Baptism Frequently Asked Questions
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY JESUS.
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.” Mark 1:9
2. BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.
"Jesus said, 'Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” Matthew 28:19-20
3. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.
"...many of the people who heard Him believed were baptized" Acts 18:8
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
1. IT ILLUSTRATES JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION AND MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRIST-FOLLOWER.
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead...so also we may live a new life." Romans 6:4
2. IT IS NOT WHAT SAVES YOU, ONLY YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST DOES THAT.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9
WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?
1) EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16
"...then both Philip and the man went down into the waterandPhilipbaptizedhim. Whentheycameupout of the water...” Acts 8:38-39
2) THE WORD "BAPTIZE" MEANS "TO DIP UNDER WATER".
The Greek word "baptize" means "to immerse or dip under water".
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED
1) EVERYPERSONWHOHASBELIEVEDINCHRIST.
"Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized... Acts 2:41
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER YOU BECOME A CHRIST-FOLLOWER.
"Those who believed...were baptized...that day!” Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, 'Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized right now?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The man answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts8:35-38
WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT?
1. BAPTISM IS FOR BELIEVERS.
There are a number of reasons why some churches choose to baptize infants and children prior to them putting their faith in Christ personally. There is the precedent in the New Testament of “whole households” being saved meaning that it is possible that some young children were baptized prior to them personally understanding salvation or believing it for themselves. That being said, in the Bible baptism is generally only for those who have personally put their faith in Christ for salvation. So, if you have reached that decision and were baptized as an infant, you should now be baptized as a Christ-follower.
WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED EARLIER BUT THEN STOPPED LIVING AS A CHRIST-FOLLOWER BUT HAVE NOW AGAIN COMMITTED MYSELF TO FOLLOWING HIM?
1. THE BIBLE DOESN’T SAY.
The Bible does not say what to do in this situation so it’s your call. That being said, since baptism is a beautiful way to proclaim to your circle of friends and family that you are making a fresh commitment to follow Christ, there would be nothing wrong with again being baptized.