Baptism

What does the Bible say about Baptism?

Baptism is commonly referred to as the first step of obedience after one has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.  In our analogy of starting the race (On Your Mark – Get Set – Go), it is impossible to move ahead without following Christ in this area.

Let’s answer several questions about Scriptural Baptism:

Why should I be Baptized?

When a person is baptized the Pastor will comment, “Upon your public profession of your faith in Him and obedience to his command, I baptize you my brother/sister in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, buried in the likeness of His death, raised in the likeness of His resurrection.”

  1. You should be baptized to follow Christ’s example .

            Matthew 3:13  “ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” 

  1. You should be baptized as a public profession.

            Matthew 10:32 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

            Romans 10:11…  “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

Wedding rings don’t cause people to be married. They outwardly demonstrate what happened on the wedding day.

 

When should I be Baptized?

  1. As soon as possible.

            Acts 2:41… “Then they gladly received his word and were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

  1. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

            James 4:17… “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not to him it is sin.

 

How should I be Baptized? 

  1. Scriptural baptism is by immersion.

            Matthew 8:38 – 39…. “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. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Phillip, that  the eunuch saw him no more: and hew went on his way rejoicing.”

  1. Scriptural baptism pictures the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

            Romans 6:4-6… “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. 5  For if we have been  planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6  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.

This is not Pastor Wilcox!

This is only a picture of him.

 

 

Where should I be Baptized? 

  1. At a Bible Believing local church.

            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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

  1. Individuals, cults and false religions do not have the authority to baptize.

            Acts 2:41 – 42… “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added about them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship,    and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

            Acts 2:47… “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

  1. Baptism places you into the membership of our church.

            I Corinthians 12:13… “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

 

Who should be Baptized?

  1. Only Believers should be baptized.

            Acts 2:41… “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

            Acts 8: 36-37… “And 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 Phillip 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.

  1. Only those who desire to walk in newness of life.

            Romans 6:4… “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.”