Baptism

What Is Baptism?

It is an outward sign of an inward reality – a symbolic picture of a believer’s union with Christ.

• It is symbolic of a believer’s spiritual baptism (Romans 6:3-5)
• Spiritual baptism is a one-time event which occurs at salvation for all believers. It places believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and into union with Christ, His death and resurrection (Colossians 3:1-4)
• All believers from the moment of salvation are permanently and fully indwelt by the Holy Spirit who lives in them (John 14:17, 1 Cor. 6:19)
• There is only one real baptism (Ephesians 4:5)

Baptism is one of only two formal activities (ordinances) given to the church. The other is the Lord’s supper (communion).

Baptism has no saving merit or worth – baptism does not bring salvation – it does not save. (Ephesians 2: 8,9; Romans 3:28, John 3:16)

Why Should Every Believer Be Baptized?

• Obedience to Christ’s command and example (Matthew 28:18-20, 3:15-17)
• Commanded to the early church and followed true faith and repentance (Acts 2:38)
• Identification with church family (Acts 2:41)
• First step of public obedience – proclamation
• Testimony to the unbelieving world

How Should Every Believer Be Baptized?

• Full immersion is the Biblical teaching

• The English word “baptize” (or “baptized,” “baptizing,” and “baptism”) comes from the Greek word “baptizo” (bap-tid-zo) (or derivatives of baptizo), which means to immerse. It comes from the root word, “Bapto,” which means to dip, dye, or to cover wholly with fluid. It is the only Greek word in the Bible used in context with the ordinance of baptism.

• Baptism was always done in a body of water (Acts 8:38,39; John 1:28; Matthew 3:13,16)

• Historical evidence: the New Testament church baptized by immersion.

• The Greek words for sprinkle, pour, and wash are not used in any passage about baptism.