Written by Kabutu Chuunga The New Birth in Christ We all exist in this world because we were biologically born

of our parents. When someone hears of being born again they always think of getting into their mothers womb and be born as they were once born. We find this story in John 3 where Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews went to Jesus by night to express his acknowledgement that Jesus was a Teacher (Rabbi) from God because of the kind of lessons he taught and miracles he performed. To his surprise Jesus told him that for anyone to see the kingdom of God they should be born again. 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. John 3:3 5. In these verses we find Jesus telling Nicodemus that for one to be born again the same should be baptized of water and the Holy Spirit. When we look at Jesus expression to Nicodemus we see Him referring to the baptism of water (physical) and the Holy Spirit (spiritual) as being born again. In this topic we will be looking at the meaning and importance of baptism, as well as the way Jesus showed how baptism should be administered. Baptism is burial beneath the water, entirely hidden from the world, the eyes closed and breath held, just as in a real burial, then raised again from the water, opening the eyes, catching the breath, and again associating with loved ones, just as in an actual resurrection. Baptism represents two outstanding events: first, Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; secondly, a death to sin, a burial of the old nature, and a spiritual resurrection on the part of those accepting Christ. It is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our redemption. Romans 6:3-8. Just as Christ died for the sins of the world, was buried in the tomb, and was resurrected again, so the sinner must die a spiritual death to sin; his old life must be symbolically buried in the waters of baptism, and then he must be raised from the watery grave to live a new life in Christ Jesus. Jesus gave the first example about how anyone taking a stance to follow Him should be baptized. This was when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Matthew 3:13. One would ask a question to say did Jesus sin for Him to be baptized? Or was there any repentance in Jesus for him to be baptized? The answer is He was baptized by John the Baptist (in river Jordan) not because He had sinned, but as an example to us, and to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Heaven was pleased, for we read, Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3: 17). He commanded His disciples to baptize converts among all nations. The true Christian will obey the command of Christ that brings him into such a close relationship with God. The baptized believer is actually adopted into the royal family of God and takes the royal name of Christian.

There are so many theories that have existed from Christian churches on many issues in the Bible including baptism. Most of them use the books of Paul in their references. I would like to look at Pauls views on baptism. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death .... That the body of sin might be destroyed. Romans 6:4, 6. See Colossians 2:12. Paul in Romans 6:4, 6 referred to baptism us a burial into death and a resurrection into life as Jesus was raised from the dead. In Colossians Paul stated that baptism is being buried with him (Christ) and also being raised through the faith operation of God who raised Jesus from the dead. The process of immersion symbolizes death while the act of coming out from the water symbolizes a resurrection into Christ. The moment one comes out of the water is a new born baby in Christ. A resurrection; a rebirth; the beginning of a new life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Romans 6:5. After baptism Christians are to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4).

Is Baptism important? Peter in the book of Acts referred to baptism as a process for the remission of sins and a way to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38. John the Baptist was baptizing hence his name John the Baptist. His message was repent and be baptized for the kingdom of God is at hand. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:29, 30. If you compare John the Baptists message with Peter, you will notice that both are referring to repent (1), be baptized (2) for the remission of sins (3) and acceptance into the kingdom of God (4). Following this approach one can concur with me that baptism is very important to anyone who wants to follow Jesus. It symbolizes genuine repentance, forgiveness of sins and being ushered into the kingdom of God. In Luke 7:30 the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him. By rejecting the baptism of John the Baptist, the Pharisees and the Lawyers simply rejected to repent hence their sins could not be forgiven and they could not receive the Holy Ghost and the kingdom of God.

What should precede baptism? It is important for one to understand the meaning of baptism before they get baptized. This should be undertaken by individuals who have been taught about who Christ is. The following steps should be used in the churches and anywhere before baptism is conducted.

A. The candidate should be carefully taught. Teach all nations, baptizing them. . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20. The candidate should be taught all things that Jesus commanded. This is really much more necessary today than in the apostles' time, for the following reasons: There was a definite risk and sacrifice even in professing Christianity in the days of the apostles. Baptism tended to eliminate a mere nominal profession of His name. People do not relish scorn, reproach, division in the family or martyrdom just to take up a new religion. But, today, it is a matter of honor to be counted a church member. So every candidate for baptism should understand fully what it means to become a follower of Christ. In those days, Jesus Christ Himself was the issue. No one thought of any Sabbath but the Bible Sabbath. So that was not an issue. But today it is. Today, the teachings of Christ, as well as Christ Himself, is the issue. What will the candidate do? Accept Christ and reject His teachings? This is impossible. To receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour means to accept all things whatsoever He commanded. One may join a church that preaches Christ and yet deny almost every fundamental doctrine of Bible religion. We have, in the churches today, everything from fanaticism and playing with rattlesnakes, on the one hand, to ethereal ideas that there is no sin or death, but only God and life and good. Millions seek some mystic higher plane while evading the eternal teaching of the Word of God and avoiding the everlasting truths that sin is the transgression of the law of God. That the wages of sin is death, and that Jesus is the only Saviour from the transgression of the law. It is therefore clearly essential that candidates for baptism be thoroughly taught all things that Jesus commanded; else the profession of Christ may mean fatal delusion and dangerous heresy. B. The candidate must believe. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16. After being taught, the candidate should, in his heart, believe in Christ as Lord, as a personal Saviour, and in His teaching. It is not enough to say, I believe in Christ. Today that may mean almost anything. He should believe His Word and teachings as recorded in the Bible; and, by faith, follow his Saviour. C. The candidate must repent of his sins. Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2Corinthians 7:10. To repent means to turn away from sin. It means to turn to God and righteousness. Man, of his own free will and choice, must make the decision to turn to God and away from sin and error. A vital element of true repentance is godly sorrow, which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). This repentance

God will give us if we are willing to turn away from every sin (Acts 5:31; Romans 2:4). God's love melts the heart, and the Spirit of God makes us truly sorry for sin when we behold the precious Saviour dying for the sins we have committed. D. The candidate must be willing to die to sin (Romans 6:3, 11-13). As Jesus died for sin, man must die to sin. He will choose to lose a hand, a foot, an eye, before he wills to use them to do evil (Mark 9:4347). His hands will not hold ill-gotten gain or lift to his lips the red and stirring wine that bringeth forth babbling and woe. Nor will he stain his fingers or foul his breath with the poisons of tobacco. His feet will not cross the forbidden places of the world's alluring and sinful pleasures. He will not yield his members as instruments of unrighteousness. E. The candidate must be ready to live for God (Romans 6:11,13). And Christ will dwell in him by His Holy Spirit. When Satan knocks at his heart door, he will find the old man gone - dead. A little girl put it this way: When Satan comes to my heart's door and calls for me, I tell him that Jesus lives here, and then Satan goes away. When God calls, we yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God. With Isaiah we say. Here am I; send me (Isaiah 6:8). Such are born again men and women. Candidates for baptism should learn, believe, repent, die to sin, and surrender to God; therefore, infant baptism is not Biblical. We may dedicate our children to God, but infant baptism is without meaning in the light of these facts. There is no example for it in the New Testament!

There are so many types of baptism which one is biblical? I will give a direct answer to this question. The answer is Immersion. The Greek root word baptizo means to dip, to plunge, to immerse.. to cover with fluid, etc., as material is dipped into a vat of dye, as the blacksmith plunges hot metal into a tank of water. The meaning is definitely not sprinkle or pour but to dip into water. Baptism by water is God's plan. This is made clear by Jesus' words to Nicodemus. 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. John 3:5. John baptized at Aenon, because there was much water there (John 3:23). If sprinkling or pouring could be accepted as a form of baptism when water is not enough John could have used it here instead of going to Aenon where there was enough water. Paul to the Colossians wrote about baptism saying Buried with him in baptism Colossians 2:12. Burial beneath the water, entirely hidden from the world, the eyes closed and breath held, just as in a real burial, then raised again from the water, opening the eyes, catching the breath, and again associating with loved ones, just as in an actual resurrection.

Many people argue on the issue of baptism. There are so many Christian churches that have arisen with different methods of baptism. Sprinkling, pouring, and many others are being used in Christian churches as methods of baptism. They say it does not matter how you are baptized what matters is your belief in Christ. Why was Jesus dipped or immersed in the waters of the Jordan River when He was being baptized by John? Why did John the Baptist look for a place with enough water at Aenon instead of just sprinkling or pouring water? John baptized at Aenon, because there was much water there (John 3:23). If you are a sincere Christian who loves Jesus and are ready to follow Him hear what He said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15. The method of immersion illustrates the meaning and purpose of baptism. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:3-6 Notice these four points about baptism: A. Baptism commemorates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. B. It symbolizes the death and burial of the old man of sin. C. It represents resurrection to newness of life in Christ Jesus. D. It indicates the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16). Since baptism commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and Jesus died and rose but once, those who immerse the individual three times instead of once miss the important point of Jesus' sacrifice once for all (1 Peter 3:18). Those who baptize the candidate face down, depart from the regular mode of burial. The old man of sin must die and be buried, and the new man (Ephesians 4:22, 24) be brought forth to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). This is symbolized by the candidate's closing his eyes, holding his breath, being buried under the water, being raised up, opening his eyes and breathing again, then walking out of the watery grave. Sprinkling or pouring simply cannot symbolize this spiritual work of grace in the Christian. Baptism is first and foremost an outward symbol of the change made by God's grace in the sinner's heart. We need to understand that both the person baptizing and the person being baptized should get into the water. This simply shows that there should be enough water for baptism. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. Matthew 3:16. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no ,more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:38, 39. Philip and the eunuch went into the water, and came out (Acts 8:36-39). Philip baptized in the same manner as John the Baptist. He and his candidate went down both into the water, both

Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. They then came up out of the water. Here we have but one candidate. He could have been sprinkled with a few drops of water or a cup of water might have been poured over his head, but this would not have been baptism according to Jesus' example and commandment; hence Philip immersed the eunuch in a pool of water by the side of the road. John used to baptize people in the Jordan river but certain seasons of the year the Jordan river had low water for baptism (immersion) and John opted to go to Aenon where water was enough. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. John 3:23. What should every newly converted individual do? We need to refer to the Bible and see what newly converted individuals should do. When we go to the book of Acts 8:12, we find Philip preaching in Samaria. All those who believed Philips preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ were baptized regardless of the sex whether male or female. 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: 12. We also find Paul giving a testimony about how he was stricken by a lightening and finally got converted. After telling the people his testimony those who believed immediately were told to be baptized. Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16. The newly converted individuals should make the decision at once to be baptized and then start fellowship with others every Sabbath. Baptism is a very important act that should be performed to every newly converted person. Through baptism sins are washed away. Paul said to the newly converted, And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16. (See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.). It should be understood that the blood of Jesus is the one that washes away the sins. It is not the water. You get baptized (dipped) into the water in the name of Jesus. This means that you die with Christ. By dying with Christ you agree that He died for you and His blood washes your sins away. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5. We get baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins Acts 2:38. According to both the Bible and history, the New Testament church invoked the name of Jesus at water baptism. Its baptismal formula was in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus in Mathew told His disciples, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. Mathew 28:19,20. Jesus sent us to go to teach people worldwide. In our teaching we meet people who were once baptized at one time or the other. What should be done to such new converts in the faith we hold? I will use a reference from the time of Jesus and John the Baptist. This story is found in Acts 19:1-5. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed

through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:1-5. In the above scriptures is the record of believers who were baptized twice. Important new truth had come to them, and they acted upon it and were re-baptized. NOTE: There is still another lesson for us in the experience of those Jewish converts. When they received baptism at the hand of John they did not fully comprehend the mission of Jesus as the Sin Bearer. They were holding serious errors. But with clearer light, they gladly accepted Christ as their Redeemer, and with this step of advance came a change in their obligations. As they received a purer faith, there was a corresponding change in their life. In token of this change, and as an acknowledgment of their faith in Christ, they were rebaptized in the name of Jesus. From this lesson we conclude that when we find people who claim to have been baptized in another faith (church, denomination etc) and have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviuor the same should be re-baptized. Just as we have seen that there is only one form of baptism (immersion) there is only one true faith. I have had some serious debates on the baptism of Water and of the Holy Ghost. Some Christians say the Holy Ghost baptism is sufficient. They say once you are baptized with the Holy Spirit there is no need of water baptism. What does the Bible say? While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:44-48. Here Peter commanded these sincere believers to be baptized in the name of the Lord. This involved immersion in water. They had already been baptized with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, there is no substitute water should always be involved if one is to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Baptism a Symbol of Marriage with Christ. When we get baptized, we put on Christ. A bond is created. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13. When people get married they make vows saying for better for worse. This means that the two are bonded together and should be together be it in happiness or adversity. This should be a stance of every person who accepts to follow Jesus. Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all

[ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. From these verses we see that when someone accepts to follow Christ, they are called to get yoked with Him. It means the person is completely changed the former is gone and the newness in Christ abides in that person. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek these things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1. The decision to be baptized is a serious one. If you have not yet taken this step publicly and in the biblical way, I urge you to give it prayerful consideration. Since you have gone through this topic, you have enough knowledge to decide in favor of this most beautiful ceremony. If you have a desire to unite with a people who believe what you have been learning, please let us know and we will assist you in every way possible. May God richly bless you as you consider this important step. Amen.