The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptizo” and means “to dip”, “to lower”, “to immerse” or “to enclose” and is a word that was used to sink ships into the sea. Just as Jesus died with our sins and then rose again, so we symbolically bury our old sinful life in the waters of baptism and rise to new life with Jesus. Anyone who repents of their sins, believes in Jesus and confesses him as their Lord and Savior, and wants to become part of the church is invited to be baptized by immersion in water. Baptism in water is an outward symbolic demonstration of what happens within when the Holy Spirit washes us clean of all sin and we become born again. Through baptism, you show yourself, the world and God that you have been saved and is serious about your faith and that you are now entering into the Christian fellowship.
Bible Verses
“19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Mt 28:19)
“37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Ac 2:37–41)
“16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk 16:16)
“8Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.” (Ac 18:8)
“3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Ro 6:3–4)
“38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” (Ac 8:38)
“27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Ga 3:27)
Study Questions
- What does baptism mean to you?
- What is required to be baptized?
- Will you go to heaven if you believe in Jesus but happen to die before you can be baptized?
- From what age should one be baptized?
- What consequences should baptism have on the life of the believer?
Additional Bible Verses
Acts 8:12-13, Heb 6:1-2, Eph 4:5, 1 Cor 10:1-2, Col 2:11-12, Acts 16:31-33, 1 Pet 3:21