baptism

1. To follow the example set by Jesus Christ.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9)
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

2. Because Jesus commanded it and established water baptism as a normal expectation for His followers
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

3. It demonstrates you are a Believer.
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”(1 John 2:3)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

The Bible is made up of the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. It was breathed out by God, through men who wrote it, and is God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. In all that it addresses it is true and without error in its original forms. It reveals the standard by which God judges us and the plan of salvation through Jesus. It is the basis, then, for how we run our lives and the church.

Water baptism is a public, outward expression that indicates a personal, inward faith. It gives evidence of the inner change that has already occurred in the believer’s life when he or she was “born again” through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies the believer with the message of the gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, and other believers. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer’s death to the old life and his or her resurrection to a new life in Christ (see Romans 6:1-8; Colossians 2:12).

We are to be baptized because Jesus commanded it and established water baptism as a normal expectation for His followers (see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Throughout the book of Acts, we read of the importance that the early church gave to baptism, and of how it was one of the first steps that people took after becoming a Christian (see Acts 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15; 19:3-5).

All born-again believers in Jesus Christ—and only believers—should be baptized (see Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 16:31-33; 18:8). After Peter spoke at Pentecost, “those who gladly received his word (in its entirety) were baptized” (Acts 2:41). In the New Testament, every instance in which a person was baptized and his or her identity was given, that person was an adult. In light of Scripture, infant baptism must be ruled out, because infants cannot understand the significance of baptism. However, infants are to be dedicated to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 1:26-28). Children may be baptized if they confess Jesus as Lord and understand the significance of baptism.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9) and according to God’s mercy (see Titus 3:5). The thief on the cross next to Jesus had no time to be baptized; yet Jesus promised that he would be with Him in Paradise that day (see Luke 23:43). The Bible contains no record of Jesus baptizing anyone—a strange omission if baptism was essential for salvation. The Apostle Paul declared, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” (1 Corinthians 1:17). This clearly indicates that water baptism is not an act necessary to receive salvation, but it is an act of obedience. It is something that followers of Christ should naturally do as one of their first steps in following (and obeying) Jesus.

Contact Brent Branchaud at brentb@obcc.church if you’re interested in being baptized!