What Baptism Means to Me

We asked children (ages 7-9), preteens (ages 10-12), and teenagers (ages 13-16) from around the world to write for the Review in August. The following article is one they produced. —Editors 

Baptism means committing yourself fully to Christ Jesus. As someone who has been baptized, I know what it feels like. When you choose to be baptized, you recognize Jesus Christ as your Savior and invite Him to live in your heart eternally. Jesus Himself said that when you are baptized, you are born again in His Spirit. Baptism means that you are washing away your sins in the blood of Jesus.

Baptism starts when you really want to give your heart, soul, mind, and strength to Jesus. This is letting the Holy Spirit abide in you, and you become a spiritual temple of God. Before you get baptized, I recommend taking at least one or two Bible study classes so you can learn more about baptism and letting Jesus into your life. God loves you, and He really wants you to live with Him forever! If you truly want to be baptized, you need to turn away from all your evil ways and the things God does not want in you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).

After you have taken those Bible studies, you should consult with a parent or guardian about whether you are truly accepting Jesus into your life or if you are doing it just to please yourself or others. You should also start reading your Bible more often, since it will teach you how to live, act, and respect one another, along with many other good things. God invites us all to heaven’s party; we just need to not rip up the invitation. Remember, God created you, and He loves you very much.

God invites us all to heaven’s party; we just need to not rip up the invitation.

When you are getting baptized, the pastor at your church will probably ask you some questions. You will answer yes to each one, and then a song may start playing. Then you and your parent, guardian, or pastor will go into the baptismal pool. Don’t be surprised if the water is very cold; it can remind us of the water when John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples were baptizing people. Then the adult in the pool with you may put a cloth on your face, hold your back, dunk you in the water, and then bring you back up to the surface.

You are saved, your body is a temple of God, and the Holy Spirit will abide in you for the rest of your life. Whether you choose to become a pastor or elder, or have a regular job, that is OK. Just remember that God is with you and will be with you for the rest of your life. And on that great day when we see Jesus, we will shout for victory. For the Bible says that the dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are still living in Christ will also be caught up, and we will all go to the great city of God.