So what is the meaning of Baptism?
1. It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:34)
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)
2. It illustrates my new life as a christian.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and than not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Why be baptised through immersion?
Because Jesus was baptised that way.
And Jesus, when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water: (Matthew 3:16)
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
..and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him. And when they were come up out of the water.. (Acts 8:38-39)
The Word Baptise means “To dip under water”
The Greek word Baptizo means “To immerse or dip under water”
It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
Who should be baptised?
Every person who has believed in Christ.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptised.. (Acts 2:41)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptised.. (Acts 8:13)
At Community Baptist Church, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptise them.
Some churches practise a “baptism of confirmation” or “Christening” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began 300 years after the Bible was completed.
This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At Community Baptist Church, it is a membership requirement that every member must have been baptised the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were “confirmed” as children.
When should I be baptised?
As soon as you have believed.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptised: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If though believest with all thine heart, though mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.” (Acts 8:35-38)
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptised. If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”!