Get to know more about water baptism.
Perhaps you’re wondering what it means to be baptized. Why should I be baptized? If I’ve already been baptized, do I need to be baptized again? Does it matter if I am sprinkled or immersed? The Bible teaches that baptism is the first step of following Jesus after becoming a believer in Him. Baptism is a sign to the world of your new commitment to Christ! Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian; it shows that you are. Like a wedding ring doesn’t make you married, it signifies that you are.
THE ONLY PREREQUISITE FOR BAPTISM IS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM? Baptism identifies us with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . and He rose again Colossians 2:12 – For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christian. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer—it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you; only your faith in Christ does that. •Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Baptism is like a wedding ring—it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart. A ring doesn’t make you married, it says you are married. 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 Corinthians 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.
– •Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
WHY BE BAPTIZED UNDER WATER?
Jesus was baptized that way and it symbolizes a burial and resurrection. •Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water… Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The Greek word baptizo means to immerse or dip under water.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has believed in Christ should be baptized. Acts 2:41 Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized . . . Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:13 Simon himself believed and was baptized . . . At Living Water, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. We have a ceremony where our children are dedicated to God.
THE ONLY PREREQUISITE FOR BAPTISM IS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM? Baptism identifies us with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . and He rose again Colossians 2:12 – For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christian. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer—it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you; only your faith in Christ does that. •Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Baptism is like a wedding ring—it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart. A ring doesn’t make you married, it says you are married. 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 Corinthians 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.
– •Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
WHY BE BAPTIZED UNDER WATER?
Jesus was baptized that way and it symbolizes a burial and resurrection. •Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water… Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The Greek word baptizo means to immerse or dip under water.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has believed in Christ should be baptized. Acts 2:41 Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized . . . Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:13 Simon himself believed and was baptized . . . At Living Water, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. We have a ceremony where our children are dedicated to God.
This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you can after you have believed. Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, see, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may and he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you can after you have believed. Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, see, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may and he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.