilee to the Jordan specifically for the purpose of being baptised by John. He didn’t wander in accidentally; He walked in with purpose. If the Son of God stepped into the water, then we can follow His example.
Secondly, Jesus didn’t just model baptism — He taught it. In Matthew 28:19 He told His disciples: “Go and make disciples… baptising them…” Baptism isn’t a religious option or a spiritual bonus feature. It’s part of following Jesus. It’s the Christian version of going public — declaring, “I belong to Him.”
The early church understood this instinctively. They didn’t debate baptism or schedule it bi-annually to keep things tidy. They baptised people the moment they believed. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptised.” Acts 10:48 records Peter commanding new believers to be baptised. For them it was simple, clear, immediate.
But beyond the commands and the examples, baptism carries deep meaning. It is a public confession — faith made visible. Romans 10:9–10 tells us we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths. Baptism is that confession, but seen, heard, and celebrated. It’s the wedding ring of Christianity: you don’t put it on to become married, but because you already are.
And so baptism continues to matter — because Jesus still saves, still calls, still transforms. Every person who steps into the water is declaring, “The old me is gone. The new me belongs to Jesus.”
That’s why baptism days will always be worth staying up late for.
For help and enquiries please contact…
[email protected]
100 Church Road
Gatley
SK8 4NQ
