Composite - Harvest Church€¦ · 26417-Water Baptism 1/24/07 2:16 PM Page 4 Composite C M Y CM MY...

26417-Water Baptism 1/24/07 2:16 PM Page 2

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C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

Marc Estes


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water baptism

You’ve decided to follow Jesus. Somehow, becauseof a strategy that is both baffling and divine, hismessage of hope and everlasting life found you andcompelled you to respond. This newfound closenessyou have with the Maker of the universe will soontake on a whole new dimension of significance asyou begin to fathom the incomprehensible: he gavehis life so that you could live. Let the journey begin.

Jesus made it very clear that one of the first stepsin following Him is to be water baptized. He toldHis followers in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore, go andmake disciples of all the nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father, and the Son and theHoly Spirit.” A disciple is someone who followsJesus and believes he is the only Son of God whowas crucified on a cross—thereby making a wayfor sinners to be forgiven from the wages of theirsin (death)—walked out of his grave three dayslater and ascended to heaven. If you’re followingJesus and believe these things, you are a disciple.

He stressed the importance of water baptism, saying,“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved…”(Mark 16:16). Water baptism, then, is very importantfor any disciple of Jesus. Like you.

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Jesus said in John14:15, “If you loveme, obey mycommandments.”These simple wordsare the foundationfor a healthy, life-long relationshipwith Jesus.


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So what does it mean?

Just like Jesus was buried in a tomb and cameback to life, water baptism represents the deathand burial of the sin in your life and your rebirthas a Christian. It’s a physical indication of whathas already taken place in your heart.

A Holy DefianceWater baptism signifies a holy defiance over thesinful nature that once controlled you. Itsymbolizes the new godly nature you receivedliberally at the very moment you decided tofollow Jesus.

A New IdentityWater baptism indicates that you identify withChrist’s death, burial, and resurrection. It meansyou’re recognizing the astonishing significance ofJesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God payingfor the wrongs of the world by being put to deathon a cross and buried in the ground, and yet, risingfrom the dead three days later. It means yourecognize that, because of the price that was paidfor your eternal life, you’ve become a new personwith a new life.

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Water baptism isboth personalrecognition andpublic confirmationthat Jesus died onthe cross to eliminateyour sinful nature.

“For we died andwere buried withChrist by baptism.And just as Christwas raised from thedead by the gloriouspower of the Father,now we also may livenew lives. Since wehave been unitedwith him in hisdeath, we will alsobe raised as he was”(Romans 6:4-5).


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A Change of HeartIn the Old Testament (before Jesus came toearth), worship and obedience to God was madeevident by outwardly visible virtues such as burntofferings and circumcision. Because Jesus paidthe price for the forgiveness of sins and madea way for mankind to walk with God, NewTestament evidences of following God are theinternal virtues that affect the human heart suchas the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22) to namea few. Since you cannot show someone yourheart or how it is affected by these internalvirtues, water baptism serves as the outwardexpression that your heart has been changedand deeply affected by this newfound closenessyou have with God. It illustrates a discarding ofyour old sinful heart in exchange for a new heartrestored by Jesus’ love.

A Desire to ObeyWhen you willingly respond and make this stepit’s proof that you want to follow and obey Jesus,an outward expression of what you’ve decidedin your heart.

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“When you came toChrist, you were‘circumcised,’ but notby a physicalprocedure. It was aspiritual procedure—the cutting awayyour sinful nature.For you were buriedwith Christ whenyou were baptized.And with him youwere raised to a newlife because youtrusted the mightypower of God, whoraised Christ fromthe dead”(Colossians 2:11-12).


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Who should be baptized?

In order for baptism to have significant spiritualmeaning in your life, you should have alreadyexperienced the full transformation of decidingto follow Jesus by repenting of your sins, havingfaith (acknowledging your belief) that JesusChrist is the only Son of God, and wanting toobey him no matter what.

Repenting of SinsRepentance doesn’t mean you feel sorry orconvicted of your sin (although these things willprobably happen when you sin). Instead,repentance means you reject your sin; it involvesturning from sin and asking God to forgive youand wash your sins away.

Jesus said, “…there is forgiveness of sins for allwho turn to me.” Repenting of sins, then, is partof following Jesus.

Having FaithFaith in Jesus Christ is what defines a Christian.To have faith in him is to solidly believe—tohave a deep sense of conviction—that he is the

Without havingexperienced thetransformation ofaccepting Jesus giftof forgiveness andeternal life (throughrepentance andfaith), you will missthe true purpose ofwater baptism andwill be merelyobserving a formalitythat has no eternalmeaning to you.

Jesus said, “With myauthority, take thismessage ofrepentance to all thenations, beginningwith Jerusalem: thereis forgiveness of sinsfor all who turn tome” (Luke 24:47).

The Apostle Peter said,“…Each of you mustturn from your sinsand turn to God, andby baptized in thename of Jesus Christfor the forgiveness ofyour sins. Then youwill receive the gift ofthe Holy Spirit”(Acts2:38).

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“And now, whydelay? Get up andbe baptized andhave your sinswashed away, callingon the name of theLord” (Acts 22:16).

“But now the peoplebelieved Philip’smessage of GoodNews concerning theKingdom of God andthe name of JesusChrist. As a result,many men andwomen werebaptized” (Acts 8:12).

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Messiah, the Son of God who came to redeem(rescue) the world from sin and death. Faith,then, is what makes us aware of God’s promisesof hope and happiness on earth, and eternal lifewith God in heaven.

Where should I bewater baptized?

Baptisms can take place in a baptismal (a specialwater tank designed for baptisms), a river orlake, a swimming pool or even a hot tub!

Regardless of the location, keep in mind thatyour baptism is a very exciting, special eventand shouldinclude yourchurchfamily. Inmost cases,your localchurchleadership will be involved in the baptism,but Scripture does not clearly require thatchurch leaders conduct the baptism.

“ Ba p t i s m s c a n t a k e

p l a c e i n a b a p t i s m a l , a

r ive r o r l a k e , a s w i m m i n g

p o o l o r e v e n a h o t t u b ! ”


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When should I bewater baptized?

If you’re ready now, why not make plans to bebaptized right away? Talk with another Christianor a church leader, and ask them to explain thebiblical significance of water baptism until youcompletely understand its purpose and benefits.

Why should I bewater baptized?

Water baptism is a step of obedience, commitmentand proclamation.

Baptism Established by JesusYou should be baptized because Jesus toldhis followers to do so. In fact, Jesus himselfwas baptized.

Baptism Throughout the AgesThe apostles of Jesus’ day recognized thisimportant act of obedience, and baptism hascontinued to be a significant part of everybeliever’s life since that time.

Jesus said,“Therefore, go andmake disciples of allthe nations,baptizing them inthe name of theFather and the Sonand the Holy Spirit”(Matthew 28:19).

“[The Apostle] Peterreplied, ‘Each of youmust turn from yoursins and turn to God,and be baptized inthe name of JesusChrist for theforgiveness of yoursins. Then you willreceive the gift ofthe Holy Spirit”(Acts 2:38).

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“…Since we havedied to sin, how canwe continue to liveit?” (Romans 6:2)


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How should I bewater baptized?

Various Christian groups often differ in theirunderstanding of baptism methods. Many disagreeon whether baptism should take place by fullimmersion, pouring, or sprinkling.

However, the original word for baptism used byearly church fathers and New Testament writerswas baptize,which means “immersion” or “tocover wholly with fluid.” Therefore, the NewTestament understanding of baptism was“completesubmersionunderwater.”

Scripturerepeatedlyindicates that we should be baptized in thename of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is done justbefore you are immersed as the person performingthe baptism says, “I now baptize you in thename of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is shownthroughout the Bookof Acts (see Acts2:38, 8:16, 10:48,19:5). While thereis no specific scriptor “formula” ofwords to validateyour baptism, it isimportant to followthe examples inScripture as closelyas possible.

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“ N e w T e s ta m e n tu n d e r s t a n d i n g o f

b a p t i s m w a s “ c o m p l e t e

s u b m e r s i o n u n d e r wat e r .”


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Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Water Baptism:

What if I was baptized before?This depends on whether you were a Christianat the time of the baptism. If you were aChristian, there is no reason to bebaptized again unless you want to bebaptized again after not having lived as a Christian for along season. If you were baptized before you became a Christian,you should be water baptized again.

What about sprinkling?The biblical definition of baptism shows that total immersion

was the mode of water baptism instituted by Jesus.Sprinkling has become a “tradition” in many churches,

but it doesn’t accurately reflect what Jesus toldhis followers to do.

What about infant baptism?No instance of infant baptism was ever recorded in the Bible.Because an infant cannot repent and have faith as described inthe Bible, there is no benefit to the child who is baptized. It isbetter for a child to grow and mature until he or she can fullyunderstand the significance of baptism and make an authenticdecision to be baptized.

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Is water baptism mandatory?The thief who hung on the cross beside Jesuson the day of crucifixion is evidence that salvationis assured without being water baptized. His

conversation with Jesus took place ashe was dying and, though the man hadno chance to be baptized, Jesus promisedthat he would be in heaven that day.Clearly, however, baptism is a deeply

meaningful event in the life of theChristian. Though it isn’t mandatory, it is an actof obedience and a very fulfilling event whichevery believer should experience.

What should I wear?Usually, people wear shorts or pants anda dark t-shirt when they are baptized.Your church will probably have a recommendationof what you should wear.Be sure to bring your own towel.

Will people cry?Baptism is a very moving experience for thosewho are close to you. People may cry tears ofjoy as you’re being baptized. This is normal.

We receive salvationfreely by faith andnot through our ownefforts. However,baptism has a greatdeal of significanceto knowing andfollowing Jesus. Weshould want to bebaptized simplybecause he has toldus to do so and wewant to obey him.

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Will I cry?Probably.

How long will I be under water?Baptism is a quick submersion below the surface of the water. Youwill probably be asked to plug your own nose and hold onto yourwrist, while the person baptizing you also holds onto your wristand supports your upper back to quickly lift you back out of thewater. He or she will be courteous and sensitive to your personalspace. If you have a fear of water or some other discomfort, besure to discuss this with them beforehand.

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A Step of Obedience

Clearly, water baptism is a spiritual directive for all who followJesus Christ and have activated the elements of faith and repentancein their lives. It’s a step of obedience and an outward statementof your inward commitment to Jesus Christ.

If you’re committed to Jesus—if you’ve made up your mind thatyou’re going to follow him throughout your life—baptism is animportant step of obedience you should take. It’s an enrichingand memorable event designed by Jesus especially for those whofollow him.

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