Christian water baptism is a ceremony in which one who has repented of his sins and is immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.

It is an act of faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ not a “work” for salvation. Titus 3:5 The book of Acts records the Apostles baptizing on the Sabbath day which is another proof it is not considered a “work”.

(Rom 6:3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?(Rom 6:4) 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.(Rom 6:5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:(Rom 6:6) 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.(Rom 6:7) For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Water Baptism Defined

John’s Baptism

(Acts 19:4) 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.(Acts 19:5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

John's baptism was for, of, or unto repentance. Apparently he used no baptismal formula, but he told the people, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance" (Matthew 3:11). His baptism both motivated and displayed repentance; his converts repented and confessed their sins at baptism (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5).

1. No name used by John in baptizing his followers

2. John’s was a transitional baptism3. It was superseded by NT Christian baptism

Acts 19:1-5

Jesus Himself was baptized by John. Since Christ was without sin (Hebrews 4:15), we know He was not baptized to show repentance or in anticipation of remission of sins. Instead, He was baptized to manifest Himself to Israel as Messiah, the Baptizer with the Spirit, and the Son of God (John 1:31-34); and He submitted to baptism in order "to fulfill all righteousness"(Matthew 3:15).

At Jesus Christ’s baptism, the Spirit of God was manifested in several forms – In the person of Jesus, as a dove which was a sign to John and a voice from heaven. God is not 3 persons but the One Spirit of God has been manifested in many forms throughout the bible.

Jesus’ Baptism

John 3:3-7,”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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The Natural birth The Spiritual birth

2 parts

Part 1. water Part 2. spirit

2 parts

Part 1. water Part 2. spirit

J e s u s m e e t i n g w i t h N i c o d e m u s

Water Baptism - Belief AND Baptism Brings Salvation

Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). Jesus linked both belief and baptism together in the promise of salvation, showing that both are necessary. Jesus did not discuss the situation of one who "believed" but refused baptism, for that is a contradiction in terms. He knew that if someone did not believe he would not be baptized.

Water Baptism - Part of Salvation

Peter recalled that in Noah's day "eight souls were saved by water" (I Peter 3:20). He continued, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). The same flood waters that killed the people of Noah's day actually served as the instrument of salvation for the eight in the ark, for the ark floated on the water. They were saved through the water, which symbolizes the role of baptism today. Baptism is a means of salvation for us, not because it washes dirt from our physical bodies but because it provides us with a good conscience before God. Since God washes away sins at baptism, it is a request or an appeal to Him to give us a conscience free from condemnation.

Water Baptism - Infant Baptism

Saving faith is a conscious, voluntary response to God. The Bible teaches baptism for believers that can confess and profess faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37) and only after repentance (Luke 3:8; Acts 2:38). Infants can neither confess, express faith nor repent, and the Bible records no examples of infant baptism.

Water Baptism - Is Baptism Necessary?

Can one enter heaven with sin still recorded on his record of life ? No. 1 Cor 6:9

Are sins remitted or removed in Water Baptism? Yes. Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom 6:4-6

Is Water Baptism part of our salvation? Yes. 1 Pet 3:20-21, Titus 3:5, Jn 3:5, Mk 16:16

Does it really matter? Yes God expects us to act according to His Word and Will

So, is it necessary to be baptized to be saved? Yes, if you expect to make it to heaven.

Matthew - (Mat 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark - (Mark 16:15-16) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke - (Luke 24:47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The Great Commission

The church in the Book of Acts carried out the Lord's command regarding baptism. In the first sermon of the church, Peter commanded everyone to be baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38): When the Samaritans believed the preaching of Philip they were baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12, 16). The Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, Lydia of Thyatira, the Philippian jailer, the Corinthians, and John's disciples at Ephesus were all baptized when they heard and believed the preaching of the gospel (Acts 8:35-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5). After Cornelius and his household had received the Holy Ghost, Peter "commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:47-48). Ananias commanded Paul to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Paul’s question in Acts 19:3 shows it matters how one is baptized.

Scriptural Occurrences of Early Christian Baptism

Water Baptism - The Earliest FormulaEarly post-apostolic Christians administered water baptism by using the name of Jesus in the formula. According to Heick, "At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." He concluded from a passage in the writings of Justin that during the period from about A.D. 130 to 140 the trinitarian baptismal formula gradually received acceptance.

The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics states: "The earliest form, represented in the Acts, was simple immersion… in water, the use of the name of the Lord, and the laying on of hands. To these were added, at various times and places which cannot be safely identified, (a) the trine name (Justin), (b) a moral vow , (c) trine immersion (Justin), (d) a confession of faith (Irenaeus, or perhaps Justin), (e) unction (Tertullian), (f) sponsors (Tertullian), (g) milk and honey (Tertullian)."

It further elaborates: "In connection with the name… the question of formula arises. The earliest known formula is 'in the name of the Lord Jesus,' or some similar phrase; this is found in the Acts, and was perhaps still used by Hermas, but by the time of Justin Martyr the trine formula had become general. It is possible that the older formula survived in isolated communities, but there is no decisive contemporary evidence."

History says Early Church Baptized in Jesus Name

(1) God remits sins at water baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Sins are forgiven in the total sense of the word. God's record of us as sinners is wiped out, and the penalty for sin - eternal spiritual death - is removed. Our sins are washed away - gone forever. Remission applies to all sins from which we repent, no matter when they are committed. 1 Jn 1:9

(2) Water baptism is part of the new birth. The baptized person is born of water, which simply refers to the spiritual work God performs in him (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).

(3) Baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Jesus (Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12). It indicates that we died to sin by repentance and are burying not only our past sins, but also the "old man" - the dominion of sins and the sinful lifestyle.

(4) Water baptism is part of the one baptism of water and Spirit that places us into the body of Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). It is a personal identification with Jesus and part of our entrance into His family.

(5) Water baptism is part of our spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11-13). God performs spiritual surgery, cutting away the "old man" with its sins. Baptism denotes our new covenant relationship with Him.

In Summary

Acts 2:42,”And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

THE ENDOF THIS LESSON