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BELIEVERS' BAPTISM
God's command includes baptism. The Great Commission in 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 all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."We are not saved by baptism, but by faith in Jesus Christ, and His blood cleanses us from all sin. Baptism is an outward symbol of what has already transpired in one who has trusted Jesus Christ for full salvation. Baptism is a vital part of the Great Commission.
WHEN SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
1. After we have been saved.
Following the pattern in the New Testament recorded in Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."Notice that the person was saved and then baptized. Notice this sequence in practice in the conversions of Paul (Acts 9:18), Cornelius (Acts 10:27), the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:38), Crispus (Acts 18:8), and others.
2. Soon after we have been saved.
All of the New Testament. Scriptures bear out the fact that those who gladly received the message of Christ and believed in Him were baptized immediately after salvation. As soon as possible after we get saved, we should come forward for baptism, have baptism explained to us, and be baptized.
WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
1. Scriptural Baptism is what Christ Himself did."Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up 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: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13-17)2. Scriptural Baptism is obedience to God's command.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - (Acts 2:38)"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:48)"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
We have His command and that should be enough for us. Also it is important to note there is no such thing in the This follows the pattern established in the book of Acts.
3. Scriptural Baptism is a testimony to the world.
Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32) After getting saved, we could get on the public address system at Candlestick park and tell everyone about our salvation. We could rent a sign on the freeway to advertise our salvation. But the Lord has given us a better way, a way found in the Bible. Our baptism is a public testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Scriptural Baptism is a picture of the Gospel
By baptism, we identify ourselves with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is the core of the Gospel by which we are saved, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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."
Baptism is a picture of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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." (Romans 6:3-4)
5. Scriptural Baptism is a means of blessing.
Obedience to God always brings blessings. Baptism does not save us, nor is it a part of our salvation, but it surely does add to the joy of our salvation, knowing that we have been obedient in this matter.
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21)
In this passage, water baptism is a "like figure" (picture) of spiritual baptism (indwelling of the Holy Ghost). When we have been baptized in water, we have a "good conscience towards God" because we have obeyed what we know He wanted us to do.
HOW SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
1. In the manner specified in the Bible
The Bible teaches Baptism by immersion by the very word used. The Greek word "baptizo" means "to dip, to plunge under, to submerge." The Greek words translated "to pour" or "to sprinkle" are never found in connection with baptism.
In addition, various expressions used in Bible accounts of Baptisms are definite evidence that Scriptural Baptism is by immersion.
"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." (John 3:23)"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: andthey went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:36-38)"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him." (Mark 1:9-10)
2. In the manner which fulfills the typology of the act.
Earlier, we looked at Romans 6:3-4 to show what baptism is.
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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." (Romans 6:3-4)
We saw that baptism must picture three things - the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is easy to see that the ONLY form of baptism that fulfills all of these types is the immersion of a believer in water.
