“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
Who Should be Baptised?
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
Everyone who has genuinely repented of his or her sins and has given their life to Christ should be baptised in water. Baptism immediately follows the personal conviction of every believer after rebirth. It is a personal decision, which no one else can make for us.
Why Should Every Believer be Baptised?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
We obey Christ's instruction. Baptism is a command from Christ.
‘Arise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”
Acts 22:16 (NKJV)
It’s a decision in faith to leave your sinful life behind and obey Christ. As Paul was told shortly after his conversion.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4 (NKJV)
It’s a demonstration of truth. Being born again, we have been united with Jesus in His death, His burial and His resurrection from the dead.
“16When He had been baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water... 17and suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV)
We follow Christ’s example. Christ was baptised publicly, not because He had sin, but to demonstrate His wholehearted submission and obedience to His Father. He identified Himself with sinful man, pleasing His Father.
Do you Need to be Baptised in Order to be Saved?
“8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
We are saved by grace alone through Christ alone. Baptism is then a public declaration of your denial of self and your obedience to Christ in faith after you have accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
When Should a Believer be Baptised?
“36... ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptised?’ 37Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”
Acts8:36-37 (NKJV)
“32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptised.”
Acts 16:32-33 (NKJV)
Every believer should be baptised after they have come to faith in Christ.
How Should you be Baptised?
‘And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and (Philip) baptised him.”
Acts 8:38 (NKJV)
“When He had been baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water...”
Matthew 3:16 (NKJV)
Baptism means “to dip or to immerse” someone. Both Jesus and the Eunuch went into the water and came up from the water. In the same way we should be fully immersed under water. Submerging symbolises our complete surrender to Jesus and a laying down of the old life. Coming up from the water signifies our arising from the old life into a new life because of Christ.
In Acts 2:38-41, the crowd asked Peter what they should do in response to his sermon, he gave them a three fold answer: repent (salvation), be baptised (water baptism) and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (baptism in the Holy Spirit). These three experiences are vital first foundations for every believer at the start of their Journey with God. In Acts, those who responded were added to spiritual family to become active members, serving their family with their time, talents and treasures as they sought to honour God in everything.
QUESTIONS
• Have you repented of your sins?
• Have you put your trust in Christ alone for salvation?
• Have you been baptised in water since you repented?
• Would you like to get water baptised?
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with.