Baptism is the world's oldest passion play,
dramatizing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Baptism is a tomb and a womb. A tomb where the
old person of the sin is buried and a womb where we are born into the family of God.
Baptism by total immersion symbolizes total
surrender to Jesus. If baptism were important enough for Jesus to command, it's
important enough for us to obey.
The one baptism practiced in the Bible was by immersion. The Greek
word "baptizo," from which we get our English word "baptize"
means: "properly to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge."
(Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
"The only regret ever connected with Christian baptism is that
it was not done sooner. It is the only thing in our entire Christian experience
that we are required to do but once. Faith, repentance, confession, prayer,
witnessing, etc. continue throughout our journey until we die faithful in the
Lord but we are only baptized one time. Baptism is not a work that you do in
order to merit salvation, it is simply a part of God's plan enabling you to be
saved by grace. Don't ever say, "Do I have to be baptized? Rather say, "Why
shouldn't I be baptized?" Acts 8:36
Jesus' Baptism
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
But John tried to deter Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and do
You come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us
to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as
Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was
opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him.
And a voice from heaven said, "This is My Son whom I love; with Him I am
well pleased. Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus was baptized (immersed) in the Jordan River by His cousin, John the Baptist
Jesus walked 70 miles to be baptized
Jesus was baptized because it was the right thing to do (to fulfill all righteousness)
Jesus' baptism sets a clear example to follow
Jesus instructions on baptism are concise
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news
to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever
does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16
"Jesus went down into the Jordan to take His stand by the side
of sinners. When you see the sinless Christ going to the sinner's baptism, you
are seeing love going to a great redeeming act of self-identification. At the
Jordan, Jesus took His stand by the side of sinners, making their shame His
shame, their trouble His trouble, their penitence His penitence, their burden
His burden."
My Baptism
"Christian baptism must be taken seriously by anyone who wants
to be saved by Christ. Jesus commanded it, and every person who accepted Him as
his Savior in the book of Acts was baptized."
An Act of Obedience
Peter 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." Acts2:38
A Gift of God's Grace
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this
not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - Ephesians 2:8
An Identification with Jesus' Death, Burial, and Resurrection
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
A Washing and Renewal
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the
Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously Jesus Christ our Savior, Titus
3:5-6
A Testimony of Faith
Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through
your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead
in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive
with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, Colossians 2:12-13
Often Asked Questions
Does the water wash away my sins?
No.
The blood of Jesus cleanses away sin. See 1 Peter
1:18-19
Is it necessary for infants to be baptized?
No.
There is no command or record of infant baptism in the Bible.
If I have been sprinkled as an infant (or adult), should I be immersed?
Yes, since Bible baptism is by immersion you are
urged to respond to the teaching of scripture and follow the example of Jesus.
If I have previously been baptized, must I be baptized again to be a member of Harmony Christian?
No. We are baptized into Christ, not the local church.
May children be baptized?
Certainly. However, they should be old enough to sense an accountability for their sins and
able to grasp the basics of the gospel message and what Jesus did for them
through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead (this often occurs
around 7-9 years of age).
For further study:
Biblical examples of baptism/conversion:
First converts (Acts 2:36-41)
Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:30-40)
Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48)
Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34)
Paul (Acts 22:12-16)
"Baptism is no optional command... no trivial issue. It is a
willing plunge into the power and promise of Christ. Baptism is the first step
of a believer. If it was important enough for Jesus to command, isn't it
important enough for you to obey? And if it was important enough for Jesus to
do, isn't it important enough for you to follow?"
