BACK TO MENU

BELIEVER’S BAPTISM

To this question only one answer need be given: We baptize because Christ commanded it. Jesus said: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew records these words as the final explicit instructions of Jesus before he ascended to heaven. This passage is called the Great Commission because it is the foundation for our missionary outreach. But if going is a part of the Great Commission and if making disciples is a part of the Great Commission and if teaching is a part of the Great Commission, then so is baptizing.   Put simply—baptism is a clear command of Jesus Christ. We obey him when we baptize and we disobey him when we don’t.

If the meaning of baptism could be boiled down to one word, that word would be identification. Baptism speaks primarily of a personal, public identification with Jesus Christ.

In Romans 6:3-4 the Apostle Paul puts the matter this way: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Notice the strength of the expressions—"baptized into Christ" and "baptized into his death" and "buried with him in baptism." While I believe that the primary reference here is to Spirit baptism. I also believe that water baptism is in the background of this passage.

How important is your baptism? It is your personal identification with the greatest act of human history—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism doesn’t save you—salvation comes by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). your guilt before God is removed the moment you trust in Christ. But baptism is your personal testimony to, and the inward assurance of, your passage from the old life to the new life.

Two illustrations will help us understand the concept of identification. The first is the Pledge of Allegiance. When a person pledges allegiance to the flag, he is openly identifying with the United States of America.

It is more than just a ritual. It means a promise of loyalty to the nation—"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands." Likewise, when a person is baptized, he is pledging allegiance to Jesus Christ—openly identifying with him.

The second illustration is the wedding ring. When a man (or woman) gets married, he (or she) almost always begins to wear a wedding ring or a wedding band. The wedding ring does not make you married.

Indeed, some people choose not to wear a wedding ring and yet they are still legally and truly married. But the wedding ring is more than a piece of ornamental jewelry. It represents the solemn commitment of a man and a woman to become husband and wife. It is a public testimony to that commitment.

A wedding ring identifies a wife with her husband and a husband with his wife. It is a public symbol of a private commitment. Likewise, when a person is baptized, he is publicly identifying with Jesus Christ. It is an outward symbol of an inward commitment.

What, then, does baptism mean?

1. It means we have turned from the old life of sin to a new life in Jesus Christ.

2. It means we are publicly identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

3. It means we are openly joining the ranks of those who believe in Christ.

And since you personally are being baptized, you are also saying, "I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with him and now I am raised with Christ to brand-new life."

Throughout Christian history three primary modes of baptism have been practiced: Sprinkling, pouring and immersion.

The Greek word translated "baptize" is the verb "baptizo". The primary meaning is "to dip, plunge, immerse." The secondary meaning is to "bring under the influence."

A brief survey of baptism in the New Testament reveals the following interesting facts:

Baptism requires water. (Matthew 3:11)

Baptism required plenty of water. (John 3:30)

Baptism requires going down into the water. (Acts 8:30)

Baptism requires coming up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:39)

Furthermore, the figures of speech used by the Apostle Paul accord well with immersion. Baptism is called a "burial" in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12. Baptism is "into his death" and involves being "raised to walk in newness of life." It is difficult to see how sprinkling or pouring could convey these meanings.

It is also worthy of note that the Greek language has verbs that explicitly means "sprinkle" or "pour" but these verbs are never used with reference to baptism.　

What is the meaning of all this information concerning the mode of baptism? So far as we know, in the New Testament, water baptism was always by immersion. The Greek word itself indicates that and so does the history of the church.

Immersion most closely follows the biblical pattern of baptism. After all, to baptize really means "to immerse." Total immersion in water symbolizes your complete identification with Jesus Christ. Therefore, immersion is the mode of baptism practiced at Jackson Summit Baptist Church.

IV. Who Should be Baptized?

Of all the questions I have discussed in this lesson, this one is the most important. A close study of Baptism reveals the following: First, faith is always the prerequisite for baptism. Note again, the order of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go…make disciples… baptize them." Acts 2:38 says, "Repent and let each one of you be baptized." Acts 2:41 says, "And as many as gladly received the word were baptized."

Acts 8:12 is particularly clear on this point: "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

Belief clearly preceded baptism. In fact, in this case baptism would have no meaning without prior belief. It is the personal belief of the one being baptized that gives baptism its meaning. Without the personal belief baptism becomes just another church ritual.

1. How old should children be before they are baptized?

They should be old enough to make an intelligent profession of faith in Christ. Children raised in a Christian home will come to such a profession much earlier than other children—some as young as 4 or 5 years old. Some young children will truly understand the gospel and the meaning of baptism; others will need to wait a few years. In any case, the parents should be the ones making the final decision.

2. When should baptism be performed?

As soon as possible after conversion. Remember, baptism is not a mark of spiritual maturity, but rather a statement of personal identification with Jesus Christ.

3. Should adults who were baptized as infants also be baptized as believers?

Adults do need to be baptized as believers. It is an active part of discipleship and a question of our obedience to what God has said. In the New Testament the order is belief in Jesus Christ, then baptism.

4. How can I prepare my children for baptism?

There are several key things you can do that will make a difference with your children.

First: Make sure you know what you are talking about and then:

l. Take time to explain the plan of Salvation to them.

2. Pray with them about their relationship to Jesus Christ.

3. Do not pressure your children into making a decision,

4. Help them to definitely trust Christ when they are ready.

5. Take them with you to observe a baptism.

6. Ask the pastor to explain to your children what baptism is all about.

7. The week they are to be baptized, conduct a quiz covering the who, what , when, where and why and how of baptism.

7. Invite the child’s friends and relatives to be present for the baptism service.

8. Make it a festive celebration and an occasion to remember for years to come.

VI. What actually happens at a baptismal service?

The service is usually informal but includes these elements:

Then the pastor and the person to be baptized stand in the water facing the congregation. The person to be baptized is asked to affirm his faith in Jesus Christ and his desire to be baptized. Then the baptismal formula is recited and the candidate is immersed. The actual act of baptism (including the questions) may take only a few seconds.

VII. Should I invite my friends and family to my baptism?

Absolutely. Nothing could be more appropriate. Remember, baptism is a public testimony to your faith in Christ. It is also a visual re-enactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Your baptism is your opportunity to preach a sermon without saying a single word. So, yes, by all means invite everyone you know to attend your baptism. Make it a festive, joyous occasion and pray that God will use your witness to influence your friends for Christ.