Baptism

What is the meaning of Baptism?

The Greek verb (bap-tid-zo) is most commonly defined in one of the three ways: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge.  

Water baptism is an external sign of the internal change that Jesus Christ has made possible when the person believes in Him.  Titus 3:5 - “He (God) saved us, not  because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior …” 

Baptism is also a symbol of a person’s union by faith with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Romans 6:3-5 - “have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with Him?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as He was.” 

Who should be baptized?

In Acts 2:37 the people who heard Peter’s sermon were cut to the heart and asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized…” (v. 38) “Those who responded and accepted his message were baptized…” (v. 41)  In Acts 8:9 – 13, Philip is preaching in Samaria about Jesus Christ being the good news. In verse 12 it says that those who believed in the message were baptized, both men and women. A verse later in Acts 8:13, it says that a sorcerer believed in the message that Philip was preaching about Jesus Christ and he was baptized. 

In these records of baptism the person first ‘believed’ in Jesus Christ and then was baptized. Therefore a person must be a believer in Christ to be ready for baptism. 

When should a Christian be baptized? 

Acts 8 is the most detailed example of baptism in the Bible. In verse 26 we see the angel of the Lord sent Philip to an Ethiopian eunuch (the finance man for the Queen of Ethiopia), as he was traveling back to Ethiopia from Jerusalem. Philip explains to this man, “the good news about Jesus.” Verses 36 – 39 says, “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. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” 

There is no reason for delaying baptism. As soon as a person declares trust in Christ, they could be baptized.  

How is a Christian to be baptized?

Matthew 3:16 says of Jesus when He was baptized, “He went up out of the water.” In Acts 8:38–39 it says of Philip and the eunuch that they “both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came out of the water …” These scriptures indicate that the first Christians were baptized by immersion in water.  

Who to contact if you want more info: 

For more information, download booklet on Baptism or Baptism and You. You may also stop at the Information Centre to pick up a Baptism Package, attend an upcoming class or contact the church office.