Roots Before the Water: The Truth About Baptism and Repentance

Why rushing people to the water without repentance is doing more harm than good.

A Quick Word Before We Begin

Hello, friends. Thank you for taking the time to read.

I realize this may ruffle some feathers.

That’s not my goal—but I won’t shy away from truth either.

What follows is me wrestling through some things the only way I know how: through writing and reflection.

I understand if you don’t fully agree, and I’m not here to criticize or condemn.

My intent is not to bring harm or stir controversy.

These are simply convictions that have been on my heart—and I felt led to put them into words.

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I was raised by two great preachers—Rev. Jack Chessor and Rev. T.R. Foster.

They were men of the Word—bold, seasoned, and serious about sound doctrine.

I can still hear them say it:

“If you’re not serious about repentance and baptism, more or less… you just got wet.”

The first time I heard that, I didn’t fully grasp it.

I figured if someone got baptized, that was a win.

But as I grew older—and pastored longer—I saw the difference.

And now I know exactly what they meant.

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Baptism Isn’t Just a Symbol

We live in a time where people love watered-down definitions.

I’ve heard it so many times:

“Baptism is just an outward sign of an inward change.”

It sounds spiritual. But it’s not Scripture.

There’s not a single verse that backs that up.

It’s a phrase we’ve borrowed from tradition—not truth.

The Word says:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38)

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…” (1 Peter 3:21)

“Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins…” (Acts 22:16)

David Bernard put it clearly:

“Baptism is not merely a symbol but an essential part of the conversion experience. It is a faith response that invokes the name of Jesus and connects the believer to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.”¹

Baptism is not optional.

It is covenant. It is obedience. It is essential.

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If There’s No Death, There’s Nothing to Bury

John the Baptist wasn’t handing out quick passes to the water.

He said:

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)

If nothing’s been surrendered—nothing needs to be buried.

We’ve confused emotional responses with spiritual decisions.

But repentance isn’t crying. It’s turning.

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3)

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…” (Romans 6:4)

No death. No burial.

No burial. No resurrection.

We’re not in the business of handing out warm towels and calling it revival.

We’re here to preach death to sin and newness of life in Jesus Christ.

J.R. Ensey warned against this kind of shortcut religion:

“Modern churches have too often traded true repentance for emotional relief and true baptism for ceremonial tradition.”²

And in our culture today—social media is a force.

I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it.

Some just want a pic to get a click.

This might sound harsh, but it needs to be said:

Doing baptism for likes, shares, or personal attention is a gross abuse of what baptism is meant for.

Baptism is not a stage.

It’s not a photo shoot.

It’s not a chance to build a platform.

It’s your death certificate.

It’s burial with Christ.

Let me ask you plainly:

If we met alone after a Bible study, and no picture could be taken, and no post could be made—would you still follow through with baptism?

Because if the only reason you’re ready is the audience—then you’re not ready.

If the only motivation is attention—you haven’t repented.

And God doesn’t honor performance. He honors brokenness.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

Let me go a step further.

Wanting to erase the past is not enough to validate repentance.

Of course people want a clean slate.

Who wouldn’t?

But repentance isn’t just about dealing with your past—it’s about stepping into a new life forward.

It’s not just relief—it’s reformation.

And reformation only comes when there’s covenant.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This isn’t just about clearing your history.

As any criminal would, most people are fine with having their record wiped.

But walking new? That’s different.

Living holy? That’s different.

Abandoning the old life? That’s the proof.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts… and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22, 24)

We must preach the difference.

We must discern the difference.

Because biblical repentance doesn’t just cry—it changes.

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Don’t Turn Baptism Into a Scoreboard

Let me speak plainly to my Pentecostal brothers and sisters:

Baptism is not a trophy.

It’s not a post for Instagram.

It’s not a tally mark on the district report.

We’re not called to count people—we’re called to convert them.

If there’s no repentance, and we still rush them to the water, we may be doing more harm than good.

“Woe unto you… for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

When someone thinks they’re saved—but has never repented or obeyed truth—they’re harder to reach later.

That’s not just a mistake. That’s dangerous.

Scott Graham once said it best:

“We are not trying to get people to make a decision—we are trying to preach until something dies, and something new comes to life.”³

Let’s not baptize people into confusion.

Let’s not trade numbers for new birth.

Let’s not sacrifice truth for speed.

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Let’s Preach the Whole Pattern

We don’t need to improve God’s plan—we need to return to it.

Preach repentance.

Preach baptism in Jesus’ name.

Preach the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Preach sanctification.

Preach holiness.

No gimmicks. No shortcuts. No skipping steps.

Let’s get back to the altar. Let’s wait on the fruit. Let’s make sure there are roots before the water.

This is more than just getting wet.

It’s about dying to sin.

It’s about burial in His name.

It’s about rising to walk in a life that’s been changed by the power of God.

And I’ll say it again:

“If you’re not serious about repentance and baptism, more or less… you just got wet.”

And if we’re not serious about doctrine, we’ll end up with churches full of people who look saved, act religious—but were never truly converted.

Let’s get serious again.

Serious about the Word.

Serious about obedience.

Serious about truth.

Serious about sanctification.

Serious about holiness.

Serious about doing it God’s way—because that’s the only way that works.

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References:

1. Bernard, David K. The New Birth. Word Aflame Press, 1984.

2. Ensey, J.R. The Apostolic Handbook. Advance Ministries, 2009.

3. Graham, Scott. Preaching for a Verdict, sermon excerpt, North American Youth Congress 2015.

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