Why do I need to be baptized?
But I was baptized as a child, isn't that good enough?
Did Jesus say I Had to be born again?
Was Jesus baptized?
Can I get baptized at one of your meetings?
Why do I need to be baptized?
Jesus commanded that all be baptised in Mark 16:15-20, having set the example through His own baptism (John 3:13-17). Peter repeated the commandment in Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:44-48. Paul explains that baptism is a burial ceremony for our old life "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"(Romans 6:4)
But I was baptized as a child, isn’t that good enough?
The first question to be addressed is whether the practice of sprinkling versus baptism by full immersion is in accordance with the Word of God. There is not one account given in scripture of any person being sprinkled with water. The following examples make clear the mode of baptism in the Bible:
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there."
Acts 8:38 "…and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
Matt 3:16 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water…"
Secondly the Greek word for baptism is BAPTISMA and has the following meaning;
1) To immerse, to submerge (used of vessels sunk).
2) To cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash oneself, to bathe.
3) To overwhelm - not to be confused with Bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B. C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be `dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then `baptized' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change.
This leads us to the second point, baptizing infants.
As described above the purpose of baptism is with a view to producing a permanent change in our behavior and life. Many scriptures clearly indicate Bible baptism is for those who have believed the gospel message and repented, confessing their sins, and are therefore at an age of understanding.
Matthew
3:6 "And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."
Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:"
Acts 2:38 "…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..."
Acts 2:41
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…"
Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women."
Acts 8:36-37 "…See,
here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If
thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and
said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Acts 18:8
"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the
Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed,
and were baptized."
Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest
thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name
of the Lord."
1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth
of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)"
Again we find there are no scriptural examples of any child being baptized. In fact the practice of sprinkling or baptizing infants was introduced by the Roman Catholic Church some thirteen hundred years after Christ. Many other churches have followed choosing to set aside Bible baptism as commanded by Christ and replace it with the tradition of men. Jesus warned of such traditions "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition…Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered:" Mark 7:7-9: 13
Did Jesus say I Had to be born again?
Yes - John 3:1-7 "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
Jesus Christ makes it very clear. Regardless of our status in life or how good we might think we have been, we MUST be born again – of water (baptism) and the Spirit.
Was Jesus baptized?
Yes - Matthew 3:13-17 "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 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."
The baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provides the Bible’s greatest example of water baptism. Jesus Christ the only perfect one without sin was baptized to set the pattern for all of His followers. As Jesus was about to be baptized He said "Thus becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." This attitude pleased His heavenly Father and we read in Hebrews 5:8-9 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
If we proclaim to be a desciple and follower of Jesus Christ let us follow His great example. He is after all "…the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:9 . Jesus made it quite clear "…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." John 14:23-24
Can I get baptized at one of your meetings?
Sure! We have facilities for performing water baptism at our meetings. Usually there is a announcement requesting people who would like to be baptized to indicate, so that arrangements can be made. You can be baptized right there and then at the meeting.
Alternatively, if you would like to be baptized at a different location, arrangements can also be made.