Why Baptism

Baptism

“Understanding Baptism.”
• Baptism & Jesus
• Wonderful Testimony of Baptism.
• What does the Scripture say about Baptism.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Understand first to be baptized you must be a disciple.

You must be a follower of Christ to be Baptized.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
It is amazing that we see the correlation of salvation & baptism throughout the New Testament. We must be a disciple, we become a follower of Jesus.

Water Baptism is a wonderful testimony of:
• A new direction and desire of life
Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
David’s personal fellowship with the Lord was his greatest joy.
Colossians 3:2 NKJV
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
• A total confidence on God
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• A new boldness to share and proclaim your faith
Ephesians 3:11-13 NKJV
according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, [12] in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. [13] Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
• A casting away of sinful habits
Colossians 3:8-10 NKJV
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, [10] and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
• A growing life of faith with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WATER BAPTISM:

1. Why should I be water baptized?
A believer should be water baptized because Jesus told us to do it. The Bible has a lot to say about water baptism and how it is designed to continue until Jesus Christ returns to rapture His church.
It is spoken of and commanded by Jesus in the Gospels. Matthew 28:19 NKJV
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
It is celebrated by the early church in the book of Acts

Acts 2:41 NKJV
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

&

Acts 8:30-39 NKJV
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. [33] In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” [34] So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. [36] Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” [37] Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” [38] So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. [39] Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
So it may be that the term simply denotes his high position in the queen’s administration. They celebrated and we will too.

Why should I be water baptized?
It is explained in the Epistles, we become one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27-28 NKJV
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:5 NKJV
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

2. Who should be baptized?
All disciples of Jesus Christ should be baptized. Baptism is an act of obedience and is limited to those who have personally received Jesus Christ as their Savior (trusting Him) and Lord (obeying Him)
3. What does water baptism mean?

It is a public declaration of a believer's identification with Jesus Christ and is an outward act signifying the inward work of salvation already wrought in the believer by God. It is the believer’s way of saying

Romans 6:1-6 NKJV
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? [2] Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? [3] Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? [4] Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised 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 united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, [6] knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

I love Jesus Christ and will follow Him all of my days, and
I want everyone to know of my commitment.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

4. How should we baptize?
Matthew 3:16 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

The Doctrine of Baptism
1. The remission of sin – Acts 22:16
Acts 22:12-16 NKJV
“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, [13] came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. [14] Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. [15] For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. [16] And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
2. The regeneration or the new birth –
Titus 3:5-6 NKJV
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Not By Works
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Salvation brings divine cleansing from sin and the gift of a new, Spirit-generated, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-protected life as God’s own children
3. Being engrafted into Christ –
Galatians 3:27 NKJV
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
5. How does water baptism testify to my new life in Christ?
It testifies to a new focus and purpose of life (Psalm 16:8; Colossians 3:2)
To a new and total dependence on God (John 15; Philippians 4:13)
To a new boldness to share and proclaim our faith (Ephesians 3:11-13)
To a casting away of sinful habits (Colossians 3:8 10)
To a growing life of faith with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)

IN WHOSE NAME SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
As part of the Great Commission, Jesus instructed the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Do you have to be baptized to be saved? No just look at the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." [40] But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." [42] Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." [43] And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
And so, if we are commanded to make disciples, baptize them and teach them finally. This is why we offer the opportunity to be baptized. But we continue to grow in the Lord. Strive for the marrow and meat of the word.

Why did Jesus think it was so important to be water baptized?
Mark 1:9-11 NKJV
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. [11] Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Remember John’s baptism was one of forgiveness of sin.
Mark 1:9 ESV
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

So why did Jesus need to be baptized? He was sinless.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John 1:29 ESV
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus is our High Priest would stand between God and man. But Jesus a sinless priest. He became a man he sympathized with us; he was never tempted in heaven. But on earth he was tempted. He understands.

Jesus didn’t come to repent that is why John tells him.
Matthew 3:14 ESV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
1 John 3:5 ESV
You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

But in is baptism He associated w/us sinners & placed Himself among the guilty.
a) Not for His own salvation but for ours.
b) Not for His own guilt but for ours.
c) Not because He feared the wrath to come, but to save us from it

Mark 1:9-11 NKJV
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. [11] Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

First Jesus is being obedient to the Father.
This act of submission affirmed His deity and public ministry.
Fully God-Fully Man but being obedient to Father.

Philippians 2:6-11 ESV
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 3:13 ESV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
John tried to stop Jesus from being baptized, but Jesus knew it was His Father’s will. His baptism gave approval to John’s ministry. Jesus was also identifying with tax collectors and sinners, the very people He came to save. But mainly, His baptism pictured His future baptism on the cross.
Also, the baptism of Jesus stood as a profound picture of the Gospel message He would preach and fulfill. It pictured His death as the sacrificial atonement for sin and resurrection from the dead!

Romans 6:3-4 NKJV
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? [4] Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
It is because water baptism is an open and outward symbol of a Christian’s personal relationship with Him.
The word “baptism” comes from an ancient Greek word that means “to immerse.” Therefore, baptism is the immersion of a believer under water. Some churches practice pouring or sprinkling of water, but this does not fully illustrate the death and rebirth of the person.
Baptism is an important step to take for every person who accepted Jesus as their Savior, because it is a public proclamation of their salvation and that they will follow Jesus all the days of their lives!

We believe the Bible teaches "total immersion", not pouring, sprinkling, or three times under. Immersion gives weight and value to the symbolism of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection! The examples in Scripture strongly imply immersion rather than any other mode:
ENTERING INTO the water:
The open admission that my old allegiance and selfishness to my life is dead.
SUBMERSION UNDER the water:
The outward acknowledgment that the old man and his ways are dead and buried.
COMING UP OUT OF the water:
The public commitment to walk in the newness of life in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:12-13 NKJV
buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Remember: Water baptism is a picture of what has already taken place in the hearts of God’s children.

SHOULD INFANTS AND CHILDREN BE BAPTIZED?
After Peter spoke at Pentecost, “those who gladly received his word [in its entirety] were baptized” (Acts 2:41, emphasis added). In the New Testament, every instance in which a person was baptized and his or her identity was given, that person was an adult. In light of Scripture, infant baptism must be ruled out, because infants cannot receive the Word of God and understand it. However, infants are to be dedicated to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:26-28).
Children may be baptized if they receive and understand God’s Word.
In each of the cases above, the person being baptized was a believer. Thus, we need to stress the importance of knowing the scriptural and spiritual basis of baptism. Without the ability to know or understand, water baptism would be a meaningless ritual.