Water Baptisms
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is the public celebration announcing your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS NOT
Baptism does not save you: this means that it doesn’t purchase your way to heaven, assure you a personal relationship with Jesus, and does not wash away your sins. Baptism is in obedience to Christ and does not automatically make you a member of any denomination.
WHY DO IT?
Because Jesus did it. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17
Because Jesus commands you to do it in obedience. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:18-20
HOW TO DO IT
Followers of Jesus in the Bible were plunged into water. 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 eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:35-38
The original word in the Bible for Baptized is “Baptizo” and its specific meaning is “to immerse in a body of water.”
Being plunged into water is symbolic in two ways:
- It symbolizes Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection
- It symbolizes your death to sin and your new life in Jesus
- Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4
WHEN TO DO IT
Followers of Jesus in the Bible were baptized right after making a focused commitment of their lives to Jesus.
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:29-33