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Water baptism is a hot topic in some churches. There are disputes about who can be baptised, when a person can be baptised, even how a person should be baptised. And isn't it just a ritual? Does it really have meaning in today's modern world?
Jesus talked about water baptism, and the early church practised it. So what's it all about? Let's take a look.
Mat 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Being baptised in water is not an optional extra, it is a command that we have to obey.
Acts 8:36-38 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" (37) Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (38) So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Anyone can be baptised in water as long as they believe with all their heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
This means that, although babies can be dedicated, they can't be baptised until they are old enough to exercise faith.
Rom 6:3-5 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Water baptism is how we identify with Christ's death and resurrection.
It means that we are saying that our old self is now dead and we believe that we have been raised from the dead as a new person.
The word "baptise" comes from a Greek word which means "to dip" which is why many Christians believe that water baptism should be by total immersion and not just a sprinkling.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Mat 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
You will notice that while Peter said to be baptised "in the name of Jesus Christ", Jesus Himself said to be baptised "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
Unfortunately, some believers have died themselves up in knots and embraced legalism as they haggle over which is correct.
This rather misses the point.
Water baptism was never meant to be accompanied by a formula; it was meant to be accompanied by faith.
If you like these Topical Bible Studies, don't forget to check out our Expository Bible Studies too.