Baptism

Many are confused with what baptism is. There are those who believe is it not necessary. These are those who believe that it is needed in order to be saved.

There are different ways of baptism.

1. Some are baptized by sprinkling water on them.
2. Some are poured with a small amount of water.
3. Some are tapped on the forehead.

All these are not the ways taught by the Bible. With God’s grace, we will help enlighten the doctrine of baptism according to the Scripture.

What does Baptism mean?

The word baptism is from the Greek word Baptizo, to immerse in water. The one being baptized is immersed in water to symbolize that he is cleansed from sins. In the Bible, enough water is needed to be completely immersed as in the baptism of the Lord Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-16) and Eunuch in Acts 8:36-39. Baptism depicts three things:

1. When we are immersed in water, it means we are buried with the Lord Jesus (Romans 6:3).
2. When we are seized out of the water, it signifies that we are resurrected from our spiritual death (Romans 6:4).
3. When we are completely taken out of the water, it symbolizes our walk with our renewed life in the Lord Jesus. (Romans 6:4-5). Baptism tells us of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is something that a believer decides as being one with our Lord Jesus that he is veering away from his old wicked ways and will follow Him. It is also a decision to serve and live with HIM (Romans 6:6, 11-13). Being baptized is like being married. In marriage, a man and a woman are made one. It is being one with the Lord Jesus and being separated from sin. The one baptized will no longer live in sin (Romans 6:1-2, 16, 17, 22).

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

1. Those who truly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and those who are sure that they have eternal life (John 5:24, 10:28, 29; 1 John 5:13). In Acts 2:41, those who believed in the Word of God were baptized.
2. The true disciple of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:19)
3. The saved servant of God is the one who learned, accepted and is living for the Lord Jesus. A baby must not be baptized because he doesn’t understand yet what salvation is. Those who do this clearly violate the Scriptures.

WHY SHOULD YOU GET BAPTIZED?

1. The Lord Jesus did it Himself although He did not sin (Matthew 3:13-16). We should follow His example (1 Peter 2:21).
2. The Lord commands it (Matthew 28:19). It is one of the two ordinances ordered by the Him. The apostles followed it ( Acts 2:41, 8:38, 10:47-48, 16:33, 19-5).
3. If you are not truly saved, you should not get baptized, but if you really accepted the Lord Jesus, He has changed your life. It is but right that you follow His order.

WHAT DOES BAPTISM DO?

Baptism does not do the following:

1. It does not cleanse our sins. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ (I John 1:7, Colossians 1:14).
2. It does not save us nor is the way of salvation (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a grace from God.
3. Baptism is not a pre-requisite for salvation. Only the Lord Jesus is our Savior (Ephesians 4:12, Acts 16:30-31). It is needed by a person truly saved.

Baptism does the following:

1. The one baptized follows the Lord’s command.
   1. When we follow Him, it means we love Him (John 14:15).
   2. Those who love Jesus is also loved by the Father and They both live in their hearts (John 14:23).
   3. We become friends with the Lord Jesus ( John 15:14).
2. If we follow Him, our prayers are answered (John 15:7).
3. The one baptized becomes part of a local church. Here, he is strengthened and will be used by God for His greater glory. (I Corinthians 12:27-28)

Baptism separates us from the worldly life (Romans 6:5-6). We let others know of our faith and our decision to follow God while we live (Philippians 4:13).

The Lord Jesus never ordered for just anybody to get baptized. It is only for those who are truly saved.