Have you ever wondered why baptism is mentioned so often in religious circles? What's all this talk of Baptism about? What is Baptism?
You're not alone. It is not uncommon for newcomers and others with different religious backgrounds to wonder what is the big deal with baptism.
As some form of the word is used well over a hundred times in the New Testament, by Jesus and His disciples, it must have some real significance.
The news: Baptism is a Big Deal.
Baptism is fundamentally an ordinance. An ordinance that demonstrates the believer's life commitment to Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, this essential ordinance of Baptism is all too often left on the "back burner" for another time, due to financial and logistical restraints that often characterize today's churches and their places of worship..
Sadly, this is the case despite the fact that recent statisticss clearly suggest that a new believer's walk with Jesus is maintained for the long run most when that new believer is baptized soon after their salvation.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19
What Is the Meaning of Baptism?
- Baptism is a symbol of Christ´s burial and resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again."
I Cor. 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ."
Col. 2:12 - Baptism is a symbol of my new life as a Christian.
"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!"
2 Cor. 5:17
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!"
Rom. 6:4
Baptism does not make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you. Only your faith in Jesus Christ does that.
Baptism is like a wedding ring - it's the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
Why Should I be Baptized?
- To follow the example set by Jesus. "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river."
Mark 1:9 - Because Jesus commanded it. "Jesus said, 'Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'"
Matt. 28:19-20 - It demonstrates that I really am a believer. "...many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized ."
Acts 18:8 - Because obeying Jesus' command shows you know Him. "We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands."
1 John 2:3
Why be Baptized by Immersion?
- Because Jesus was baptized that way.
Jesus was immersed. The Bible says that Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan (Mark 1:9, 10). The Greek word, "eis", meant in or into. When Jesus came out of the water, the word "ek" was used, which means out of. So Jesus went into the water and came up out of the water.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water."
Matt. 3:16
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove."
Mark 1:9, 10
"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death..."
Romans 6:4a - baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
In New Testament times believers were immersed. The apostle Paul wrote that baptism is a burial (Romans 6:4), and that's why both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and came up out of the water.
"...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..."
Acts 8:38-39
What does the word itself mean? The word Baptize means "To dip under water" The Greek work Baptizo means "To immerse or dip under water". It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death..."
Romans 6:4a - The founders of denominations agree:
For more than 1200 years of Christian history, immersion was universally accepted as the way a person was baptized. Even the great Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley acknowledged that immersion was practiced in New Testament times.
Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin... "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."
John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.
Is Baptism a Work?
If it is, no one has suggested discarding it.
Practically all religions claiming to be Christian practice something called baptism. If it is a work whose work is it? Who is the actor?
The believer is commanded to submit, "to be baptized" (Acts 2:38). In other words, he is passive.
The promise is "the forgiveness of your sins." That's God's promise and God's work.
No one has done anything to deserve salvation except Jesus Christ, and obeying Him in baptism demonstrates our faith in Him alone as our Savior.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8,9
Does Anything Happen at Baptism?
When one is baptized does anything happen, or should anything happen?
The apostle Paul answers this in his writings. Paul speaks of the moment at which both Jews and Gentiles are clothed with Christ and describes it as the moment of baptism (Galatians 3: 26,27).
For New Testament writers, the mere mention of baptism presupposes a belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God.
The possibility of nonbelievers being baptized or of a believer's refusing baptism does not even occur to Paul. The Romans' baptism was much more than symbolic or figurative - some things happened, and those things made it totally inappropriate and inconsistent for them to continue to live in sin:
- they were baptized into Christ Jesus,
- into His death,
- united with Him,
- their old selves were crucified with Him,
- their bodies of sinwere done away with,
- they died to sin, and
- they were justified from sin.
It seems that Paul is making clear that baptism puts us into union with Christ and we participate with Him in His suffering and death, making us recipients of all the blessing implied by that death. When one submits himself to be baptized, as an expression of his faith and out of love for God, God affects change in the status of that person. That is why Paul wrote, "having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).
The change in relationship does not come because we merit or deserve it. It is God's Power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, that works the salvation of man, but He requires that we submit in trusting obedience.
"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly be united with Him in His resurrection.
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."
Romans 6:3-7
"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:37, 38
Who Should be Baptized?
In the Bible, the need to be baptized is always addressed to mature, responsible people who are capable of believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, changing their minds about sin (repentance) and wanting to obey God.
Those who are ready to trust Jesus completely for their salvation and those who are ready to repent of their sins should be baptized.
But when the Bible says trust and repent, it's talking about real commitment. You see, knowledge of the gospel (good news about Jesus) is what leads to belief and trust in Jesus (Romans 10:17). Do you believe in Jesus as the Son of God?
Godly sorrow is what leads to repentance. Are you truly sorry for your sins and their offense to God? Are you ready to let Jesus be the Lord of your life?
That's what repentance is, and that's the commitment you make when you are baptized into Christ. All spiritual blessings await you in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3), including His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), to help and empower you (Romans 8:26; Ephesians 3:16, 17).
"As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"
And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized Him."
Acts 8:36, 37
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation..."
2 Corinthians 7:10
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out..."
Acts 3:19a
"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name."
Acts 22:16
When Should I be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed! Don't delay.
"Those who believed...were baptized... that day !"
Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, 'Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized right now?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The man answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him."
Acts 8:35-38