Baptism

Baptism is one of the most important and meaningful experiences of the Christian life. The following are four important questions with biblical answers about the purpose and significance of baptism.

1. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is reserved only for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In order to be baptized according to the biblical pattern, a person must first exercise faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for their sins, was buried and rose from the dead.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:14

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8

2. WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?

The Bible indicates several reasons why we should be baptized.

• God commands that believers be baptized.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

• The Apostles taught obedience to Christ's commands.

"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:47-48

• The baptism of Jesus is an example of obedience.

"It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit decending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11

• The baptism of Jesus is a picture of identification. His baptism identified Him with mankind and it's sin. His baptism also identified the remedy for sin - His death, burial, and resurrection.

Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:2-4

3. HOW SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?

This important question relates to the method of baptism. The only method evident in the Bible is immersion.

• The word "baptize" means "to immerse." The Greek word "baptiso" is translated "baptism" in our English Bible means "to immerse, dip, or submerge."

• Jesus was immersed in His baptism.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water. Matthew 3:16

• Immersion is the only method of baptism that properly identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12

• The New Testament Church baptized by immersion.

So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 8:38

• Baptism should take place after conversion.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:12

• Baptism should take place at the first opportunity after conversion.

And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:33

For more information about baptism or scheduling your baptism date
contact the Outreach Office at 903-663-7354