Ask anyone what first comes to mind when they think of the
word baptism, and they will probably say it’s some sort of religious practice
involving water. John
the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water” (Matt. 3:11) and there are several
examples of people in the Holy Bible being baptized with water. For centuries,
there has been a large group of Christians who refer to themselves as Baptists
because they emphasize the importance of water baptism in their Christian faith
journey.
Here are some questions and answers related to water
baptism:
I. What is the meaning of water baptism?
The great thing about water baptism
in the name of Christ is what it symbolizes. It is a symbol of a believer’s complete identification with the death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:12 ESV having been buried with him in baptism, in
which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of
God, who raised him from the dead.
Rom. 6:4 NIV We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised
from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Imagine a person standing in water
about waist high deep. Think of this person as being alive physically but dead spiritually
in their sins. Now, imagine this person lays backward down into the water. This
illustrates the death of Christ on their behalf and that he or she dies to their
sins, repents of their sins, namely repenting from rejecting Christ. Now,
imagine this person raising up in the water to stand again. This illustrates
that person rising up in Christ in victory over sin and death. Baptism by water
is symbolic of what Jesus Christ did for you and it shows publicly that you
align yourself with Christ and His teaching, that you are committed to living
and dying for Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord.
II. Why be baptized by water?
A. To follow Christ’s example.
Mark 1:9a NIV At that time Jesus came
from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
B. To follow the example of early Christians.
John 3:23, 26 23Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near
Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were
baptized. 26And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you
beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all
are coming to Him!”
Acts 8:36, 38 36Now 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?” 38So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and
the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
See also Acts 2:41, 8:12-13, 9:18, 10:48, 16:15, 33; 18:8, 19:5 ….
C. To follow Christ’s command.
Perhaps the most well-known Bible passage
about baptism is the Great Commission Jesus gave His followers. Matt. 20:18-20 18And Jesus came and spoke to
them, saying, “All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go 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, 20teaching 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.
D. To realize your relationship with Christ.
1 John 2:3 NIV We know that we have come to know him if we keep his
commands.
E. To publicly identify with Christ.
Romans 10:9 ESV because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Matthew 10:32 ESV So everyone who
acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in
heaven,
III. Is Water baptism necessary for salvation?
Water baptism doesn’t cleanse you
from your sins, save you from your sins or make you a born again saved
Christ-follower. It is meant to demonstrate that you already are saved by
Christ. Only God’s grace and mercy through faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior
and Lord saves you from your sins (Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7, Acts 16:31). Water
baptism is kind of like a wedding ring; it’s the outward symbol of the
commitment you have already made in your heart.
IV. How are we baptized by water?
A. Water immersion just like Jesus.
Matt 3:16 NIV As soon as Jesus was
baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
B. Water immersion just like every Bible occurrence of water baptism.
Acts 8:38-39 NIV And he gave
orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the
water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again,
but went on his way rejoicing.
C. The word ‘baptism’ in the original Greek is ‘baptizo’ which means to
dip or immerse under.
D. Immersion in the water is the best way to picture a burial and
resurrection.
V. Who should be baptized by water?
Every person who has trusted in
Christ as their Savior and Lord! Acts
18:8 NIV .
VI. When are we to be baptized by water?
As soon as you have believed upon
Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord! You should not delay.
Acts 2:41 NIV Those who accepted his message were
baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 8:35-38 NKJV
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?" 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." 38 So he commanded the chariot to
stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he
baptized him.
VII. What if I was baptized by water as an infant or when I
wasn’t truly saved?
I believe biblically-based baptism makes
more sense when a person understands what Christian baptism means and they have
placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. And I
believe water baptism should occur after one becomes saved by Christ. So, now
with your basic understanding of the meaning of water baptism in Christ and
with your profession of faith in Christ, you should now be baptized by
immersion. I believe this reflects the proper biblical symbolism and order.
VIII. What about location?
There's nothing special about the
water you are baptized in. Maybe it is Holy water and blessed water and
prayed-over water but it's not where you're baptized (i.e. tub, tank,
baptistery, pool, lake, or ocean) that matters most. What’s important is why
you're baptized and what’s in your heart toward Jesus.
Sometimes you never know quite what
will happen when someone is baptized by water. I really enjoy water baptisms.
They can be very spiritual and emotional moments. I have been excited at times and
I have cried at times while witnessing Christ followers being baptized. I’ve
had many experiences baptizing believers and witnessing believers being baptized.
I have baptized in the icy waters at Chapman Dam in PA with lightning in the
background and rain drops falling. That was a shocking experience. J
I have struggled to fully immerse people, in a baptistery, who resist going
backwards under the surface of the water with their faces. One of my favorite baptism
moments was when our church had a picnic lunch at a park with a lakefront swimming
area. We had a baptism/worship gathering in front of many sunbathing swimming
people nearby. That was a salt and light in Christ in this world moment; all
for the glory of God.
Sometimes there are light-hearted
moments. I remember once at TRBC when a young boy was baptized and he stayed in
the water while his grandfather was being baptized. The young boy began swimming
in the baptistery, treading like a dog and dunking his head under. That was
funny. And I will never forget my own baptism experience when I was 9 years
old. I failed to bring a dry pair of underwear to put on after the baptism
during the beginning of the Sunday night worship gathering service, so I sat
there the whole time with wet underwear under my pants. Awkward!
Water baptisms can be very interesting for many reasons
because they involve water and people, but at the core of water baptism there is
spiritual symbolism of the atoning work of Christ and faith and obedience on
behalf of the believer being baptized and the church people carrying out the
baptism. This is key to the kingdom of Christ mission work here on earth.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Savior
and Lord have you been baptized by water? If not, why not? The Lord calls His
followers to be baptized by water. If you have questions, interest, and/or
would like to move forward in baptism then contact a local Christ-centered pastor.
Even more important than water baptism is trusting Jesus Christ
as your personal Savior and Lord. If you have questions or interest in this
then read
What do you think about water baptism and what I’ve included
here?
Mike
Note:
This blog entry is the continuation in a series called ‘Six
Baptisms.’ The first entry ‘#1 Baptism by Fire,’ which includes an introduction
to this series, can be read at
The second entry is ‘#2 Baptism by Holy Spirit or into
Christ’ and can be read at
The next entry in this series will be about the ‘Baptism of Suffering.’
No comments:
Post a Comment