Introduction: Matt 28:19-20 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, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." We will look at 6 questions concerning water baptism. Since baptism is a Christian ritual and Christians believe that the Bible teaches us about the Christian life, we will look to the Bible for our answers 1. What Is Water Baptism? Water baptism for the Christian is the act of being immersed into water in obedience to the teaching of and command of Jesus. Before Christ came and even afterwards the Jewish people in the Middle East practiced ritual baptism. This was seen as an outward sigh or symbol of spiritual cleansing. John the Baptizer was an example of this. He called people to repent Matt 3:4-6 4Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Jesus Himself was baptized. Matt 3:13-17 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." We baptize because Jesus commanded it and we see how the early church followed this command. Matt 28:19-20 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, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Typically a church leader will enter into the water with a new believer. The believer will be asked to answer a few questions or make a statement of belief in Christ. Then the church leader will immerse that person in the water. Not all Christians practice baptism by immersion. Some sprinkle or pour water on the one to be baptized. We practice baptism by immersion, and we will explain why in a moment.

2. Who should be water baptized? Believers: In the Scriptures we see that the pattern is: Believe be baptized Acts 2;38-41 Peter proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost calling upon people to believe in Christ, Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, everyone of you... Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized... When Phillip proclaimed the gospel in Samaria, Acts 8:12 12But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. When Paul visited Greece, he proclaimed the gospel in Corinth and Acts 18:8b "many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized" We call this Believer's Baptism first I believe then I am baptized. In other word, believing comes before baptism. We see this same order in the conversion of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:35-38), Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) and Crispus (Acts 18:8). 3. How should we be water baptized? The word baptize typically means to immerse or to dip something into a liquid. It is a word used when you put a piece of cloth or fabric into dye. You completely immerse it in order for it to take upon the color of the dye In the New Testament Scriptures we see evidence that believers were baptized by immersion. If you read the baptism stories in the New Testament you will never see anyone being sprinkled with water.

When John baptized Jesus in the Jordan river, we read in Mark 8 that Jesus came up immediately out of the water. "As Jesus was coming up out of the water..." (Mark 1:8-9). Also we read in John 3:23 that because there was plenty of water, people were constantly coming to be baptized. Furthermore, we read in Acts 8:38, "when they came up out of the water..." Immersion is a Scriptural picture for us: Rom 6:1-4 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 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. The picture is what happens to us as believers. 4. What are the results or benefits of water baptism? Water baptism teaches us that our old nature is crucified with Him and we having new life in Christ. Water baptism declares us free from sin . Rom 6:4-8 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. 5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Water baptism confirms the fact that our old nature (the sin nature) has been destroyed just as the Egyptians were destroyed in the Red Sea. We are no longer slaves to sin just as the Israelites were no longer slaves to Egypt. God delivered them and God delivers you of our bondage to sin. Col 2:12-14 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Water baptism helps us to understand that our lives are now in Christ , we have put on Christ by faith. Gal 3:26-29 26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

5. Does water baptism save us? In Luke 23:39-43, we have the record of one of the criminals crucified with Jesus acknowledging Him as Lord. Luke 23:39-43 39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Jesus told the criminal he would be with Him in Paradise, even though he was not baptized in water. 6. How then are we saved? Acts 16:30-31 30Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Rom 5:8 8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 10:9-13 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."