Baptism
Common Questions
What is Baptism?
1. It is a public declaration of a person’s faith in Christ.
It is a pronouncement of belief. It is like preaching a visual sermon. It is a public way of saying to everyone that you have decided to give your life to Jesus Christ.
2. It is a point of departure from your old lifestyle and the start of life as a new creation (2 Corinthians
5:17). Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) serves as the example of this as his baptism became a point of departure from his life in Nazareth (where he grew up) to the life of a traveling prophet and preacher.
- It is the means of bringing us into union with Christ and His body, the church. In Romans 6 we are told that we are “baptized into Christ” (v. 3) and “united with him” (v. 5). 1 Corinthians 12:13 says that when we were baptized we were baptized into the body of Christ, the church.
- It is God’s claim to ownership over me. You are baptized “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19- 20). To baptize in the “name of Jesus” (Acts 2:38, 8:16), or in the name of the triune God, is one and the same. We use the names of the Trinity since it was our Lord’s commission to His disciples and to His church. The phrase “in the name of” means both to call on the character and power of the one named and it means to become the “possession of” the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who should be baptized?
1. Every person who has believed in Christ.
According to the Scriptures, those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” Philip replied, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” Acts 8:36
Every person in the New Testament who was baptized, first believed in who Jesus was —the Christ, the Son of the Living God. They also believed what Jesus did —died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was raised back to life three days later.
Popular author and speaker Max Lucado has written, “We are never told to be baptized and then believe, but to come to belief, to trusting faith, and then display that decision by associating ourselves with Christ in baptism. Baptism is the initial step of a faithful heart. This decision requires significant levels of maturity”
(Baptism: The Demonstration of Devotion, 1995).
Note these additional passages:
Acts 2:41
“Those who accepted his message were baptized….”
Acts 8:13
“Simon himself believed and was baptized.”
Acts 8:12
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
2. Those who have repented of their sin.
Closely connected to belief is repentance. Peter exhorted the people at Pentecost to “Repent… and be baptized” (Acts 2:38).
Repentance means to have a change of mind. It means to make a U-turn or to do an about face. You were going down the road of destruction, death and hell; but you repented, you turned around, changed your direction, changed your mind. Therefore, baptism is for believers who have repented of their sin.
How should I be baptized?
1. Like Jesus was baptized – by being immersed in water.
Matthew 3:16
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water.”
2. The Greek word translated “baptize/baptism” is the word baptizo (Bantiw) and it literally means to
“immerse, to dip under, or submerge beneath.” For the first 1200 years of Christian history immersion was the universally accepted mode of baptism. Many of the great churches built during those years, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, have large pools in which they immersed their people.
Even the Reformation heroes like Martin Luther (Lutheran), John Calvin (Presbyterian), and John Wesley (Methodist) agreed that the accepted New Testament practice was immersion.
3. Every baptism in the New Testament was by immersion.
When Jesus was baptized, the Bible uses the Greek word baptizo (Battiw) to describe that event.
When Jesus commanded that His disciples be baptized, He used the Greek word baptizo (Bartizw) to instruct them how to do it.
Every baptism recorded in the New Testament was by immersion, consistently using the Greek word baptizo (Bartiw) to describe the event.
Example: Acts 8:38-39
“then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water …”
The Apostles, consistent with Jesus’ example and command, instructed new believers to be immersed into Christ, using the Greek word baptizo (Bantiw) to describe the action.
Example: Acts 2:38
“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.”
4. It is the best way to picture a 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… we to may have new life.”
The symbolism of immersion is compelling: just as a person lowers you into the water, Christ lowers you into the pool of His grace until every inch of yourself is clean. Buried in a watery grave, covered from head to foot with God’s love, you are washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
Can Kids get baptized?
Yes! However, keep in mind that Biblically speaking, baptism is appropriate only for those who have made a personal decision to trust in Christ alone for their salvation.
At TPBC, we do not baptize Kids unless they are mature enough to place their faith in Christ and understand the true meaning of baptism and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. We would be happy to talk with you further on this issue if you so desire.
Why should I be baptized?
1. Because you want to follow Christ’s example.
Mark 1:9
“At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.”
2. Because Christ commands it.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Jesus said, ‘Go then, to all the people everywhere and make them disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
If it was important enough for Jesus to command, isn’t it important enough for us to obey? And if it is important enough for Jesus to do, isn’t it important enough for us to follow?
3. Because it demonstrates you are a believer.
Acts18:8
… many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.”
4. Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know him.
1 John 2:3-5 (abbreviated)
“We know that we have come to know him, if we obey His commands.”
5. Because it is the appeal we make to God for a clean conscience.
1 Peter 3:21
“and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
6. Because it unites you with Christ in a very special way.
Galatians 6:26-27
“You are all Kids of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
7. Because you desire to be forgiven.
Acts 2:36-38
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has bade this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!”
Is baby dedication the same as baptism?
No, baby dedication is not baptism. It is a commitment by the parents, while baptism is a personal decision made by an individual who has chosen to follow Christ.
Have more questions?
Contact us if you have any more questions. Want to dive deeper on your own, review our Baptism Class Study Booklet.
