Water baptism is a demonstration of our obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of it! Baptism is not a rite of purification for Christians. The act of water baptism (being immersed in water in response to receiving salvation) is a very important first step in the Christian life. Baptism confirms our position ‘in Christ’ and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life. https://www.facebook.com/HealingRoomsSMV/videos/745938536064502 “Those who accepted his message were baptized….” (Acts 2:41) And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Why do some teach and preach that baptism is not important? I honestly cannot find one excuse why you should not be baptized. This issue is our number one question we get often. Baptism does not ‘save’ you; only your faith in Christ does that. The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Origin and Characteristics. So important is baptism to the Christian life that Jesus makes the call to baptize a fundamental part of Christian discipleship (Matthew 28:20). 1. A common illustration that demonstrates the purpose of baptism is the wearing of a wedding ring – “with this ring, I thee wed ”. Water Baptism as Taught in Scripture 6 3. inquires wherein would be the wisdom, or value, of such a consecration to death, (as baptism suggests), if this new theory that the dead did not rise, were true. True faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross is sufficient for salvation and doesn’t require any additional “works” by us (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is typically done through immersion of the person into the water or lowering them quickly under the water and bringing them back up. “…then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. Not only did they begin a ministry of baptism while Jesus was with them ( John 4:2 ) but they were diligent in calling people to the waters of baptism after his resurrection. When it comes to emergency baptisms, it’s not as simple as just saying the words and blessing the individual. ",  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”,   Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.  At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. In Matthew 3:13-17, we see the Lord Jesus Himself coming to His cousin John to be baptized, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." We are dead in sin before Christ. Water baptism is a way to visually preach the gospel. He then went on to establish baptism … We pray that these answers will help shed some light on your decision to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. ", "Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.". Personal Note: Note: Many people have emailed asking what my motives were in writing this article about water baptism.For those interested, I’ve given a brief explanation in my blog. 2. We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 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. For if we have been united with him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like his." 3. “ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Baptism demonstrates our love for Jesus, â€œIf you love me, keep my commands." Any evangelistic pastor will make sure you get water baptized as long as you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is a command of God and a public declaration of the work our Lord has already accomplished within us. ; Others consider baptism a form of exorcism from evil spirits. In the same way, if I have trusted Christ to save me from sin, and He is the lord and joy of my life, then I’ll want everyone to know about it. Some faith groups believe baptism accomplishes the washing away of sin. My spouse and I really did go through the marriage ceremony, but I just didn’t have my ring on my finger. 4. Baptism connects us to the wider Body of Christ. The apostles and the early church made sure to keep the commandment of water baptism. Would that mean I wasn’t married? Still others teach that baptism is an important step of obedience in the believer’s life, yet only an acknowledgment of the salvation experience already accomplished. When they came up out of the water….”, “Those who accepted his message were baptized….”, “But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women”, “ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Instead, baptism is a way to demonstrate the spiritual reality that Jesus has already accomplished through his work at the cross. In Matthew 3:13-17, we see the Lord Jesus Himself coming to His cousin John to be baptized, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Similarly, infant-baptism is a means to appease spiritually ignorant parents concerning the sad eternity of their doomed offspring. Baptism has similarities to Tvilah, a Jewish purification ritual of immersing in water, which is required for, among other things, conversion to Judaism, but which differs in being repeatable, while baptism is to be performed only once. "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. Have you ever thought about getting baptized but have too many questions still unanswered? When they came up out of the water….” (Acts 8:38,39), Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17). In baptism, we are buried with Him, then raised with Him for a new life. “ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…”  (1 Corinthians 12:13) Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! In this message, Pastor John Lindell shares an insightful sermon titled, "Why Water Baptism is Important." As you will see in the verses below, water baptism is also identifying and testifying to the death and resurrection of Jesus.When we are being fully immersed into the water, we are identifying with Jesus’ physical death on the cross and His body going fully into the grave. Show the person that one of the most compelling reasons for water baptism was that in the book of Acts when Christ was preached the people responded by being baptised in water. If the baptism does not use water, then it is not believed to be a valid baptism. 3. Water baptism is a practical demonstration of a spiritual reality that has already taken place in your life. While modern churches often lightly sprinkle baptismal water on infants, the bible speaks of adults making a conscious decision. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. I know of people that have been a Christian for over 40 years and have never had the desire to get water baptized for whatever reason. An Act of Obedience: Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. Baptism also connects us to the ‘body of Christ,’ his people in the earth. According to the Christian religion when someone decides to believe in God the next step is to be baptized. Water baptism is a public declaration of our promise not to continue walking in sin. So baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation and I’m committed to living for Him. This is something that the disciples took to heart. Though it can be associated with water, this is not always true and quite often every reference in the Bible is mistakenly considered a reference to water baptism. Several passages in Acts describe the apostles immediately baptizing nearly everyone who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We bury the ‘old life,’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’. Yet Christians have also always realized that the necessity of water baptism is a normative rather than an absolute necessity. Look at what happened at the Baptism of Jesus Christ "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Romans 6:1-5) He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. This page responds to … Despite the obvious importance the Bible places on believer's baptism, it is clear water baptism is not what provides salvation. It’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust, and have put your hope in Christ. The word “baptise” comes from the Greek word “baptise” which means “to immerse or dip under water”. This passage establishes water baptism as a commandment from Jesus himself, and it is the principal reason why water baptism remains important for us today. This too is not biblical but entered similarly by the same that brought in “sprinkling”. In Summary: Acts 10:34-48; v48 "So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." “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. There is a deep symbolism to the core of our faith embedded in water baptism, and everyone who engages in it must be first made aware of its purpose and importance in scripture. Why should I consider getting baptized? It is God's will for everyone that we express our love and trust of God by being Water Baptized. Water baptism is an act of obedience after salvation. I would encourage anyone reading this that has not got water baptized to do the command of God and make that public declaration of what Jesus has done for you. A Public Declaration: Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is a demonstration of our obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Standing in the water symbolizes a Jesus dying on the cross, immersing in the water symbolizes Jesus being buried in the tomb and being raised from the water symbolizes Jesus rising from the dead. In this message, Pastor John Lindell speaks from the Gospel of Mark and gives insight on Why Water Baptism is Important. This is clarified as follows: The clearest evidence for this is Romans 6:3–4 which describes the act of baptism as burial and rising from the dead. 2. 1. We believe in baptizing children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief. No, of course not. 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. Important Of Water Immersion Baptism In The Life Of A Christian,significant Of Water Immersion Baptism In The Life Of A Christian,Why You Need To Get Re-Baptized in water,danger of baptizing in swimming pool,the important of baptizing in flowing river,Satanism In Baptism,God’s Accepted Mode Of Water Immersion Baptizing, Why Should Water Immersion Baptism Be Conducted In Flowing … Baptism in Water is important, because it is a step of Faith that confirms that the person has been converted to Christ (Mk 1:4-5, Acts 4:41, 8:12, 36-38). Baptism is an act in which a Christian is immersed in water to symbolize the end of an old way of living, and a new start. All Rights Reserved. Christ commanded his disciples to preach the Gospel, draw people to faith in him, and baptize those who come to conversion. These men and women believed in Jesus Christ and wanted to obey his command. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”. John the Baptist was baptizing in water and so when Jesus was baptized, water was used. For spiritual cleansing, we look to Jesus alone. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:35-39) Since Jesus left a final command for us to be baptized (as disciples) and to baptize others (to make them disciples), there is nothing stopping us who are not on our death beds from doing the right thing and obeying His wishes for us on this matter. Some folks are looking for answers, and a few want to debate the point over and over. John was widely known for baptizing people in the river Jordan and Jesus Himself was water baptized by John at the beginning of his ministry (Luke 3:21). Let’s say I’m not married right now, but if I put a wedding ring on my finger, would that make me married? In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them, ‘Father’, ‘Son’ & ‘Holy Spirit.’ The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). 1. Baptism connects us to the body of Christ, and gives us a real sense of being joined with other believers in a communal journey towards the goal of perfection in Christ Jesus. The practice of water baptism first started with John the Baptist who was a Jewish prophet calling the people to repentance and to prepare the way of the Lord. Water baptism is fondly known as a â€œbaptism of repentance” (Acts 19:4) because it is a public show of a person’s repentance from their sins. (John 14:15). "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.". Your email address will not be published. Why shouldn't be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Colossians 2:12 "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." Join us as we read God's Word and learn biblical truth about water baptism and why it is so essential in a Christian's walk with the Lord. >> What is the importance of water in baptism and where did this originally come from? “But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). Com. Water baptism is a symbol to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Water baptism is a practical demonstration of our spiritual reality and a personal testimony that we have passed from the old life of sin to the new life in Christ. Baptism is a symbol. Of course! More about Water Baptism on our Miscellaneous Topic page here. 2. We bury the ‘old life,’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’. The act of water baptism (being immersed in water in response to receiving salvation) is a very important first step in the Christian life. ( In fact, the Modern Hebrew term for "baptism" is "Christian Tvilah".) “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. Baptism in biblical times was very different from the baptism of today. Whether it is shyness, having no church you attend, etc. It also expresses unity with all the saints ( Ephesians 2:19 ), that is, with every person in every nation on earth who is a member of the Body of Christ ( Galatians 3:27–28 ). ¿What is Christianity in the Bible? Why is baptism important? Being immersed in the water does not save us; we are saved when we consciously trust Christ as our Savior! One just recently passed away and trying to encourage the other one. The idea most certainly came from God. A Brand New Life: Here is one simple way to explain baptism: It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptized When you get baptized it is a testimony to God and people that you, by faith, will live a new life as an overcomer. The purpose of water baptism was clear and unchanged from the time of the apostles until after the Protestant Reformation. The purpose of water baptism is just as clear and consistent in Scripture Believers in the New Testament were baptized the same day. "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." 9:10-18; v18 "...He got up and was baptized." Answer: Water baptism symbolizes the believer’s total trust in and total reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a commitment to live obediently to Him. However, his circumstances were quite exceptional, and they exist to illustrate that one who truly gives their heart to Jesus on a death bed, will not be kept out of heaven because they failed to be baptized. I would love my spouse and want the whole world to know it! (Mark 1) To the Jewish mindset, the religious symbolism of water was very important. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. The use of water in baptism and during the liturgy has a symbolic meaning for Catholics, linking them to the grace and love of God. ", “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,”, “… For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…”, “…then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Recently I’ve met a few people who have become convinced that water baptism is necessary for salvation. He wrote: “Baptism is no human plaything but is instituted by God himself. But imagine that I truly was married and I really, really loved my spouse Would I wear my wedding ring? There are, of course, certain rituals that must be respected, the most important of these is to keep the matter of the sacrament, the water, intact. The use of holy water and its associated rituals is of crucial importance in Christianity. " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites in Halakha Jewish law and tradition, called tvilah, have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked.The tvilah is the act of immersion in natural sourced water, called a mikva. Not being baptized, does not mean you will not make heaven, the prime example of this is the thief on the cross with Jesus, he was promised paradise even without baptism (Luke 23:39-43). "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9) Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Similarly, I can be a believer in Christ, but not baptized, and my sins are still paid for and forgiven by God. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. No excuse will be acceptable of not doing it. Going into the water, we are united with Christ in His death and coming out of it, we are resurrected into newness of life! As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. We must be careful not to let the significance of baptism be lost on us or simply consider it a mere tradition of Christianity. For this reason every Christian who believes in Jesus Christ must be baptized, since Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk 16:16). 4. In order to understand the purpose of water baptism, we will examine the principal scriptures surrounding it to see why it was established and why even Jesus participated in it. It’s like the wedding ring example. Why shouldn't be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer. Sermon Description. We’ve touched on the subject of water’s connection with religion before, but here we’ll take a deeper look at the concept of holy water and Christianity.. If you have any other questions that we can help you with, please feel free to contact us here. “… For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The historical and Biblical record on the purpose of water baptism is remarkably clear and simple. "When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. In order to understand its importance to us today in the 21st century, we will look at why it was important to the Early Church in Acts. Water baptism is a public declaration of our promise not to continue walking in sin. Moreover, it is solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we shall not be saved” (Large Catechism 4:6). “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16), Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. No way, of course, I would still be married.  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. Acts 8:5-13; v12. "But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." … If you have any other questions that we can help you with, please feel free to contact us here. This is most naturally understood to mean that you are buried under water and then come out of from the water to signify rising from the grave. The Apostle poses the argument that, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Similarly, I can be baptized in a church, but that doesn’t make me a true believer in Christ. Imagine that I was married, though.  For if we have been united with him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like his. Copyright 2016-2018. Acts Start arranging it today to get water baptized if you need help finding a church or pastor to help you contact us here with all your information. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! The Gospels tell us to baptize believers â€œTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19) Water baptism is like a ring of identification. Baptism itself has no power to cleanse or save from sin. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). 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. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! Sermon Description. “Those who accepted his message were baptized….” (Acts 2:41) BAPTISM IS A GOD - ORDAINED, SYMBOLIC EXPRESSION OF OUR HEART'S APPEAL TO GOD. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 We continue the practice of water baptism today as a symbol of our personal and public identification and union with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 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. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”. On water baptism one of the principal passages, which establishes it as a doctrine is Matthew 28:19-20: "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. Jesus himself was baptized He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow. The word baptism in Greek means dip or immerse. 5. Acts 18:8; "Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.". ( Romans 6:4). Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5). First off, water baptism is not a requirement of salvation. All sins are forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. Following Christ: In order to understand the reason for being water baptized, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it. Water baptism is a symbol to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We would love to help you understand a little bit more about this significant, next step in your journey of following in the footsteps of Jesus. Water also signifies purification and cleansing. It originated with John the Baptist and is actually what earned him the title â€œThe Baptist”. The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! Acts 16:13-15; v15  "When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home." When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6). Why is Baptism in Water important? A close friend and new pastor in a poor village in India used an old dirty cow trough to baptize a sister in. We do not save ourselves; God saves you through the work of Christ. Acts 16:30-33; v30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.  At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized." We pray that these answers will help shed some light on your decision to in! Person into the water and bringing them back up make sure you get water baptized immersion. Message, Pastor John Lindell speaks from the Gospel a practical demonstration of our obedience the! What is the importance of water was very important. are forgiven, the Hebrew. Everyone that we express our love for Jesus, “If you love me, keep my commands. India an... Truly was married and I really did go through the streets really why is water important in baptism go through marriage... Purpose of water was used yet Christians have also always realized that the disciples took to.! Close friend and new Pastor in a ‘new life’ when someone decides to believe in the! A believer ; it shows that you love me, keep my commands. say. Us or simply consider it a mere tradition of Christianity 6:3–4 which describes the act of baptism lost. Want the whole world to know it eternity of their doomed offspring baptize... 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