W H Y D O WE BA P TI Z E ?
W H Y D O WE O NL Y P RA C TI CE BA P TI S M B Y I M M E RS I O N?
We baptize because Christ commanded us to do so. In
His final words to His followers before ascending into
heaven, Jesus said, 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 (Matthew 28:19-20).
This is the recognized meaning of the word “baptize’
and it was the means practiced in the New Testament
times, not only by John the Baptist, but also in the early
church. Perhaps even more significant is that only this
mode of baptism adequately pictures the spiritual reality
of our being identified with Christ’s death and
resurrection.
His apostles also taught that followers of Christ should be
baptized (Acts 2:30; 10:47,48). Under their leadership, the
early church practiced baptism; for example, 3000 on the
Day of Pentecost, (Acts 2:41), the Samaritan believers
(8:12,13), the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:35-39), Paul (9:17,18),
Cornelius and other Gentiles (10:44-48), Lydia and her
household (16:14,15), the Philippian jailer (16:32,33),
Corinthians (18:8), and some Ephesians (19:1-5).
W H A T D O E S BA PT I S M S I GNI F Y?
Our word “baptism” comes directly from the Greek
language of the New Testament. It has two related
meanings, one literal, the other figurative. Literally, the
word refers to dipping or immersion, but figuratively, the
word means identification. One interesting usage of the
word which combines these two meanings was in the
production of the cloth. When a piece of cloth was dipped
by a fuller into a vat of dye, he was said to have “baptized”
it. Not only was the cloth literally “immersed” in the dye, it
was also “identified” with the new colour.
For the Christian, baptism in water signifies the spiritual
reality of being “placed into” and “identified with” Jesus
Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5)
and places him into Christ’s body , the church (1
Corinthians 12:13). Being baptized in water visualizes this
inner work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, baptism is the
outward physical testimony of an inner spiritual reality.
I S BA P TI S M NE C E S S A RY FO R S A L V A TI O N?
Though there are one or two verses that at first seem to
imply one must be baptized to be saved, that is not what
the words mean. The reference to being “born of water” in
John 3:5 is not baptism as a ritual act, but personal
repentance. Acts 2:38, as well, is sometimes
misinterpreted; it says, “Repent” (plural - “all of you”), “and
let each” (singular) “of you be baptized for” (i.e. “because
of”) “the forgiveness of your” (plural) “sins”. Baptism does
not “wash away our sins”; rather it is the result of
repentance. Therefore, baptism is not necessary for
salvation. The only condition for salvation is personal trust
in Christ (John 1:12; 3:16), and the only basis for it is the
free grace of God (Ephesians 2:8,9).
W H A T A B O U T T HO S E BA P TI Z E D BY S O M E O T HE R M E A NS ?
Being baptized is both a personal and a public act. As a
personal act, your baptism, by whatever means, may
have been a wonderfully meaningful step in your journey
of faith. As such, it will have continuing significance in
your life. People are eligible for church membership at
Grant Memorial if they have been baptized as believers
by other modes. You also have the option of being
baptized again as an opportunity to give public
testimony to this group of believers in the form which
they understand to be more Biblically appropriate.
W H O S HO U L D BE BA PT I Z E D ?
In every case in scripture, baptism followed conversion.
Only those who have been baptized by the Spirit of God
should be baptized in water. That is why we do not
baptize infants. One example of a “household baptism”
is that of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33). But, it is clearly
indicated that every member of the household had
personally believed (as v. 34 clearly indicates). ...he and
all his family were baptized. The 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.
W H Y S HO U L D YO U BE B A P TI Z E D ?
Every person who knows Christ should give public
testimony to his faith by being baptized. Not only are we
commanded by Christ Himself, but we have the
examples of the Ethiopian eunuch, Paul, Cornelius, and
a host of others. Baptism is one of the essential means
God has provided whereby each believer can
demonstrate God’s spiritual work to the world.
Contact the church office if you would like to be
baptized: (204.989.6740; [email protected]).