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 Many people have questions regarding the Christian faith and some of those questions concern Water Baptism. What is water baptism? Why should I be baptized? When should I be baptized? Should I be baptized by total immersion or should I just have water sprinkled or poured on me? Should I have my baby baptized? Does water baptism save me?
There are many different traditions when it comes to Water Baptism, but let's cut through the tradition and go straight to the Truth, the Bible, to see what it has to say about this subject.
1. What is Water Baptism
Christian water baptism is a symbolic, yet very spiritual experience in which a person once he has repented and believes, identifies himself with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection in a very real and tangible way by being immersed in water on the authority of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has its roots in Jewish practice during the pre-Christian era. Converts to Judaism were baptized to express their faith in Jehovah God. When John the Baptist came upon the scene to prepare the hearts of the Jews to receive their Messiah, he demanded repentance, confession of sin, and baptism in water. Jesus Himself was baptized of John (Matthew 3:16). After this, He and His disciples baptized large numbers of believers (John 3:22, 4:1-2). He included baptism as a vital part of the inauguration of a convert into the church He established (Mark 16:16).
After His resurrection, He instructed His apostles to "Go... teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). Having their understanding opened to the will of God, regarding the plan of redemption, they were filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost. That day Peter preached a sermon that brought them under deep conviction for their sins. They asked the apostles, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).
Peter's answer was unmistakably plain: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38)
This command established the pattern for the New Testament church and continues even today.
2. The Meaning of the Word Baptize
Baptize comes from the Greek word Baptizo meaning to dip, to immerse, to plunge, to envelope. By definition and usage, the word means "to put into or under water so as to entirely immerse or submerge".
Throughout the years, there has been a controversy over the "how" of water baptism, but a simple understanding of the meaning of the word clarifies the issue.
Many pour water over or sprinkle water on a candidate but it is my conviction through studying what the Bible has to say on the subject, that we should be scriptural and bury the candidate in water by total immersion. Water baptism by total immersion is the only method that typifies burial. You don't bury a deceased person by sprinkling or pouring dirt upon them. You bury them by totally immersing them in earth. You baptize someone in water the same way. You immerse them or bury them in water. God delights in detailed obedience to His Word.
Scripture supports baptism by immersion:
John 3:23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there and they came and were baptized.
The key word is "much". John the Baptist chose Aenon to baptize his converts because there was an abundance of water to submerge them in water.
Acts 8:36-38-And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him.
Phillip didn't dip some water and pour it over the Eunuch's head. They both went down into the water. The inference is they waded out into the water until there was enough water to baptize the Eunuch by total immersion.
Mark 1:5-10 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
All these scriptures suggest that the baptism candidate was submerged in the water.
3. The Person Who Should be Baptized
-One who has repented.
Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said repent and be baptized everyone of you......
Note the order; repentance is to proceed baptism. Many times children are baptized as infants but baptism follows repentance and unless a person repents of their sin there is no point in baptizing them, whether they be an infant, child, teenager or adult.
What repentance is not
- It is not regret or worldly sorrow.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Worldly sorrow is simply being sorry "for getting caught", but not being sorry for the crime committed.
- It is not reformation or turning over a "new leaf".
Jesus did not come to put a new piece on an old garment.
Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
- It is not being religious.
The Pharisees were extremely religious but they never experienced repentance, rather crucified Christ.
Matthew 3:7-12 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- It is not believe-ism or mental assent, or mental faith which is merely acceptance and assent to a set of creeds or doctrines, but without any change in the life. This is dead faith.
James 2:19-20 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- It is not conviction of sin -
Act 24:24-25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Conviction precedes repentance but not all who are convicted repent.
What Repentance Is
a. Repentance is your turning away from your sin and giving your life to God. It is an about face, a 180 degree turn in your life, a turn around, a change. Repentance is the only way to God. Through repentance, faith comes into your life and this new life is one lived completely by faith in Jesus Christ. The moment you repent, you receive a release.
Repentance also effects your family and friends. You will receive a new interest and understanding of their problems and you will discover a new desire to help them and to bring them to Christ.
Finally, through repentance, you will receive a new revelation from God and His Word (The Bible), will speak to you in a new and living way.
The root of repentance is a changing of the mind or a change of the heart and attitude and this in particular concerning sin and your relationship with God.
Repentance brought about by the Holy Spirit faces an individual toward God.
Romans 2:4 Or dispisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
b. It is done by one who believes with all his heart.
Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
c. One who has been taught.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The candidate should understand the meaning of baptism.
4. The Significance of Baptism
When a person repents of sin and believes in Christ, inviting Him to become their Lord and Saviour, they are united to Christ. They become a member of the church, the Body of Christ and now have a spiritual position described in the New Testament as being in Christ.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Being united with Christ is a life changing experience because now He is in our lives.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
and God is at work in our hearts to make us more and more like Jesus.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
a. It signifies an identification with Christ in:
1, Death -- "we are baptized into His death."
Meaning our old ways and selfish ideas die.
2. Burial -- "buried with Him"
Our old life is buried or completely done away with.
3. Resurrection "shall be raised also in the likeness of His resurrection"
New life springs forth
4. A New Walk "We also walk in newness of life."
We are baptized signifying our identification with Christ and the beginning of a new walk.
Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
b. It signifies the fact that you have a good conscience and you will answer to God with that:
I Peter 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Many never have a clear conscience because they never take this step. "to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, is sin."
c. It signifies I am willing to fulfill all righteousness even as Jesus did.
Matthew. 3:15 "suffer it to be so now: for thus becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."
d. It signifies circumcision of the heart.
Col. 2:11-12 "you were circumcised when you were buried with him in your baptism." (Amplified Bible)
God instituted physical circumcision, as a seal of His covenant made with Abraham
Genesis. 17:10-11-This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Water baptism is the seal of the new covenant signifying, not the circumcision of the flesh, but of the heart.
e. It signifies a belonging to Christ and His Body.
Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Even in the Old Testament times, proselytes were baptized signifying that they belonged to a new body of believers.
f. There is a release realized in water baptism.
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
We are released from being the people we once were. We are new creatures in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Remission means a release from, forgiveness of sins, cancellation of debt or penalty
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
5. The Reason For Baptism
There are four reasons why we as followers of Christ should be baptized by total immersion in water.
a. Christ's Example
Matthew. 3:13-15 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
The first reason we are baptized then is to follow Christ's example.
b. Christ's Commandment
Matthew. 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We must be obedient to the Word of the Lord. It should be the first act of obedience of a born again believer
c. The Practice of the Disciples
John 4:1-3 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee
Jesus disciples baptized their converts immediately upon conversion.
d. The Practice of the Early Church
Acts 2:38-41 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
6. The Time For Water Baptism (or when)
Water baptism in the scriptures took place usually immediately upon conversion as these examples show:
a.Phillip at Samaria
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
b. The Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
c. The Apostle Paul
Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
d. Cornelius' House
Acts 10:46-48 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
e. Lydia and her house at Philippi
Acts 16:14-15-And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
f. The Philippian Jailer and his house
Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
g. The converts at Corinth
Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
h. The converts at Ephesus
Acts 19:4-5 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
In other words, "If you have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, right now is the time to be baptized."
CONCLUSION
We trust this teaching on "Water Baptism" has answered many of your questions regarding the subject and has challenged you to look into this matter for yourself.
If you have enjoyed this teaching e-mail us and let us know
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