Baptism

If you have just made a Fresh Start with God and accepted Jesus as Lord of your life, you should be baptized. If you were baptized as a child before you understood what you were doing, or if you just rededicated your life to the Lord, then you should consider being baptized again.

We should be water baptized because Jesus was baptized and He is our example and because He commanded us to be baptized.

Mark 1:9, Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:35-38

It’s an act of obedience and an outward symbol that represents what Jesus has done in us and for us. It doesn’t bring us into a relationship with Christ, only faith does that.

Colossians 2:12 For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.

As Phillip says in Acts 8:37, the only requirement for water baptism is faith in Jesus Christ. Believing that He is the son of God and through his death, burial and resurrection, anyone can receive eternal life. Without such faith, water baptism just becomes a meaningless ritual.

1. Death – Specifically Jesus’ death. Christ died on the cross for you. Revelation 1:5 says His blood washes away our sins. Romans 6 says that we died to sin and no longer live in it. Our old nature was crucified with Him. The water is a symbol of washing away the old person.

2. Burial – Going under the water represents His burial. Christ was buried and was in the tomb for 3 days. Our old nature and sin habits are buried with Him.

3. Resurrection – When you come out of the water. We are raised with Him and now live a new life in Christ.

Only the blood of Jesus washes away our sin. Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

It could be considered a gesture of dedication but faith and repentance are both necessary ingredients as indicated in Acts 8:37.

No, Jesus both commanded and modeled water baptism in the Bible.