June 16, 2016
Baptism follows after a person accepts Jesus as their Savior from sin as visible symbol of this acceptance.
In the Bible baptism comes soon after salvation. The Bible never suggests that baptism earns or provides salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation from God (Ephesians 2:8-10 ). Salvation is a gift from God to those whose faith rests in the grace of God to forgive their sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 5:8; 10:9).
Baptism is the biblical way in which we show that we have died to our old way of life through the death of Jesus, and live a new life through the resurrection of Jesus.
Baptism does not make someone a Christian, neither does not being baptised cause someone to stop being a Christian. However, as an act of obedience, every Christian should be baptised.
Baptism is our response to Christ’s baptism into death and links us with this death through the action of the Spirit. Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus command in Matthew 28:18-20. Baptism celebrates the new life that is ours in Christ.
As we baptize, we celebrate the New life that is ours in Christ and join with them in remembering Jesus as uniting us to God and forgiving our sin.
Entry into the waters of baptism (Acts 8:36-39, John 3:23 and Romans 6:4) is a picture of our old life dying (Hebrews 10:22) on the Cross with Christ.
Coming out of the water is a picture of a new life that has it’s beginning in Christ Jesus.
Baptism is only to occur once, because the entrance into the Kingdom of God occurs only once.
Baptismal Confession
“Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God? Do you believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins by shedding his blood and sacrificing his life for you. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal saviour?
On the confessions of your faith I now baptize you In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.“