I Should Be Baptized In Water
Now that I'm a Christian, I should be baptized in water. Water baptism is the Biblical way to witness publicly that I have accepted Christ as my personal Saviour.
COMMANDED BY JESUS
Jesus clearly taught that every Christian must be baptized in water.
Water baptism was ordained by Jesus Christ, both by His own example and by His direct commandment. The Bible says "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him" (Matthew 3:13). Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
Water baptism is a picture of what Christ has done in your heart. It is a symbolic act that shows in a visible way that Christ has washed away your sins and that you have buried your old sinful life and have been raised from death to a new life in Christ. Water baptism is a public confession that your sins are forgiven and that you have become a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRACTICED BY THE APOSTLES
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the people: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38). This was the very first sermon of the Church. Following that sermon, "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). Philip, a deacon, baptized his converts in Samaria (Acts 8:12). Also, he baptized an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38).
NEEDED BY ALL CHRISTIANS
Water baptism shows that we have been crucified with Christ. Paul said: "Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:6).
Water baptism shows that the we have died with Christ. Paul said: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3).
Water baptism shows that we have been resurrected with Christ. Paul said: "Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with Him." (Romans 6:8).
Water baptism shows that we are walking in newness of life. Paul said: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him". (Colossians 2:6)
MODE OF BAPTISM
The Biblical mode of baptizing is by immersion. The Bible teaches that a person receiving water baptism should be dip entirely under the water as a symbol of burial. Jesus "was baptized of John in Jordan. straightway coming up out of the water, he (John) saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him (Jesus)" (Mark 1:9,10).
Also, Philip baptized the Ethiopian by dipping him under the water, for Acts 8:38 says, ". . . they went down both into the water ... and he baptized him."
The New Testament teaches that water baptism should be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
QUESTIONS
Now that you are a Christian, have you obeyed the command of Jesus to be baptized in water? Have you followed His example?
COMMANDED BY JESUS
Jesus clearly taught that every Christian must be baptized in water.
Water baptism was ordained by Jesus Christ, both by His own example and by His direct commandment. The Bible says "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him" (Matthew 3:13). Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
Water baptism is a picture of what Christ has done in your heart. It is a symbolic act that shows in a visible way that Christ has washed away your sins and that you have buried your old sinful life and have been raised from death to a new life in Christ. Water baptism is a public confession that your sins are forgiven and that you have become a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRACTICED BY THE APOSTLES
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the people: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38). This was the very first sermon of the Church. Following that sermon, "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). Philip, a deacon, baptized his converts in Samaria (Acts 8:12). Also, he baptized an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38).
NEEDED BY ALL CHRISTIANS
Water baptism shows that we have been crucified with Christ. Paul said: "Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:6).
Water baptism shows that the we have died with Christ. Paul said: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3).
Water baptism shows that we have been resurrected with Christ. Paul said: "Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with Him." (Romans 6:8).
Water baptism shows that we are walking in newness of life. Paul said: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him". (Colossians 2:6)
MODE OF BAPTISM
The Biblical mode of baptizing is by immersion. The Bible teaches that a person receiving water baptism should be dip entirely under the water as a symbol of burial. Jesus "was baptized of John in Jordan. straightway coming up out of the water, he (John) saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him (Jesus)" (Mark 1:9,10).
Also, Philip baptized the Ethiopian by dipping him under the water, for Acts 8:38 says, ". . . they went down both into the water ... and he baptized him."
The New Testament teaches that water baptism should be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
QUESTIONS
Now that you are a Christian, have you obeyed the command of Jesus to be baptized in water? Have you followed His example?
