1. What water baptism is not
Before we look at what water baptism is, I believe that it is most important for us to establish what it is not, using the Bible as our point of reference.
It is not infant christening.
The practice of the christening of babies and infants is not found in the Bible and therefore it is not a Biblical practice or instruction from God. Christening is a man-made tradition that came into being in the early Church through the emergence of Roman Catholicism. But as born-again Christians it is our duty to follow the teachings of the Bible and not the teachings of man.
Infant baptism or christening is not necessarily sinful, but it should be understood that it does not constitute a spiritual cleansing from sin. This can only be done by a person’s acknowledgement and renouncing of their sin before God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Infants and babies cannot do this as they do not understand this action.
2. What water baptism is
Now, let me first say here that as born-again Christians we are followers of Jesus Christ and His teachings (The Bible – the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments):
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
And as we are His disciples, we should be following His example in all He did. Jesus was baptised to fulfil all righteousness and it is our duty as His followers to be baptised as He was.
He was baptised as a man (a human being) to identify with us, even though he was not a sinner (1 John 3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin), and to set us an example in all righteousness.
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 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 alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
From the above five verses we can extract several points that a new believer needs to be aware of that will show the significance and correctness of a believer being water baptised:
- Jesus specifically came to be baptised - vs 13 – as His disciples we should do the same
- Jesus was being obedient to the Father as his being water baptised would fulfil all righteousness – vs 15
- Baptism in water paves the way for a believer’s Baptism in the Holy Spirit – vs 16
- The act of believers being water baptised is pleasing to God as in Christ Jesus we become the sons (children) of God vs 17. Scripture confirms that we become children of God once we are born-again:
John 1:12-13 (NIV)
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands and example of Jesus.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.”
Water baptism is a public declaration by a believer:
Baptism publicly declares to the world 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 is an act of faith. It is an important foundation stone for the Christian life that you are about to embark on.
3. What is the meaning and significance of water baptism to a born-again believer in Jesus Christ?
Water baptism in the life of a believer is a move from sinful death to a righteous, everlasting life in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 2:12-14 (NIV)
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
From the above verses we are told of the symbolic significance water baptism has for us as born-again believers in that it identifies us with the death of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, on the cross and his burial and resurrection from the dead:
- Our submersion in the water is symbolic of our burial of our old, sinful life
- Emerging from the water is symbolic of our resurrection to our new life of forgiveness of our sins by God in Christ Jesus
The apostle Paul tells us, that as born-again Christians, we are a new creation, our old sinful selves have passed away and we are raised up out of the waters of baptism as new creations:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Romans 6:4-7 (NIV)
4 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.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
5. Why is it so important for born-again Christians to be water baptized?
In trying to answer this question let us first examine the full symbolic importance of water baptism in a believer’s declaration to the world of their commitment to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and their desire to follow him in all His ways and teachings.
Water baptism is like a wedding ring. It is a believer’s outward, symbolic statement to the world of his life, love and commitment to Jesus as being a part of His ‘bride’ which is lived out by a believer from day to day.
Isaiah 54:5 (NIV)
For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of al the earth.
Revelation 19:5-7 (NIV)
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both great and small!”
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
- Water baptism symbolically washes away our sins – see Acts 22:16 below
When we go through the waters of baptism we are baptized into the full Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity – one God, three persons! It also confirms that we believe that Jesus will be with us always!
Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV)
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,
7. Water baptism also connects us to other believers as the ‘body of Christ’ – the Church
In Matthew 28:18-19, the Lord’s instruction is for all who come to Him and are born-again, to be baptized. Although we make an individual and personal decision to be water baptized, all believers are instructed to do it and thus this one individual act of obedience joins us together as one body – the Church of Jesus Christ.
8. When should a believer be water baptized?
Why wait? As soon as you have given your life to Jesus, decide to be water baptized! It is an act of faith and obedience and walking in obedience to the will of Christ is or should be the ultimate aim of all believers - full obedience to the teachings of Jesus.
Acts 22:16 (NIV)
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
9. Was Jesus water baptised?
Yes, he was, and this is another reason why all believers should be water baptised. If Jesus did it, it stands to reason that it will be good for us to do so!
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 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 alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
1. It fulfills all righteousness – vs 15
2. It paves the way for baptism in the Holy Spirit – vs 16
3. It is pleasing to God the Father – vs 17
As born-again Christians, disciples of Jesus and children of God it is our loving duty to follow our Lord’s example and be water baptised!
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus, the Name above all names!
Next week: The importance of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
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