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Water baptism: You are there!

Imagine an “interview” with one of Jesus’ early disciples! Here are some questions we might have asked him or her about the subject of “water baptism”.

Q: What did Jesus say about “water baptism”?
A: He not only spoke about “water baptism”, as clearly recorded in Matthew 28:19. He gave us the example to follow. In fact, he himself accepted to be baptized. You can actually see it in Matthew 3:13-17.

Q: How old was Jesus as a baby when his mother took him to be baptized?
A: Jesus was baptized as an adult, not as a baby. Water baptism is for each person to decide for himself or herself. A baby cannot do that!

Q: But doesn’t baptism free a baby from the power and condemnation of “original sin”?
A: Of course not. Neither Jesus nor anyone else in the Bible was baptized as a baby. Baptism is for people who have repented of their sins, and have already accepted Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. You can witness that exact situation in Acts 2:37-41. But a bath never made anyone fit for heaven!

Q: A “bath”! You mean a “sprinkling”, don’t you?
A: Neither Jesus nor anyone else was “sprinkled” with a few drops of water on the head! In the Bible, being “baptized” is the term used for being “immersed”. That’s what that word means. Just check it out in Acts 8:36-38, for example. Obviously, water baptism calls for a person to be willingly placed under water and to be lifted up out of water. That’s immersion. All the early churches followed this biblical practice.

Q: I have to think about it.
A: Water baptism is not an option that a Christian can take or leave, accept or ignore. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded everyone who accepts to follow him to follow his example in baptism. Can you not almost hear his command in Matthew 28:19?

Q: But doesn’t baptism as a baby count for something?
A: If your parents had you so baptized, you can honor them for their hope that you would live as a Christian. Yet, you now know that Jesus’ command awaited your own obedience, not your parents’ decision. No one and no ritual can make you be a Christian.

Q: So, what is the meaning of water baptism?
A: To be baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ is the most evident way that you as a Christian can identify yourself with him. That is powerfully described in Romans 6:3-4.

In water baptism you freely affirm and celebrate the following:

(1) I obey Christ as the Lord of my life. I don’t want to delay obeying him. Christ said, “If you love me, you will obey my commands” (John 14:15). In Acts 22:16 you can read one man’s response.

(2) I identify my life with Jesus’ life. I am one with him! Into the water I go, even as Christ was buried in the grave. Out of the water I come, even as he rose from the grave. My “old self” is buried and has no more power over me. My new life with Christ has begun! In my innermost being, I am a “new self”! That is the exciting revelation of 2 Corinthians 5:17.

(3) I am one with you, my brothers and sisters in the church. God has united me with you. He has already “baptized” me by his Holy Spirit into the life of the church. I have already received that baptism of the Holy Spirit! What a wonderful picture of this family unity in 1 Corinthians 12:13!

(4) I rejoice to give my testimony to family and friends who have yet to discover the new life God offers to all who would trust and follow Christ.

(5) I hereby take my stand against any destructive or deceitful evil which might threaten me. At the Cross, Jesus Christ defeated all evil! How powerfully that reality is shown in Colossians 3:15!