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                                                                                                               Water Baptism
 
 

 
                          The doctrine of baptism is not well understood by some, and abused by others. True believers want to fully understand this doctrine both to be able to walk as
                          closely to our Lord and Saviour as possible, and to be in the position of being able to teach or disciple new believers concerning the same. What is baptism? How, and
                          when does one receive it once they understand it?  Why should one be baptized? The purpose of this page is to offer the answers to these questions.

                          Baptism Defined
                          The word 'baptize' is a transliteration of the Greek term 'baptizo.'  It means covered wholly with fluid. The Bible seems to teach immersion (dip) into water as the
                          mode of baptism. For instance, in John 3:23, John the Baptist was baptizing people where there was much water; there is no need for much water if sprinkling or
                          pouring is all that is necessary.

                          Baptism symbolizes ones identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. In baptism, the believer is buried and raised in likeness of Christ's
                          death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12, 13). Immersion in water is the only mode that fits this type. Only through immersion are we 'buried with
                          Him in baptism' and 'planted in the likeness of His death.'

                          Mode of Baptism
                          Since baptism means to immerse or dip, and since the believers required much water to baptize (John 1:28; Acts 8:38, 39), immersion seems to be the biblical mode of
                          baptism. This mode is the only one that properly depicts our 'death' and 'resurrection' in the likeness of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Early church writings
                          point to immersion as the preferred mode of baptism.

                          The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles strongly advocates immersion. Pouring was permitted under certain circumstances such as sickness or the lack of much water.

                          The forms of baptism known as pouring and sprinkling began to emerge in the second century largely as a result of a false doctrine known as baptismal regeneration
                          which was taught by some Christians. These believers gave to baptism an emphasis and meaning not justified by New Testament doctrine and practice.

                          Reason for Baptism
                          The two primary reasons for baptism are that Christ was baptized (He is the believer's example), and He commanded that all believers do the same; Christ began His
                          ministry by submitting to water baptism (Matthew 3:13-15), and closed it by commanding His disciples to 'Teach and baptize all nations' (Matthew 28:19). Since we are
                          commanded to be baptized, it is not an option, but a must. It must not be ignored as being irrelevant.

                          Baptism is at once both a duty and a privilege, and to give it saving value is to destroy its symbolic nature.

                          The Bible clearly says that baptism follows belief; Acts 8:12 says, "When they believed, they were baptized; Acts 8:37 says, "If you believe, you may be baptized."; and
                          both Acts 2:21 & Romans 10:13 say, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

                          Administration of Baptism
                          Water baptism can be administered by any born-again believer; although it is usually a pastor, any believer can conduct a baptismal service on behalf of the one who
                          seeks to be baptized.

                          The one seeking to be baptized (candidate), however, must be a believer; he or she must have already repented of their sins and received Christ as their Lord and
                          Saviour. The candidate for baptism must understand the symbolic nature of the act of baptism. The candidate's understanding of the doctrine of baptism can
                          be achieved by either a short presentation by the one doing the baptizing (baptizer), or by a formal baptismal class conducted prior to the baptismal service.

                          After considering the above, the only requirement left is water. The service can be conducted wherever there is enough water to immerse the candidate. Most churches
                          have baptismal tanks for this purpose; however, a river or other small body of water (waist deep) will work fine.

                               The water-baptism service is as follows:
                               Both the candidate for baptism and the baptizer enter the water, and stand side by side.
                               The candidate may give his/her testimony.
                               The baptizer will ask the candidate, "Have you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour?"
                               The candidate will respond by saying, "Yes, I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour".
                               The baptizer will place his/her hands behind the candidate; one is placed on the candidate's lower back, and the other is placed on the back of the candidate's
                               neck.
                               The candidate will cross his arms in front of his body, and pinch his nose.
                               The baptizer will say, "I, therefore, baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".
                               The candidate will gently fall backwards, while the baptizer supports the candidate's weight with his hands.
                               The baptizer will allow the candidate to be immersed in the water for a second, and then will quickly bring the candidate up from the water with his hands.
                               Praise God!

                          A third person (assistant) may be needed to assist the baptizer in raising the candidate from the water. The assistant should enter the water with both the candidate, and
                          the baptizer at the beginning of the service. When the baptizer places his hands behind the candidate, the assistant should do so as well.

                          It is necessary, sometimes, to conduct a baptism for one who cannot be immersed. A pastor may be called upon to baptize one who is either sick or
                          bedridden. In such a case, the baptizer should ask the same questions asked in the immersion baptism; however, the immersion is substituted with pouring or sprinkling.
                          The baptizer pours or sprinkles a small amount of water on the candidate's forehead.

                          It is important to remember that the candidate for water baptism must be a believer (Acts 8:36-38). Some denominations will conduct a baptism for one who is not
                          conscious. Baptism is symbolic, and it has no saving value. It must be performed only at the request of one who has been saved, and who wants to
                          obey their Lord and Saviour's command to be baptized.

                          Water baptism for infants is not biblical, and it should never be performed. An infant cannot receive Christ, and has no comprehension of the meaning of the symbolic
                          nature of baptism. The Bible is clear that both infants, and children are innocent (Matthew 19:13-15) until the age of accountability; they are under God's protection until
                          they can make an informed decision about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although they cannot be baptized, they can be prayed over for the purpose of dedicating them to
                          the Lord.

                          It has been shown that, since Christ has commanded the act of baptism, a believer should be baptized as soon as they can so that they can be obedient to the Lord.
                          Since baptism is a symbol of the inward reality of conversion, the believer's salvation is by no means in jeopardy if they do not get baptized, but his faith may be in
                          question. A true believer would want to be obedient to the Lord out of love for Him. The correct mode of baptism is that of immersion in water; this form
                          fully depicts the believer's identification with Christ in the likeness of His death, burial, and resurrection.