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One of the most important things
for a child of God is to be obedient to Him. The Bible says
obedience is better than sacrifice. Baptism is a step of
obedience for the believer to the command of our Lord Jesus
Christ as found in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Henceforth, water
baptism is not a personal choice, but a command for all
believers (Mark 16:16).
The English word baptism, a substantive noun, is a translation
of the Greek word baptismos. In the verbal form it is baptizein
means “to dip into or to immerse”. The word baptizo means: I
baptize or I immerse and can never be translated as anything
else. Whenever the New Testament refers to baptism, the word
bapto is used in one form or another-and this always signifies
immersion.
You cannot be baptized simply to become a member of a church or
because somebody may think it’s a good idea. Mk.16:16 "He who
believes and is baptized will be saved.” Acts 2:38 "Repent, and
let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins…” Baptism is an ordinance of the church,
because it is something that Jesus Himself ordained. This is how
during Bible days believers were accepted when they make a
public statement of their faith on Christ Jesus as their
personal Lord and Savior. Peter makes comparison with Noah and
his family going through the flood in the ark (1Pet.3:20-21).The
water of the Flood brought judgment on then world that was full
of corruption and full of violence (Gen.6:5, 11). Therefore,
water symbolizes judgment that Jesus in His death took upon
Himself for the people of all ages. The water did not cleanse
Noah and his family, but the faith that caused them to believe
and obey God and build the Ark. So the water baptism does not
cleanse us, but the faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ prior
to baptism which leads us to obey this command. Before you
decide about who is qualified to take baptism you should answer
the following questions:
Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Have I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and
Savior?
Have I repented of my sins and asked forgiveness of my sins?
Have I become a new person in Christ?
(Mk. 16:15-16; Acts16:31–33; 18:8).
Infant and Child baptism
Now infant and children cannot repent of their sins, they have
no idea about having faith in Christ. John the Baptist refused
to baptize the religious leaders as they had not repented of
their sins and they had not been born again. Therefore, only
those who have ability to repent and are saved can be baptized.
Children are dedicated unto the Lord and when they reach to the
age of accountability then they should repent of their sins and
then be baptized. Baptism by itself will not save anyone. It is
repentance of sins and faith in Jesus Christ will save us. Jesus
says children are already part of the kingdom of God. Mk.10:14
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for
of such is the kingdom of God.”
Infants should not be baptized because:
1. There is no Scriptural basis for this practice.
2. Babies cannot repent of their sins.
3. They cannot confess the faith as Jesus is the Lord and Savior
of their lives.
4. They cannot be taught all the commands that Jesus
commissioned to His disciples to teach after their baptism
(Matt.28:19).
5. Baptism must be taken willingly and infants cannot choose to
obey God in Baptism. They do not understand about sin and
walking in spiritual victory.
Importance of Baptism
1. It was commanded by Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:19-20. He
says in John14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it
is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My
Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
2. Christ set an example. He did nothing without purpose,
He himself took baptism to set an example for us to follow in
His footsteps (1 Pet. 2:21; Mt 3:15).
3. To fulfill all righteousness. Mt 3:15 But Jesus
answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it
is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed
Him.
4. The Apostles commanded believers to be baptized (Acts
2:38).
5. Baptism is for all those who believe. Baptism is an
outward demonstration of an inward faith. (Acts 8:5, 12; 35-38).
6. In baptism, the believer identifies with Christ. When
I am baptized I demonstrate what Christ did for me in His death,
burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-6). I die to sin. I am
buried like Christ... I am raised in the power of the Holy Ghost
as a brand new person.
7. Baptism is a very important confession of faith to enter
into the body of Christ. 1Cor. 12:13 “For by one Spirit we
were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether
slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one
Spirit.”
8. It is dangerous to reject this command. Luke 7:30 “But
the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for
themselves, not having been baptized by him.” Mt 7:21 “Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Mode and formula of Baptism
Immersion is the mode that was practiced in the New Testament
Church. Sprinkling or pouring of water has no scriptural basis.
The word sprinkling known as Christening
comes from the Greek word “rantizo” and is never used in terms
of any form of New Testament baptism. When Jesus was baptized,
He came “up out of the water” (Mk. 1:10). When Philip baptized
the Ethiopian Eunuch, both of them went “down into” and came “up
out of” the water (Acts 8:38-39). And the formula has to be what
Jesus commanded to His disciples in Matt. 28:19-20. In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Any other
assumption (in the name of Jesus.) taken will not be biblical.
Some references given in Acts is not formula but simply a
differentiation from the Baptism of the Jewish, heathen and the
baptism of John the Baptist. (Acts 19:3-5). Any other baptism is
not correct or complete baptism. In Acts 19:1-7, there were 12
disciples who had only taken the baptism of John the Baptist
hence Paul explained to them the way of the Lord and they were
re-baptized.
Who can perform the ordinance of water baptism?
A person who himself is saved and baptized by immersion in the
water and who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit should
minister the rite of water baptism (Acts 2:38-42; 8:14-17;
10:44-48).
The Bible tells about seven kinds of Baptisms
This does not mean that you have to take seven baptisms but
these are for you to understand that there are other baptisms
also. Study of these scripture will help you to follow the Word
of God in its full meaning and completeness. Ephesians 4:5 says,
“…one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
1. Baptism in the cloud and in the sea. 1 Cor. 10:1-2
2. Baptism of John the Baptist in water. Mk. 1:1-8
3. Baptism of Jesus in water. Lk. 3 & Matt. 3
4. Believer’s Water Baptism Acts 2:44-48
5. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Lk. 3:16; Acts 11:16.
6. Baptism into the body of Christ (Church). Gal. 3:27; 1Cor.
12:13
7. Baptism of suffering/Fire. Lk. 12:50, Phil.1:29
Procedure of the Service
1. Prayer.
2. Song or hymn which conveys the meaning and importance of
Baptism.
3. Scripture reading. Matt. 3:1-17, 28:18-20; Mk. 1:1-11,
16:14-17; Acts 2:38-42; 8:26-39; 10:44-48; Rom.6:1-13 etc.
4. Short message by the minister.
5. The Pastor first enters the water, and then candidates appear
individually.
6. Holding the candidate individually Pastor asks the candidate
basic questions about his born again experience, faith in the
triune God and on the life, death, burial, resurrection and
second coming of Jesus Christ.
7. Then the candidate says I do. Then Pastor shall say: “Upon
the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I now
baptize you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit.”
8. When the candidate comes out of the water, the Pastor
admonishes, “Be faithful until death and you will receive the
crown of life.”
The service is ended with the song or hymn and with final prayer
and benediction.
My responsibility after Baptism.
In Acts 2:38-42 we find detail about a believer’s
responsibilities after baptism.
1. Devotion to Apostolic teaching/doctrine.
2. Regular fellowship with other believers.
3. Participation in the Holy Communion.
4. Prayer.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from
The Holy Bible, New King James version [NKJV].
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