What Is Baptism?
What is the Meaning of Baptism?
Christian baptism means identification with the message of the Gospel, the person of the Savior, and the group of believers. It is a symbolic act of obedience for those who wish to publicly identify themselves as followers (disciples) of Jesus.
Why is Baptism Important?
Baptism is an important Christian ordinance and is associated with:
Forgiveness (Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Union with Christ (Rom 6:1-10)
Making disciples (Matt 28:19)
Repentance (Acts 2:38).
Baptism shows the community that the individual is now identified with Christ.
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation.
Christ was baptized as an example for us to follow (Matt 3:13-17).
Christ commanded that people be baptized in this age (Matt 28:19).
We can never fully imitate a sinless Person; yet we are to follow His steps, and baptism was one of them (1 Pet 2:21).
The Lord approved of His disciples baptizing (John 4:1-2).
The early church gave an important place to baptism (Acts 2:38, 41: 8:12-13, 36, 38: 9:18; ▪ 10:47-48; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5).
The New Testament used the ordinance to picture or symbolize important theological truths (Rom 6:1-10; Gal 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21).
The writer to the Hebrews termed baptism a foundational truth (Heb 6:1-2).
The commitment of baptism is the sealing of a covenant between a person and his Lord.
Who can be Baptized?
Believing adults and believing children. Every example of baptism involved only those who had made a personal commitment to Jesus.
Baptism is commanded (Matthew 28:18-20 ):
18 - And Jesus came up 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit.
19 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 - Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Christ was our example (Matthew 3:13-17):
13 - Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.
14 - But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"
15- But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.
16 - After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
17 - and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
We are baptized because we have had our sins forgiven (Acts 2:38-41):
38 - Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 - "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."
40 - And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"
41 - So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
What is the Mode (Method) of Baptism?
Immersion-is the primary meaning of baptize (to dip or immerse under water). The Greek language has words for sprinkle and pour that are never used of baptism. which is death to the old life and resurrection to the new (Rom 6:1-4). Best pictures the death of Christ and His resurrection.
When do you get Baptized?
The examples in the New Testament indicate that believers were baptized right after they believed. Always believe and then be baptized (Matt 3:2-6; 28:19; Acts 2:37-38; 16:14-15, 34)] 3-All who were baptized in the household believed. (1 Cor 7:14) This would exclude infants from being included in the baptisms. Baptism is a point of obedience for a follower of Christ and therefore should be one of the first steps that a new believer has made after he has made a personal commitment to follow Christ.
Content adapted from [Elder Barbara Jones, Voices of Faith Ministries], [Scriptural Facts about Baptism], [Year 2010]
References
House, H. Wayne “Charts of Christian Theology & Doctrine.” Grand Rapids, Zondervan 1992 Chart 79 New American Standard Bible Ryrie, Charles C. “Basic Theology” Chicago – Moody Press – 1999 pgs. 388-89, 417-22, 438, 488-92
