Water Baptism

1. Water baptism is one of the two ordinances of the Church.

An ordinance is an outward rite appointed by Christ to be administered in the church as an outward sign of the saving truth of the Christian faith. The Lord's Supper is the other ordinance of the church.

2. The Mode of Christian Baptism

Baptism requires:

A. Water - Acts 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"

B. Much water - John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.

C. The candidate to go down into the water - ACT 8:38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

D. A burial in water - COL 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

ROM 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

E. A coming up out of the water - ACT 8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

MAT 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

3. The Symbolism of Christian Baptism

ROM 6:4-5 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

According to the above Scripture baptism symbolizes three things:

• Christ's death

• Christ's burial

• Christ's resurrection

4. The formula for Christian Baptism

A. In the Name of Jesus - ACT 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

B. In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - MAT 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

5. The Recipient of Christian Baptism

The candidate must:

A. Repent- ACT 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

B. Believe- MAR 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you."

Scripture reading for this week

For this week read all these verses on baptism (if you are being baptized you must read them before the baptismal service)

• Matthew 3:13-17 Matthew 28:19

• Mark 16:16 John 3:22-23

• John 9:12 Acts 2:38-42

• Acts 8:12, 13, 16 Acts 9:18

• Acts 10:46-48 Acts 18:8

• Acts 19:5 Acts 22:16

• Romans 6:3, 4 I Corinthians 1:13-17

• I Corinthians 10:1, 2 I Corinthians 15:29