Water Baptism
What is it?
Water baptism is an outward expression of what Christ has done on the inside. This public statement that you have been given a fresh start and a new beginning symbolizes the old life behind you and the new life ahead.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!
Acts 2:38 (NLT) Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven...
What is the meaning of water baptism?
Water baptism for the Christian represents our death, burial and resurrection with Christ. The new Christian publicly declares they have died and are now beginning a new life in Christ. Baptism identifies us with Christ.
Romans 6:3-11 (The Message) That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country. 6-11 Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did.
Why immersion?
The original Greek word ‘baptizo’ literally means “to immerse or dip under water”. When Jesus was baptized it was by immersion and each account of baptism in the Bible was done this way.
Matthew 3:16 (NLT) As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.
Who can be a candidate for water baptism?
Baptism is for those who have turned from their sin, believed with all their heart in Jesus Christ and agree to walk with Him daily.
1. Admit your need for Christ.
Romans 3:23 (NLT) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.
2. Accept Christ’s sacrifice.
Romans 3:22 (NLT) We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
3. Agree to walk with Him daily.
Colossians 1:9,10 (NLT) So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.