'An Independent Baptist Church'
Baptism
According to the New TestamentWHY BE BAPTIZED?
1) Because you want to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:9 says, "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."
2) Because Jesus commanded it. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "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 whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. A-men."
3) Because it shows that you have been saved. Acts 18:8 says, "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all of his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized." Salvation always comes before baptism.
4) Obeying Christ's command is a sign that you know Him.1 John 2:3 says, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
1) It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 says, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also recieved, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;"
2) It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Romans 6:4 says, "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."
*Baptism does not make you a Christian. Baptism shows that you are already a Christian. It is an outward expression of an inward act which has already taken place. Baptism, like a wedding ring, is the outward symbol of the unashamed commitment already made in the heart. Water baptism is not necessary for one to get to Heaven, for Paul said in 1Corinthians 1:17 "for Christ sent me NOT to baptize but to preach the gospel..." Now Paul would not have said that if water baptism was essential to salvation! It is however one of the first things we should do after we are saved.
HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
1) The same way Jesus was baptized...by immersion in water. Matthew 3:16 says, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went 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."
2) Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. Acts 8:38-39 is one example.
3) The word "baptize" literally means to "immerse under water". The Greek word "baptizo" means "immerse or dip under water".
4) It is the way to picture the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has made the decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour should be baptized - see Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12-13.The one requirement for baptism is faith in Jesus Christ.
We do not baptize children until they:are old enough to understand their need for salvation and have already prayed to recieve Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (gotten saved).
WHEN ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
One should be baptized as soon as possible after they have recieved Christ as Lord and Saviour. See, Acts 2:31, Acts 8:36-39, James 4:17
WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED AS A BABY?
(Being baptized twice)
Gospel Center Church believes it is Biblical to be baptized again if you have not been baptized by immersion since you became a Christian. This does not devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to be baptized in the same way that Jesus was baptized. It should be that every Christian has been baptized by immersion as Jesus Christ demonstrated and commanded us to follow.
Special Thanks to Joe Esarey for this page.
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