Believer’s Baptism

What does baptism mean?

Baptism is a picture of Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It is a public expression of your profession of faith in Christ as your Saviour. Being baptized does not take you to Heaven; it simply shows that you have trusted in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made by dying on the cross and rising again.

“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.” Romans 6:4

Does baptism apply to me?

God’s Word, the Bible, tells us in several passages that once we have repented, we should be baptized. It is an act of obedience.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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.” Matthew 28:18-20

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16

“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.” Acts 2:38

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

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12

Why should I be baptized?

Not only does the Bible tell us we should be baptized, but Jesus Christ Himself set the example for us to follow by being baptized by John the Baptist.

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

How should I be baptized?

The word baptize in the Bible is defined – to immerse or submerge. In order to signify Christ’s death and resurrection, we are to be submerged in water. This is done as a local church ordinance.

“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 Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:38-39

When should I be baptized?

Once you have trusted Christ and believed on Him alone for salvation, the next step in your Christian life is to be baptized into your local church. Talk to the Pastor about when you could take the next step in Believer’s Baptism.

“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.” Acts 8:36-37

What if I am not baptized?

While baptism is not required for salvation, it is an important first step of obedience to Christ in the life of every new Christian. The Christian who refuses to be baptized could be compared to a wife who refuses to accept her wedding ring. By not being baptized, you are disobeying Christ and actually telling Him that you are ashamed that He is your Saviour. You are missing the blessing of committing yourself to Christ through obedience and losing the testimony you might have through your public identification with Him.

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

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” John 8:31