Water Baptism
Jesus established water baptism as a commitment opportunity for believers when He gave the Great Commission message in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16. Water baptism is far more than a ritual or religious exercise; it’s a public, outward declaration that reflects a personal, inward faith. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer's death to the old life and his or her resurrection as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1–8; Colossians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17). In order to understand the reason for being water baptised, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it. Please read the information below, and if you have any questions please contact the Pastor at the church office.
Why be Baptised?
We should follow Christ's example
Jesus Himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet He humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and provide an example to follow. "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9
Christ commanded it
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. "If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15; James 2:17-18
“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." Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism by total immersion may be the first thing you ever do in obedience to God, rather than for yourself.
You are a believer
Baptism declares 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 faith, and is an important foundation for the Christian life. Hebrews 6:1-2.
"Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved..." Mark 16:16
"Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Acts 2:38
But I was baptised or christened as an infant!
Many people who turn to Christ have already been 'baptised' as a small child. Perhaps you are one of them. Should you now be baptised as a believer? We believe in liberty of conscience, but even so equally believe that a baptism without faith is not the baptism of the Bible. Look again at Acts 8:36-37.
"Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptised?" Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
The one thing that would have prevented the Ethiopian official from baptism was his lack of faith.
If at your confirmation service you meaningfully confirmed the promise made on your behalf by your godparents, we rejoice. But the same argument still applies. The New Testament knows only one baptism - the 'one baptism' in which by 'faith' Jesus is confessed as 'Lord' (Ephesians 4:5). The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek word meaning to totally immerse in water. Much like a ship sinking below the waves. It is for adult believers - those who have made a decision in their own heart to follow Christ.
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning
It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ's death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead.
"...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:12
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian
We bury the 'old life' and we rise to walk in a 'new life'. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
"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." Romans 6:4
Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not 'save' you; only your faith in Christ does that.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Baptism also connects us to the 'body of Christ', his people on Earth.
In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.
"...For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body" 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
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