In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his followers to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…"

Why would Jesus instruct them to do that" It is revealed in a conversation with a man named Nicodemus in John 3:3-5.  "(3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old" Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born" (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Then in Acts 2, Peter stood with the disciples and proclaimed to the crowd that had gathered in Jerusalem the Gospel, the Good News. In verse 37, they responded, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do"" The response follows in verses 38 through 41. "(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

The Bible allows us to also see that everyone who was baptized in the New Testament was baptized by immersion calling on the Name of Jesus Christ!

Getting Ready for Baptism

Once a person admits that he or she is a sinner and turns to Christ for salvation, the Bible says that person should repent of their sins and be baptized by immersion in the Name of Jesus Christ for the payment of their sins.

Believers are those who have realized that their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ's death on the Cross for their sins is the only thing that bridges the gap between them and God.

If you have come to this point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. When you are baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, not only is there the payment or remission of sins, but also you take on the nature of Jesus Christ. You also are covered in the protection of His Authority.

The Ethiopian asked Philip, "Tell me, please who is the prophet speaking about, himself or someone else"" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the Ethiopian said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized"" …Then they went into the water and Philip baptized him.    Acts 8:34-38