Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. Then Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” John 10:10 and Galatians 2:20.
The “abundant life” which Jesus came to give us is his own life with its love, power, faith, and victory over life’s difficulties. This is the meaning of the bread and wine Jesus offered saying, “This is my body … this is my blood … given for you”.
The amazing gift of God is that we should have the life of his Son. The Bible Christian anticipates physical health, protection from accidents, intimate communion with God, and a wonderful peace and joy of faith.
It follows that those who wish to receive this life will live as Jesus did and the first major event of his ministry was his baptism by John the Baptist. In the next moment the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove, which is exactly the pattern established for believers today. We MUST be baptised and we MUST receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. Matthew 28:19-20.
WHY BAPTISM?
Read Romans 6:3-11 where baptism is seen as death and burial. Three points are made:
First, we are “baptised into his death”. That is, we totally identify with his selfless death on our behalf.
Second, “we are buried with him by baptism into death”. This is our own death to this world.
Finally, “we are crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed.” Baptism is the symbolic destruction of the sinful body.
All this happens by faith and the grace of God, who alone can work such miracles. After baptism the person must rise into a new life by faith. This is the parallel with resurrection. “We are buried with him by baptism … that like as Christ was raised from the dead … even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3. If we die in baptism, “we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
The resurrection power is in the Holy Spirit. Read Romans 8:11. The pattern seen at Jesus’ baptism, and at his death, must be fulfilled in us. We die with him in baptism, and are resurrected by the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This is accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues just as happened in the early church. See our leaflet on the Holy Spirit.
THE METHOD OF BAPTISM
From all this, it is logical that the Bible method of Baptism is by full immersion under the water to symbolise burial. The Greek word “baptiso” translated baptism in our Bibles was an everyday word meaning “to dip or immerse”. The same word is used in Mark 7:4, 8 where it refers to the washing of pots and cups. Pots are immersed, not sprinkled. When the method of Baptism is indicated in Scripture, it is clearly by immersion. ”They went down both into the water,” Acts 8:38. John baptised at “Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there.” John 3:23.
Historians of all denominations, and church leaders such as Luther, Calvin and Wesley are unanimous in testifying that the method of baptism in the days of the New Testament was by full immersion.
Infants were not baptised in the Bible. Baptism comes after believing, not before it. ”He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved”. Mark 16:16. “Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptised”. Acts 18:8.
Infant sprinkling, called “christening”, was introduced early in Church history, possibly in the second or third century. But it remains an unscriptural tradition, in direct opposition to the words of Christ. Jesus said, “Why do ye transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” Matthew 15:3.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTISED?
Baptism is commanded of all who desire to worship God and follow his Son. Matthew 28:19-20. Obedience is a fruit of repentance. Baptism is, “the answer (appeal) of (for) a good conscience toward God” 1 Peter 3:21
The perfect and holy Son of God was tortured, crucified and buried. By his death he took the punishment we, as sinners, deserved, that we might be forgiven. In baptism, we gladly identify ourselves with his death and burial. When we rise from the water we expect, as we call upon God, to be wonderfully filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16.
The apostle Peter said, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (putting away) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.
BAPTISM INTO CHRIST
Paul says, “For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. This does not leave much assurance for those who will not be baptised. Peter says that just as “eight souls were saved by water … baptism doth also now save us”. 1 Peter 3:20-21. Baptism is an essential part of the salvation process, and shows a desire for pure conscience toward God. It is most unwise to reject the full counsel of God.
GOD’S BLESSINGS
God will bless you as you obey this fundamental Bible commandment.
We encourage all readers to honour the example of Jesus and be baptised by immersion, even if this challenges your former tradition. Expect to be wonderfully filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember how Jesus said, “Thus it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness”. Matthew 3:15.