What is the significance of water baptism? 

In order to understand the reason for being water baptized, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it… Jesus himself was baptized. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

An Act of Faith and Obedience:

Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. 

“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

A Public Declaration:

Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life. Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead.

“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ.” Colossians 2:12 MSG

A Brand New Life:

It also symbolizes your new life as a Christian. We bury the ‘old life’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’. Baptism is like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, which has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis. It’s meant to show the world that that you belong to, love, trust, and have put your hope in Christ. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“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.” Romans 6:4

Baptism does not ‘save’ you or make you a believer; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism simply confirms the fact that you already are a believer and have made a choice to place your faith in Him as Lord!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9

A Blessed Life:

In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them, ‘Father’, ‘Son’ & ‘Holy Spirit’. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptize believers “… into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, Matthew 28:19.

Baptism confirms our position ‘in Christ’ and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children.

A New family:

Baptism also connects us to the ‘body of Christ’, his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.

“…For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

How are we to be baptized?

As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16.

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.

“…then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water….” Acts 8:38,39.

Who should be baptized?

Every person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, and has accepted God’s gift of grace, should follow that commitment by being baptized in water.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized….” Acts 2:41.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12.

When should we to be baptized?

Believers in the New Testament were baptized the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptized as soon as possible.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized….” Acts 2:41.

“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-39.

At what age should a person be baptized?

We believe in baptizing someone only when they are old enough to under-stand and can explain what it means to make a personal declaration of faith in Christ.

We pray that these answers will help shed some light on your interest in being baptized, following in the footsteps of Jesus. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email one of our pastors.