Water Baptism

WATER BAPTISM

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Matthew 28:19-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

When Jesus left the earth, He commanded every believer to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Why must believers be water baptized? What is the significance of this act? We will learn the answers in this lesson.

2.0 WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?

When Jesus died on the cross, He carried our sins upon Himself on our behalf. When Jesus resurrected on the third day, He conquered sin and death once and for all. Water baptism is a symbolic act that point to these truths and to proclaim our identification with Jesus Christ.

Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means immersion. This word was used when pieces of cloth were immersed in dye in order to change their colour. The act of immersion in water is a physical representation of the true meaning of water baptism. When a person is baptized, he is fully immersed in the water to symbolize his death. When he emerged from the water, it symbolizes the victory & new life that he has received in Christ.

3.0 WHY IS WATER BAPTISM IMPORTANT?

3.1 IT IS A PROCLAMATION OF JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL AND

RESURRECTION

Romans 6:3-4 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.

The act of water baptism is a very symbolic picture of what Jesus did for us. When Jesus died on the cross, He took the sins of the world upon Himself. The act of immersion symbolizes Jesus dying for our sins. When someone emerges from the water, it symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus as well. As a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus, all who believe in Him will have a new life.

3.2 IT IS A PUBLIC DECLARATION OF OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

Matthew 10:32-33 Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Over the centuries, this symbolic ceremony carried out in obedience by millions of believers has become a way to publicly declare what Jesus had done for us. By this act of obedience, we are saying to the world that we are putting our faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.

It is like a wedding ceremony.

Can we marry in secret?

Yes, but we all want to celebrate if we are getting married!

You want to tell the whole world that you have found someone that you truly loved. That you are blessed beyond measure.

You want to celebrate and declare to the world!

This is the same with water baptism.

3.3 IT IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE TO JESUS’ COMMAND.

As mentioned earlier, Jesus commanded believers everywhere to be baptized. If we claimed to follow Jesus, then this is something that we must obey too.

4.0   HOW IS WATER BAPTISM DONE?

4.1 BY BEING IMMERSED IN WATER

The Bible does not teach us to baptize believers by sprinkling or pouring water on their heads.

In Acts 8:36-39, an Ethiopian eunuch repented and believed in the gospel after Philip explained the Scriptures to him. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch requested to be baptized (verses 36-37).

Acts 8:36-39 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

If water baptism could be done by sprinkling water as some have taught, the eunuch did not have to wait until he found the water, but Philip could use his drinking water to sprinkle on his head right away after he believed.

4.2 BEING BAPTIZED IN GOD’S NAME

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded Christians to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

It is recommended that this statement be said just before the person is immersed: “…(name), upon the profession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I now baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are now being buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. He made you alive together with Him.”

5.0   WHEN SHOULD WE BE WATER BAPTIZED?

5.1 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

 In the Bible, there are many examples of believers being baptized as soon as they become a believer.

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

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

6.0 CONCLUSION

It is a privilege and an honor to be identified with our Lord Jesus Christ through the symbolic act of water baptism. As believers, we should be baptized as soon as possible in obedience to God’s command.

Discussion Point

1. Discuss some of the challenges you faced regarding water baptism.

2. Discuss how to overcome the challenges mentioned in the question above.