WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT
WATER BAPTISM
WATER BAPTISM - ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
WHY BE BAPTIZED?
1. Because you want to follow Christ's
example. "At the time Jesus came from
Nazareth and was baptized by John in the
river." (Mark 1:9)
2. Because Christ commanded it. Jesus said
"Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
and then teach them to obey everything I
have commanded you." (Matt. 28:19-20)
3. Because it shows you are a believer.
"many of the Corinthians who heard
him believed and were baptized." (Acts
18:8)
4. Because obeying Christ's command shows
that you know Him. "We know that we
have come to know Him, if we obey His commands."
(1 John 2:3)
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
1. It is the symbol of Christ's burial
and resurrection. "Christ died for
our sins...he was buried...and he rose again."
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4) "For when you
were baptized, you were buried with Christ,
and in baptism you were also raised with
Christ." (Col. 2:12)
2. It is a symbol of your new life as a
Christian. "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 Cor. 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 also we might live a new life!"
(Romans 6:4) Baptism doesn not make you
a believer, it shows that you already are
one! Baptism does not save you, only your
faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like
a wedding ring - it's the outward symbol
of the commitment you made in your heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith...it is the gift of God -
not by works, so that no one can boast."
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
1. Like Jesus was baptized - by being immersed
in water. "As soon as Jesus was baptized,
He went up out of the water." (Matt.
3:16)
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion
under water. (Example) "...then both
Philip and the eunuch went down into the
water and Philip baptized him. When they
came up out of the water..." (Acts
8:38-39)
3. The word "Baptize" literally
means "to dip under water." The
Greek word "baptizmo" means "to
immerse or dip under water."
4. It is the best way to picture a burial
and resurrection. The founders of denominations
agree:
Martin Luther..."I would have those
who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed,
as the word imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin..."The word 'baptize'
signifies to immerse. It is certain that
immersion was the practice of the ancient
church."
John Wesley..."Buried with Him, alluding
to baptizing by immersion according to the
custom of the first church."
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has made the decision
to believe in Christ. "Those who believed
and accepted His message were baptized."
(Acts 2:41)
"But when they believed Philip as
he preached the Good News...and in the name
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and women." (Acts 8:13)
The one requirement for baptism is belief
in Christ! We do not baptize children until
they are old enough to understand and believe.
WHEN ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you have believed! You shouldn't
delay! "Those who believed...were baptized...that
day!" (Acts 2:41)
"Then Philip began with the scripture
and told him the Good News about Jesus.
As they traveled along the road, they came
to some water, and the eunuch said, Look
here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized
right now? Philip said, If you believe with
all your heart, you may. The official answered,
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God. Then both Philip and the eunuch went
down into the water and Philip baptized
him." (Acts 8:36-39 (paraphrase))
There is no reason to delay. As soon as
a person decides to believe in Christ, he
can and should be baptized. Old Town baptizes
two or three times a year at the Y.M.C.A.
WHAT ABOUT BEING BAPTIZED TWICE?
Our church recommends that you be baptized
again if you have not been baptized by immersion
since you became a believer. It doesn't
devalue a prior experience, but it simply
reflects your desire to be baptized in the
same way Jesus was baptized. Every Old Town
member has been baptized by immersion as
Jesus demonstrated and commanded us to follow.
CAN MY FAMILY BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?
Yes! If each family member understands
fully the meaning of baptismm and each one
has personally placed his/her trust in Christ
for salvation, we encourage families to
be baptized at the same time.
WILL I HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING?
No. At the beginning of the baptism service,
the pastor will briefly explain the meaning
of baptism. You will wait at the edge of
the water for your turn to be baptized.
The pastor will introduce you, briefly lower
you just under the water, and then you will
leave the water, dry off, and watch with
the others.
GOD WILL BLESS YOU AS YOU DEMONSTRATE YOUR
FAITH IN CHRIST!
By Donald H. Dinninger, Pastor
Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old
Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in
fulfilling the great commission by reaching
the lost by showing god's love in our communities
and beyond..
Find out how you can get involved in a
missions trip this year.
