Why
should I be baptized?
First
of all we should understand what baptism is.
Baptism means to dip or immerse.
It is an outward sign of a person’s fellowship with Christ in His death
and resurrection. We go under the water
as if to be buried, then we are raised up from the water as Christ was in
newness of life. So if you are a
believer in Christ, you should be baptized as a confession of their faith and
in obedience.
What
baptism is not: It is not simply done to
become a member of a church, although that some churches require it for
membership; it is not the washing away of sins; it does not save you; it is not
a condition for salvation; it is not sprinkling which is totally different.
Baptism
is very controversial. Some
denominations believe that baptism is what saves you. They argue with Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and let each of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of yours.” Baptism does not save you. “For it is by grace
you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Eph. 2:8-9. Yes, baptism does follow faith and Scripture
is clear on this. Scripture never says
be baptism and then believe.
To be
saved the heart must be cleansed. Being
immersed in water cannot cleanse the heart.
Only the blood of Christ through faith can cleanse the heart. Acts
15:9 tell us hearts are purified by faith.
When we are baptized we publicly identify with Christ in His death,
burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). We become members of His body and His church.
Baptism
means “immersion”. Sprinkling is not a
form of baptism. Sprinkling or pouring
was a standard in the Old Testament and was associated with cleansing and
anointing. The New Testament speaks only
of baptism. Jesus authorized and
commanded baptism, not sprinkling. Only
immersion meets the criteria for a burial and a resurrection.
What
about when infants are baptized?
There
are churches who baptize infants, but this is not the true baptism. They are sprinkled. This signified that the parents are
dedicating their child to be raise in the church and the church members agree
to help raise and point them in the ways of Jesus. When these infants become older, they must
decide for themselves if they believe in Christ or not. No one else can do that for them. It must be a personal faith in the crucified
and risen Savior.
What
about sprinkling?
Baptism
is commanded. “Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
– Matt. 28:19-20. If you are truly a believer, you will be
obedient to His command and be baptized.
What is
I have been baptized, but had a lapse of faith?
As far
as I know Scripture does not teach re-baptism.
There is no reason to be re-baptized unless you never had a personal
faith in Jesus. All you need to do is
confess and repent of sins and you will be restored. However if you are not sure, getting
re-baptized may be the answer.
Conclusion
Remember,
first you must publicly confess your faith then be baptized. Eternal life is a free gift and you can only
receive it by faith in Christ, not through baptism. Baptism is only an outward sign that you
believe and are now part of God’s family.
Join me
next time for more studies. Have a
blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.
Hope to see you here again. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
__________________________________________
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