Believer’s Baptism

 

Believer’s Baptism follows the “born again” experience at conversion (John 3:3), symbolizing the death of our old way of life (going down) and our “first breath” (raising up) to a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  Baptism was commanded of new believers in the early church (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and the command of our Lord to make disciples is not complete without their obedient step into the waters of baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). Whenever possible baptism should immediately follow one’s conversion (Acts 2:38-41; 8:12; 8:38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16) — Before proceeding, please read the references mentioned above.

 

Although one who desires baptism must first be “born again” (John 3:3), they do not need to feel worthy, perfect or sinless. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the only perfect and sinless person who became the worthy sacrifice for the sins of all men (John 1:29, Romans 5:1-10, I Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22; 3:18, Revelation 5).

 

What is Baptism For?

The Bible teaches that baptism does not save you. It is a simple act of faithful obedience to God subsequent to salvation. Baptism is not about obedience to man or a religion. It should never be done for the purpose of gaining membership into a local church. It is a public testimony before God and other witnesses (I Timothy 6:12) in which one identifies themselves as a “follower of Jesus Christ.” In baptism one is testifying that they have placed their faith in His atoning sacrifice for their sins and has made a commitment to living a righteous life. Baptism signifies both a declaration that one’s sins have been forgiven as well as a pledge to maintain this clear conscience through a life of confession and repentance (1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 1:9).

 

Before being baptized one should be able to answer the following questions in the affirmative. 

(1) Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus died for your sins and have you received Him as your personal savior?

(2) Is it the desire of your heart to follow Him, obey Him, and imitate Him as your Lord?

 

Believers who enter into the waters of baptism should understand the expectations of Christ for anyone who claims to follow Him (Mark 8:34, 35; Luke 9:23, 24; 14:26, 27). If you do not understand or agree with these expectations then please postpone your baptism and read very carefully Matthew 7:20-29 and I John 2:3-6. We encourage you to examine your heart before God and determine if you have a confirming attitude of obedience to Him. Baptism for any reason other than a desire to honor God through simple obedience to Christ’s command would be wrong. Parental pressure, peer pressure, a desire to join a church, gaining spiritual status, performing religious tradition, or to just feel good about yourself are not valid reasons to consider being baptized. However, this does not mean you should ignore a loving challenge from others to “obey Christ” as long as it causes you to focus on His authority (Matt. 28:18), His command (Matt. 28:19) and His Lordship over your life (Matt. 28:20).

 

Please consider the following questions before you request baptism:

Have I had a true conversion experience or do I just think I have?

 

We ask this question because we hear the world boldly claiming that “we are all God’s children!” Many churches have become too accommodating of this notion having never confronted the one thing that keeps us from God—our sin. The Bible clearly tells us that we are not all God’s children. Neither can we evolve into children of God by accident, effort, intellect, good will, or chance. When we are born into this world, we are born as children of Adam. When we are “born again” we become children of God. Have you truly been born again?

 

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

The Bible teaches us that if we humbly and honestly confess to God that we have sinned in His sight and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, asking Him to forgive our sins, we are instantly born again into a new life and adopted by God into a new family—His eternal family. Since nobody knows the heart’s true condition but God alone we can only challenge whoever is reading this to ask themselves the following questions:

 

Have I agreed with Romans 3:23, that “I am a sinner” in need of a Savior?

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

 

Have I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and turned (repented) from my former life of sin?

Acts 2:38 – Repent, [turn from living my way to living God’s way] and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins… 

Act 3:19 – Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

 

Am I committed to righteous living in attitude, desire and regular practice in my life?

John 14:15 – If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

John 14:21 – He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 

John 14:23 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  

Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

1 Peter 2:12 – Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

1 Peter 2:24 – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

 

Do my heartfelt ambitions reflect the pursuit of a new life with Christ?

Romans 6:1-14 – Please read this section. 

Colossians 2:12-13 – Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colossians 3:1-3 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:5 – Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

 

Am I committed to being a “follower and imitator of Jesus Christ?”

Ephesians 5:1-3 – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

I John 2:6 – He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

 

As you consider entering the waters of baptism before God and other witnesses, please ponder these questions in your heart before the Lord, making sure that your public testimony honestly reflects your desire to live a changed life for Christ. When all is done, it is a public statement made in the integrity of your heart between you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

A special appeal from the pastor and deacons to older Christians who haven’t been baptized:

We know that there are many in this world who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior but for various reasons have never been baptized. Perhaps they found the Lord in a stadium crusade or as the result of a parachurch ministry not connected with a local church. Maybe they just haven’t gotten around to it because they didn’t know it was a command. Others never connected into a church or a ministry after their conversion and haven’t had the opportunity. Still others have waited so long that they struggle with their own worthiness knowing that they are not right with God.

At Trinity, we want you to know that whatever your reasons for not having been baptized, they can all be changed in one simple act of obedience. We encourage you and challenge you to take this simple step of obedience to Him.

 

Please ponder these challenging questions in your heart:

 

Question #1:  Is the ordinance of “believer’s baptism” a command or is it only a suggestion?

Question #2:  Is it possible to be an authentic “follower of Jesus Christ” and refuse to be baptized?

 

It would thrill us to accommodate your desire to be baptized upon your request.

 

Adapted from Brian Sayers

[All Scripture quotations are from the King James Bible.]