Water Baptism
According to the New Testament

I. WHY BE BAPTIZED?

A.  Because you want to follow Christ’s example.
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.”
Mark 1:9

B.  Because Christ commanded it.
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people every-where and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I had commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20

C.  Because it shows you are a believer.
“…many of the Corinthians who heard Him believed and were baptized.”
Acts 18:8

D. Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know Him.
“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.”
I John 2:3

II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

A.  It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection.
“Christ died for our sins…he was buried…and He rose again.”
I Corinthians 15:3-4

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.”
Colossians 1:12

B.  It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian.
“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside.  The old life has passed away and a new life has begun.”   
 II Corinthians 5:17

“By our baptism then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead also we might 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.  Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is our outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

“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

III. HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

A.  Like Jesus was baptized – by being immersed in water.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.”                   
 Matthew 3:16

B.  Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. (Example)
“…then both Phillip and the eunuch went down into the water and Phillip baptized him.  When they came up out of the water…”
Acts 8:38-39

C.  The word “baptize” literally means “to dip under water.”
The Greek word “baptize” means “to immerse or dip in water.

D.  It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.

The founders of denominations agree:

Martin Luther:  “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”

John Calvin:  “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse.  It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”

John Wesley:  “Buried with Him, alluding to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

 IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ.
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized.”
Acts 2:41

“But when they believed Phillip as he preached the Good News…and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
Acts 8:12

“Simon himself believed and was baptized.”
Acts 8:1