Who Can Be Water Baptized?

 

Anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ as the one who saves them from their sin and therefore, commits their life to Him are to be baptized.

 

• Acts 2:38 “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

 

• Acts 2:41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day. (NLT)

 

 

What Is The Purpose of Water Baptism?

More then a religious gesture, water baptism is a public declaration symbolizing you have put your faith in Jesus Christ as the one who is able to save you from your sin. By being baptized, you are identifying with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. It’s a public way of saying ‘goodbye’ to your old life and embracing new life through Jesus Christ.

 

• Romans 6:1-4 “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (NLT)

 

• Romans 6:11 “11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

 

 

Why Should I Be Baptized?

Looking at The Bible, there are a few reasons why believers should be baptized.

 

1.    Water Baptism Was Modeled By Jesus

 

• Matt 3:16-17 “16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

 

• John 3:22 “22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.”

 

• John 4:1-2 “The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.”

 

 

2.    Water Baptism Was The Normal Experience After Believing In Jesus Christ.

 

• Acts 2:38 “38 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 8:34-38 34 “The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 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?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”

 

• Acts 10:47-48 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

 

 

3.    Water Baptism Was Commanded by Jesus

 

In addition to baptism being the model followed throughout scripture. We believe water baptism is one of the two ordinances or commands given to the church by Jesus Christ. Though Baptism in itself does not save someone, we believe spiritual benefit comes from the practice of being obedient to God’s commands.

 

• Matt 28:19-20 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

 

How Should I Be Baptized?

 

“Baptize” comes from the Greek work baptizo. This word was used in the ancient world to convey the idea of an object being plunged or dipped. We believe baptism by full immersion in water is the form that best conveys the sense of this term.