Water Baptism: Being a disciple of Jesus means obeying His commands, and following Him in water baptism is definitely something he calls His followers to do.
The next water baptism opportunity is June 16th in our Sunday gathering, with the water baptism class being Sunday, June 9th at 9am in Room 201 (2nd floor; off the elevator to the right down the hall).
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
1. It is an outward expression of an inward reality.
Salvation and forgiveness of sin come only through “faith in Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 2:8,9). When we are baptized in water we declare publicly that we have identified with Jesus Christ as the Forgiver of our sin and Leader of our life. The ‘washing of water’ is an outward symbol of the inward cleansing that has already taken place through receiving God’s forgiveness, which comes by trusting in Christ and what He did on the cross.
2. It is a picture of the Gospel story.
That story is that Jesus died, was buried and rose again from the dead! Baptism, symbolically, tells that same story. Being put under the water in baptism symbolizes death and burial. We show that our old self has died and has been buried when we accepted Christ. Rising up out of the water symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus and that we also have risen to new life through Christ, by God’s grace and power.
WHY BAPTISM BY IMMERSION?
Baptism by immersion is the method of baptism practiced in the Bible. For example, in Acts 8:38 we are told that Philip and the man he was baptizing “went down INTO the water” (see John 3:23). The word ‘baptize’ literally means to ‘submerge’ or ‘dip’, which is how we see baptism carried out in the New Testament.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
We do not baptize infants, but only those who have personally trusted Christ and have an understanding of what baptism is. The Bible is clear that only those who have expressed personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior may be baptized.
The Bible states in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized....” You do not come to faith in Christ because you are baptized; you are baptized because you have already chosen to trust Christ fully.
WHY IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT?
1. Because Jesus Himself was baptized.
(Mark 1:9-11)
As followers of Christ we want to be like Him. He has left us an example that we should follow in His steps.
2. Because we want to obey Jesus.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus told His followers to “...make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...” It is what Jesus wants for every disciple. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” This includes baptism.
3. Because our baptism is a testimony to others.
When we are baptized we are giving testimony to our salvation and experience of coming into a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.