Water Baptism
According to the Bible, to be baptized in water means to be immersed in water after being born again. The order of your relationship and experience in the Lord is first to receive salvation and then to be baptized in water (Mark 16:16).
What Scripture Says
"Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
"Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through the faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).
… and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:21).
What Is Water Baptism?
Water baptism is for a person who has been born again. The New Testament words "baptisma" and "baptizo" were not interpreted from the Greek text, but transliterated into English forms: "baptism" and "baptize." To "baptize" means to completely immerse.
Those baptized by John the Baptist were completely immersed, as were those who believed in Jesus. Scripture tells us that there was always a body of water available, such as Jesus' own baptism (in the Jordan River) and the baptism of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:33). Those being baptized went into the water and were completely immersed.
Water baptism symbolizes Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:14) and is a testimony of your commitment to the Lord. It takes place after you have believed, as with the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2:41) and Samaria (Acts 8:12); and with the Ethiopian (Acts 8:38), Paul (Acts 9:18), Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:15), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33), and the believers in Corinth (Acts 18:8) and Ephesus (Acts 19:5).
Water baptism portrays your sins as being forgiven and cleansed. Your sins are forgiven when you confess them (1 John 1:9) and are cleansed by Jesus' shed blood (1 John 1:7). You are baptized to testify of that cleansing and forgiveness.
Jesus had no sin. He was baptized to "fulfill righteousness." He identified Himself with John the Baptist's message to the people of their need for repentance. Although Jesus was free of sin, His baptism pleased the Father (Matthew 3:17). This act of obedience set an example to all believers of their need for water baptism.
Baptism is a “Prophetic Act” In the scripture there are many instances where God would put it in the heart of someone to be obedient and do something in the natural that reflected what was really happening spiritually or in the unseen world. A couple of references to this are found in 2 KI 13:15-19 and JN 9:6-7 This means that as you are baptized it is not just a symbol of something that already happened but it is reflective as well of what is happening spiritually in this act of obedience.
AC 22:16
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
When these words were spoken Paul had already prayed & believed on Jesus, repented of his sins, but here it says that his sins would be washed away. This speaks of not only washing away the stain of sin but breaking the power of sin, or deliverance from sin’s hold on your life. In the waters of baptism there is victory!
Question: If I was baptized as a baby, is that enough?
Answer: No. Infant baptism is not taught anywhere in the bible. Repentance and believing are essential to a salvation and conversion experience. A child must be old enough to understand that their sin has separated them from God. That God loves them so much that he sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as a sacrifice to pay the penalty due for their sin. Without the gift of God’s son we are under the penalty of eternal separation from God and without a hope of heaven. A little baby cannot make a decision to repent and believe.
Question: What is the difference between water baptism and the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer: Baptism in water is being immersed in water as an act that illustrates that they have died to a life living for self, and being raised from that death with new life and a clean heart. Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs when someone is immersed or filled with the Holy Spirit and His power. Jesus Christ is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit (MT 3:11). A Christian may be baptized with the Holy Spirit before, during or after being baptized in water. (before – AC 10:47-48, During – Acts 19:5, 6 After AC 8:12, 17)
Question: What is the difference between water baptism and the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer: Baptism in water is being immersed in water as an act that illustrates that they have died to a life living for self, and being raised from that death with new life and a clean heart. Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs when someone is immersed or filled with the Holy Spirit and His power. Jesus Christ is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit (MT 3:11). A Christian may be baptized with the Holy Spirit before, during or after being baptized in water. (before – AC 10:47-48, During – Acts 19:5, 6 After AC 8:12, 17)
Many times when a person is baptized in water, upon coming out of the water the Holy Spirit will then fill them with His power. However this must be the desire of your heart.
Why don’t you pray right now and tell God that you desire all that he has for you.
May God bless you,
Pastor Rich