Baptism

What is baptism? What does it represent?

  •  Baptism is an “outward display of an inward change.”

  • Baptism displays the link between the believer and Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

  • Scripture: Romans 6:3-11;  Galatians 3:23-27; Colossians 2:6-15;  1 Peter 3:18-22.

Who should be baptized?

Only Christians should be baptized. 

  • In all of Scripture, no example exists of a nonbeliever being baptized.

  • There is no category in Scripture for a non-baptized follower of Christ. Being a Christian came with the expectation that one would be baptized.


Why should a Christian be baptized?

There are two primary reasons and one secondary reason to be baptized as a follower of Christ.

  • Followers of Christ should be baptized because Jesus was baptized. (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34)

  • Followers of Christ should be baptized because Jesus commands his followers to baptize while making disciples. (Matthew 28:16-20)

  • As a secondary reason, Christians should be baptized to link them through a common baptism to a local church (Ephesians 4:4-7)

How are we to baptize?

In the Bible, believers were baptized by immersion:

  • The Greek word baptizo, which is translated into English, as baptize literally means to immerse or dunk. 

  • The early church including those in the New Testament baptized by immersion.

  • Jesus was baptized by immersion.

  • Baptism by immersion most clearly displays the link between believers and the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (See above: “What is baptism? What does it represent?”

  • Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34; Romans 6:3-11; Galatians 3:23-27; Colossians 2:6-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22

When should we baptize (age or time)?

The New Testament always presents baptism immediately after faith. The  order most consistent with Scripture is:

     1. The Gospel is preached

2. People believe

3. Those who believe are baptized. Therefore, we should baptize only those who profess faith in Christ (believer’s baptism).

  • Scripture: Acts 2:36-41; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 9:1-19; Acts 10:34-48; Acts 16:11-15; Acts 18:8.

Where should someone be baptized?

  • Baptisms may occur anywhere where there is a candidate and water.

  • Baptisms occurred in rivers and other bodies of water. 

  • Scripture is silent on a specific on a specific location.

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