1. ACT OF OBEDIENCE
Throughout the New Testament, water baptism was practiced following conversion. This was done in direct response to Jesus' command that Christians everywhere are to "preach" and then "baptize" those who believe. Therefore, everyone who becomes a Christian needs to be baptized out of obedience to God.
2. STATEMENT OF FAITH
As mentioned earlier, water baptism is an outward statement of one's belief in Christ's death for our sins, the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit to guide and influence our lives, are the only means for gaining a clear, guilt-free conscience towards God. Baptism is a means to make a public statement of your faith.brings it to us each weekend.
WHAT BAPTISM IS NOT?
3. PUBLIC TESTIMONY
In the New Testament, we see baptism practiced publicly. It was a very powerful and meaningful way to fulfill Jesus' promise, "Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32). Those who are publicly baptized "confess before men" their life's commitment to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
1. BAPTISM CAN NOT SAVE YOU
Salvation comes through faith alone, and not works (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, the act of baptism cannot save us. Rather it gives evidence through public action that a person has already been saved.
The cleansing of sins takes place when we believe and accept Christ and ask Him to cleanse our sins
(1 John 1:9). Baptism is witness to our cleansing, but the water itself is powerless to cleanse from sin.
3. BAPTISM CAN NOT WASH AWAY BAD HABITS
Self-control is a fruit of living for Christ, daily in humble obedience to Him. Moral purity, holiness, also known as the Sanctification process is the resulting benefit of receiving Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to influence and change us from within. Baptism should represent our statement of love and devotion to Jesus Christ, and that serving Him is our master passion. Baptism does make a statement before the Lord and to others of your willingness to submit your life to the process of spiritual growth and change through the power of the Holy Spirit. And you can expect Him to further touch your life through this deliberate action. God Bless you as you choose to follow Christ in this wonderful way.
2. BAPTISM CAN NOT CLEANSE FROM SIN
WHAT BAPTISM IS?
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
Mark 11:22 (NIV)
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:3-6 (KJV)