Why Get Baptized-
In order to understand the reason for being water baptised, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it…
Jesus Himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet He was Baptized to keep all the Father gave Him to display how He would go into the Grave and Resurrect a New Creation.
That’s what happens when we are baptized-
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on Him.
Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love.” Mark 1:9
Water baptism is an act of faith and believing the commands of Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to believe, receive and follow everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in Heaven- Matt:10:31
It is the next step after salvation through faith and is an important foundation for following Christ.
Then He said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.” Mark 16:16
What is the meaning and significance of baptism?
A Move From Death to Life:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead.
“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ.
When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God-
God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:12-14
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the ‘old life’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’.
Here is one simple way to explain baptism:
Baptism is a symbol. It’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust, and have put your hope in Christ.
Baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation and I’m committed to living for Him.
The Bible says;
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4
Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one!
Baptism does not ‘save’ you; only your faith in Christ does that.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9
The Bible tells us to baptise believers “… into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, Matthew 28:19.
Baptism confirms our position ‘in Christ’ and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children.
Baptism also connects us to the ‘body of Christ’, his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.
“…For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body…” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
How are we to be baptised?
As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptise” comes from the Greek word “baptise” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.
“As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16.
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.
“…then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water….” Acts 8:38,39.
Who should be baptised?
Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6).
The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!
“Those who accepted his message were baptised….” Acts 2:41.
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.” Acts 8:12.
We believe in baptising children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief.
As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptised.
“Those who accepted his message were baptised….” Acts 2:41.
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-39.
So, now that you have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for your sin as a born again Child Of God make the next step in being Baptized.
Love in Christ, Pastor Joe
Watch highlights-from our last Baptism by taping on this link below-