Water Baptism

Water Baptism, as instituted in the New Testament, is the believer identification by faith, in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3). It is more than a mere ritual or ceremony. In the New Testament, it is never mentioned as an act alone. Rather, its meaning always includes the entire redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 2:38-41).

1. WHAT DOES "BAPTIZE" MEAN?
   "Baptize" means "to dip, immerse". In order to be water baptized, you must be completely submerged or immersed in water.
2. WATER BAPTISM IS NOT OPTIONAL: IT IS COMMANDED TO ALL BELIEVERS.
1. Jesus commanded it (Mark 16:16).
2. Jesus Himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17).
3. Peter commanded it (Acts 10:47, 48).
4. Paul baptized believers (Acts 19:1-5).
5. If we love Christ, we will be obedient to His commandments (John 14:15).
3. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BAPTISM?
1. Hearing and obeying the Word of God (Acts 2:41; 16:14, 15; 19:5).
2. Conviction of sin (Acts 2:37-39).
3. Repentence must precede (Acts 2:38).
4. Faith (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36, 37).
4. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BELIEVER IN WATER BAPTISM?

In water baptism, we are identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is an outward sign of an inward circumcision "made without hands, in putting off the Body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ" (Colossians 2:11).

1. Circumcision, in the Old Testament, was a command (Genesis 17:10). It was a foreshadowing of the circumcision of the heart in the Spirit.
1. Sign and seal of covenant relationship with God and Abraham (Genesis 17:11).
2. Marked the Israelites as God's chosen people and set them apart as His personal property (Genesis 17:13).
3. Their relationship was maintained with God through their obedience to His command of circumcision.
4. Circumcision, not only of their foreskin, but also of their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:5, 6; Deut. 10:16, 17).
2. Circumcision of the heart - as circumcision of the foreskin was a token or sign of the Old Covenant (Genesis 17:11), so water baptism is the token of the circumcision of the New Covenant. The true sign of the New Covenant believer is a circumcised heart. Our "old nature", or "body of sin" is cut away, with all its desires and lusts.
1. Must have inward circumcision of heart (Romans 2:28, 29).
2. Circumcision without hands is performedby the Spirit (Colossians 2:11, 12).
3. The New Covenant declares (Hebrews 8:6-10):
1. The Lord is our God.
2. We are his people.
5. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF WATER BAPTISM?
   1. We are baptized into the Lord's:
   1. Death (Romans 6:3-11)
   2. Burial (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4).
   3. Resurrection (Colossians 3:1; romans 6:4-5).
   2. We are baptized into the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). These are only titles, not names.
   1. What is the Father's name?
   1. "The Lord" (Exodus 3:15).
   2. "The Lord is His name" (Exodus 15:3; Jeremiah 33:2; Amos 5:8).
   3. "I am the Lord" (Isaiah 42:8).
   4. "They shall know my name is the Lord" (Jeremiah 16:21).
   2. What is the Son's name?
   1. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:21).
   2. Jesus is the "Son of God" (I John 4:15; I John 5:5).
   3. What is the Holy Spirit's name?
      the Holy Spirit's name is taken from the Greek word "Christos", translated as Christ, meaning "the annointing".
   1. Jesus was annointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).
   2. The Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism. Until this time, He was known as Jesus of Nazareth. Here, he became Jesus Christ, the "annointed one" (Matthew 3:16, 17).
   3. The Holy Spirit is spoken of as "the annointing" (I John 2:20).

Here, we find the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fulfilled in the name of the "Lord Jesus Christ":

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(last updated on July 5, 2005)