Baptism

Have you been baptized since you received Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Baptism comes after salvation. It is a response to obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord (see Acts 2:38,41). "38Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' ...41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

Although baptism does not save you, it demonstrates that you have given control of your life to Jesus. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

God Has a Purpose

FACT - We declare our new life in Christ through baptism (see Acts 2:41; 8:35-38; 16:25-34).

"2:41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

"8:35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him."

"16:25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family."

FACT - Baptism is a spiritual illustration of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. (see Romans 6:3-5).

"3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We 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. 5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection."

Our Need

FACT - We need to confess Jesus before others in baptism soon after we receive salvation through Jesus Christ (see Matthew 10:32).

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven."

FACT - We need to obey Jesus' command (see Matthew 28:19).

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

FACT - We need to follow Jesus' example (see Matthew 3:13-15).

"13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented."

FACT - We need to get plugged in and join a local church (see Acts 2:41).

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

God's Provision

FACT - Jesus began His ministry to others with baptism (see Mark 1:9-11).

"9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

FACT - Jesus demonstrated baptism to us by being baptized. We should follow this biblical example (see Mark 1:10).

"As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove."

FACT - Jesus told His followers to baptize (see Matthew 28:19).

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Our Response

ACT - You should get a local church to baptize you.

ACT - Be baptized to show that you are a follower of Jesus (see Acts 2:41).

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

ACT - Show others your commitment through your baptism (see Acts 16:31-33).

"31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized."

My Commitment

The essentials of baptism are:

Trust is Jesus for your salvation.
Ask a local church to baptize you.
Follow Jesus' example of baptism by being immersed in (put under) water, showing your identification with Jesus and His church.

If you are willing to take this step of obedience and show others your commitment to Jesus, you can pray the following prayer or one like it:

"God, it is my desire to obey You and to let others know I have a new life in Jesus Christ. I pray that my baptism will show my love for You."

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