Introduction

There are some who believe that you must wait for the assembly of the local congregation to come together before they are able to be baptized. There is nothing in scripture to support that. In Catholicism, the idea of the season of Lent is to allow prospects the chance to study for 40 days before they become baptized on what is considered Easter Sunday.

However, the apostle Paul wrote, Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. (2 Corinthians 5:11) Persuasion means that it is vital to be baptized immediately. Paul also wrote, Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) In other words, the sooner you become baptized, the better off you are.

Two New Testament Examples

In Acts 2, we see the beginning of the New Testament dispensation. At the conclusion of Peter’s sermon, he encourages those who are listening to, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) In verse 41, it is stated that 3000 souls were saved.

But let’s look specifically at verse 47. There it says, …And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Notice here it says, ‘daily’. This means that they didn’t wait until the next assembly; be it Sunday morning, Sunday evening, or Wednesday night. They did it when it was necessary.

The other example is the Philippian Jailer in Acts 16. Paul and Silas had been arrested and thrown in jail. Notice verse 25, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. This was in the dead of the night and yet, when the jailer knew of his sins he asked the question, … “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (verse 30) After he was told what he must do, here was the result, And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. (verse 33)

Notice it says, ‘in the same hour of the night’. Paul didn’t tell him to wait until the morning and after they’ve been released from prison. He baptized them immediately. As he stated in 2 Corinthians, ‘now is the acceptable time…’

Conclusion

Salvation is a very serious concern for everyone and to understand your soul is at stake should be enough persuasion to do what it right according to God’s word. If you are not a Christian, you can change your life now, today even. If you need assistance, or would like further study or information, please leave a comment below.