Baptism

WATER BAPTISM
(Why, Who, What, When, Where, & How etc.)

1. It is the command of Jesus

Jesus commanded us to be baptized.

• Matthew 28:19–20 ...go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2. Salvation must come first

You are not saved by baptism—Jesus saves you by grace through faith.

• Eph 2:8-9  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  (9)  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Salvation is made possible because Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

• 1Co 15:3-4  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  (4)  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

3. Who is to be baptized?

Those who believed were baptized. Salvation in Christ is the only prerequisite for baptism.

• Acts 2:41 — “those who received his word were baptized”

• Acts 8:12 — “when they believed… they were baptized”

• Acts 16:31–33 — “believe… and he was baptized at once”

4. The significance - union with Christ

In baptism, you are identifying with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. Your old life is crucified with Him, buried with Him, and you are raised with Him to walk in new life.

• Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ…”

• Romans 6:3–4 — “baptized into his death… buried… raised…”

When you go under the water, you are united with Christ in His death and burial. When you come up, you are united with Him in His resurrection and new life.

• Romans 6:4–5 — “buried… raised… walk in newness of life”

5. Baptism in the name of Jesus

New Testament baptism is consistently done in the name of Jesus Christ.

• • Act 2:38  Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 8:16 — “in the name of the Lord Jesus”

• Acts 10:48 — “in the name of Jesus Christ”

• Acts 19:5 — “in the name of the Lord Jesus”

6. How to baptize

Baptism is by full immersion in water and words similar to this will be spoken:

• Because you have repented of your sins and turned to God I baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. After baptism

Continue to walk in this newness of life with Jesus.

• Rom 6:10-12  When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.  (11)  So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.  (12)  Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

Go make disciples and baptize others 

• Matthew 28:19–20

Continue your daily walk with Jesus

• Follow Jesus daily in obedience

• Grow in the Word and prayer

• Act 2:42  All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.