Water Baptism – Why, How & Most Asked Questions

The Bible declares in I John 4:10, ‘God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’  What a picture of His extravagant love! In the first segment of this study, we attempted to delve deeper into understanding the nature of God and there our eyes beheld His glorious majesty, His astounding power and unparalleled holiness.

Then in the second segment, we looked into our own natures, and had a glimpse of the depravity and wretchedness of our sinful state.  The beauty however lies in understanding the bridge that exists between the two drastically different segments; in realizing the extreme measures to which this awesome and holy God went, just to redeem and ransom you and I from the ugly mess we were sinking in – Sin.

In this third segment now, we will study about our response to this remarkable gift that God has given us – Salvation.

Baptism – Introduction:

A baptism service is one of my favourite services to be in. Being in the service always reminds me of that day nearly fifteen years ago when I made those exact vows to my lover and Lord – Jesus Christ.  Now, after all these years, I understand well all the symbolism and meaning that is beautifully woven into the service; but when I think back, I’m not really sure I knew completely what everything meant at the time.

And this is often the case with many new believers.  On the other hand, those of us who have been in the Church for several years, know all too well the many disputes and differences in opinion that arise pertaining to who should be baptized, how they should be baptized, in whose name should they be baptized, etc., and the list goes on!

Much controversy and debate has clouded the importance of this doctrine in the Church.  According to Hebrews 6:2, the doctrine of baptism is part of the foundation, which the Christian life must be built.  So for the benefit of both the amateurs and veterans, let’s look to the Word of God and attempt to understand this beautiful ordinance of the Church.

What is Water Baptism?

The word ‘baptism’ is derived from a Greek term – ‘baptisma’ or ‘baptizo,’ meaning, ‘to immerse, to dip, to submerge’.  To baptize something means to put it completely under the water.  Therefore in water baptism, the believer is put completely under water, then immediately raised out of it.  As we already know baptism is given to those who have chosen to become Christians, therefore many people think that baptism is a magical ceremony that makes them Christians.  Nothing could be further from the truth!

Baptism is the commission of Jesus. Bible says in Matt 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

The apostles in the early church followed this commission and preached the Gospel with power. The people were convicted almost immediately to be baptized of water.

You don’t become a Christian through baptism; you are baptized because you have become a Christian by believing that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior.  Water baptism is only as important as the believer believes it to be.  Water baptism is for our benefit, not God’s.  It does not ‘do’ anything to us to make us any more acceptable to God.  It is only a symbolic act of obedience with no extra power to save.

What does water baptism represent then?

1.   Water baptism represents your allegiance to Christ.  It is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.  Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command.’ And He has commanded baptism in Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20.  He did not command something He did not fulfill first; Jesus Himself was baptized.  Not because He was sinner, but in order to humble Himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow (Mark 1:9).

2.  Water baptism represents your personal commitment to Christ in a public setting.  Biblically speaking, baptism is merely an outward symbol of an inward change that has already occurred.  It is declaring to the world and the devil that you no longer belong to it; you now belong to Christ.  Remember, it is not something we must do to impress God, but something to impress on our mind and to others, what has taken place in us.

3.  It represents a clear break with your past.  When we are baptized, we are actually saying goodbye to our old life (self) that has passed away, and begin life as new creation who is now IN Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).  By becoming a Christian, you have been set free from your old master, Satan, and now belong to Jesus and you need to behave that way.  Water baptism represents a point of separation between your old and new lives.  It reminds you that you cannot keep living like you used to.

4. According to the Bible, water baptism for the Christian symbolizes his/her death, burial and resurrection with Christ.  Unless the person really believes they died, there is no need for a burial.  When you became a Christian, the Bible says you became a new creation; your old life has passed away (II Corinthians 5:17). Water baptism helps demonstrate the reality of this spiritual truth that the old ‘you’ has died. ‘Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’ – Romans 6:4. Therefore through your baptism you are publicly declaring that you have died to your sinful old life.

Answers to some common questions:

The only closest mention is of a child dedication with an offering unto God.  (Ref Luke 2:22:23)

2. Why was Jesus baptized?