Water Baptism is a way for believers to outwardly express what God has done in their hearts and lives in the presence of other believers. When you are baptized in water, you are identifying yourself with Jesus. Family and friends are encouraged to attend and celebrate this significant decision.
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If you have made a Fresh Start with God and accepted Jesus as Lord of your life, you should be baptized. Water baptism publicly celebrates the inner transformation that has taken place in someone's life by putting their faith in Jesus. If you were baptized as a child before having a full understanding or if you recently rededicated your life to the Lord, then you should consider being baptized again.
To follow Jesus' example- Jesus was without sin, but He was water baptized to give us an example to follow.
Mark 1:9 (NIV) – At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Because Jesus commanded baptism for believers- Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) – 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.
As a public declaration of our new life- Water baptism was the first thing believers in the early church did after they believed and confessed Jesus as Lord of their life.
Acts 8:35-38 (NIV) – Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Water baptism is an outward expression that shows what Jesus has done in us and for us. It signifies death to our old life and resurrection as a new creation.
Colossians 2:12 (NLT) – For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
Water Baptism represents three things:
1. Death – Specifically Jesus’ death on the cross. We are freed from our sins by His blood (Revelation 1:5) and our old nature was crucified with Him and set free from sin (Romans 6). Our entrance into the water during baptism is a symbol of Christ's death and washing away the old person.
2. Burial – Jesus was buried and in the tomb for three days. Our old nature and sin habits are buried with Him. Going under the water represents Jesus' burial.
3. Resurrection – We are raised with Christ. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we can also live a new life. Your body is submerged and then lifted out of the water to symbolize the resurrection.
We go under the water because Jesus did. The word baptism is baptizo in Greek which means to immerse or submerge.
Matthew 3:16 (NIV) – As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.
The only requirement for water baptism is faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Anyone who believes that Jesus is the son of God and that his death, burial and resurrection allow us to receive eternal life can be baptized. It should be your desire to turn away from sin and live your life trusting Jesus and the new life He has given you.
Water baptism is not an act of salvation. Only the blood of Jesus washes away our sin.
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Infant baptism can be considered a gesture of dedication but faith and repentance are both necessary ingredients for a changed life.
No, Jesus both modeled and commanded water baptism in the Bible.
We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are ready and that water baptism will be a spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children under the age of five can have a relationship with Jesus, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event, so we encourage parents to wait until they are a little older. We want children to know what it means to be baptized and to be able to make their own declaration of faith.
We have provided an informational resource for discerning whether your child is ready to be baptized as well as a devotional to discuss with them before they sign up to be water baptized.
For any other questions on Water Baptism email info@thelifechurch.com.