Baptism Explained
Definition:
The word baptism is a Greek work, (Bapto), which means, "to dip".
Examples of in the Bible:
All believers in Jesus Christ should be baptized. Jesus commands His disciples to teach the Gospel and baptize believers. "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20)
Purpose of Baptism:
Paul explains the purpose of baptism in 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."
Baptism is not the same as child dedication. Where baptism is reserved for those who have made a conscious decision for Jesus Christ, child dedication is available for any Christian parent who wishes to dedicate their child to the Lord.
The word baptism is a Greek work, (Bapto), which means, "to dip".
Examples of in the Bible:
- John the Baptist baptized Jews in preparation for the coming Savior in Matthew 3:5-8.
- Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist which symbolized the beginning of His redemptive ministry in Matthew 3:16-18.
- Peter tells new believers to "repent and be baptized" in the first church in Jerusalem in Acts 2:38.
- Paul baptized 12 new believers in Acts 19:5.
All believers in Jesus Christ should be baptized. Jesus commands His disciples to teach the Gospel and baptize believers. "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20)
Purpose of Baptism:
Paul explains the purpose of baptism in 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."
- Death - At the heart of every Christian life is death to the sinful nature. Paul tells us in Romans 6:6 "that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Therefore baptism is a physical expression of an inward condition. We must die to our old ways in exchange for new life in Christ. Jesus modeled this for us by dying on the cross.
- Burial - The submersion part of baptism is related to the burial of Christ. Once Christ died on the cross, they took His body down and buried it in a tomb. "Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away." (Matthew 27:59-60) In this way, we are buried in Christ with the promise of one day spending all of eternity with Him in heaven.
- Resurrection - Finally, the coming out of the water part of baptism symbolizes the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Christ resurrection from the dead marked victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, there would be no point in Christianity. Christ's victory over death represented an opportunity for mankind to enjoy "new life" with God.
Baptism is not the same as child dedication. Where baptism is reserved for those who have made a conscious decision for Jesus Christ, child dedication is available for any Christian parent who wishes to dedicate their child to the Lord.
