Have you known people who wanted to backtrack on their baptism? The National Secular Society in London has created “certificates of de- baptism” that can be downloaded from the Web site. The certificates were originally created to “mock the practice of baptizing infants,” but atheists and those who no longer hold to Christian faith are now downloading them to the tune of 1,000 per week. Sad.

Jesus made it as clear as fresh water that baptism is an important step of obedience for all believers. Before being baptized by John the Baptist, he said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires” (Matthew 3:15). So at the very start of His ministry, Jesus was baptized out of obedience to His Father.

It’s evident that baptism shows our desire to obediently and publicly identify with Jesus in His death (symbolized by our being immersed) and His new life (portrayed by our rising from the water). Baptism does not, however, lead to salvation: “To all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12); “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22); “God saved you by His grace when you believed” (Ephesians 2:8).

To avoid the unthinkable occasion of even considering being de-baptized, it’s vital that we prayerfully, solemnly consider what we’re committing to prior to being baptized. As we’re immersed in the waters and come forth again, we’re declaring to God and to other believers that—by grace through faith—“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Baptism is God’s beautiful way to show that we will love and follow Jesus our whole lives—with no option for de-baptism.