BAPTISM
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. –Matthew 28:19
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
The word “baptism” literally means “to immerse”. In simple terms it means to submerge. Biblical Baptism is by immersion in water after salvation. There is no record in the Bible of anyone being baptized by sprinkling or pouring.
The Bible teaches that baptism is an outward expression of your inward decision to trust Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism itself does not save you. It simply shows people that you have been saved. It is much like the symbol of a wedding ring. Wearing a ring doesn’t make you married. It shows others that you are married and identifies you with your spouse. Baptism identifies us with Christ and his local church. Baptism symbolizes your membership in the local church.
Romans 6:3-5 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Believer’s Baptism is for people who have confessed their personal faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation. Baptism does not wash away sin. It has no saving power. It is a symbol of the Gospel. There are no instances of babies being baptized recorded in the Bible. Only those who freely accept Christ as their Savior should be baptized.
Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
There are five compelling reasons that every believer in Christ should be baptized by immersion in water after salvation. If you have accepted Christ, but have never been baptized, you should choose to be baptized as soon as possible.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
While we don’t set an age, we look for evidence that a person has understood and answered the call to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and are able to make this statement of their personal faith in a public setting. As an expression of personal faith in Christ, baptism is only meaningful when the person has made this decision on their own and not out of obedience to another person.
