Key verse: Romans 6:3-4 "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."

Biblical truth: Jesus Christ came to this earth to live in perfect obedience to God, lay down His life to the hands of those who crucified Him and die for us on the cross. The story of His life does not end there, for after being in the grave for three days and three nights, He rose again by the power of the Spirit of God. (His own power) Baptism is a picture of what Jesus did for us, His death, burial and resurrection, and also a picture of how we are raised in Him to newness of life. I Corinthians 15:3-4

Baptism is also the way that John the Baptist would reveal the Savior to the world. When John baptized Jesus, it wasn't because Jesus had confessed His sins or received salvation, for Jesus is God and cannot sin. It was because Jesus would die, be buried and rise again from the grave to save us from sin. This is the picture we see in baptism. Matthew 3:13-17

What is Baptism?

Baptism is an ordinance (authoritative direction from God) of the church. It is a tradition, a precept and a teaching that God has commanded us to do.

1. The church was commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19-20)

2. The early church immediately baptized new converts. (Acts 2:41)

3. Phillip baptized those that had believed after they heard the gospel preached. (Acts 8:12)

4. Peter commanded those of the house of Cornelius to be baptized after it was obvious that God had saved them. (Acts 10:48)

5. Baptism is often called the first step of obedience because it happened so soon after and was so closely associated with receiving salvation.

   a. In every instance of salvation that we find in the Bible when they got saved they were immediately baptized.

   b. Mark 16:16 links salvation and baptism very close together---though not a part of salvation it is completely linked.

   c. An external revelation of an internal reality---our public confession and testimony that we have been saved by the grace of God.

   d. I have been saved by the grace of God, have died to my old way of life, repented of my sin, and believe that Jesus is the Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)

6. Is a picture of the gospel which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:1-4) These same truths are illustrated in Romans 6:1-6.

   a. Our death with Christ to sin and our old life. (Rom. 6:1-3)

   b. Our burial with Him. (Romans 6:4)

   c. Our being raised to walk in newness of life Romans 6:5

Have you been baptized since accepting Christ? If not, have you considered it in the light of Biblical truth?

Being Baptized

Knowing now that baptism is a command that was given to all those that would accept Him as Saviour, it is good to understand the facts surrounding the qualifications and the practice of baptism. Its important to remember that Jesus was our example in baptism. In the Bible, only those old enough to make a profession of faith were baptized (which eliminates all infants being baptized) and that they were baptized in water (not just with water) quickly after their profession of faith. Baptism never happens before a profession of faith in the Bible and never as a part of anyone's salvation.

1. Why should a person get baptized?

   a. Because Jesus gave us this example Luke 3:21-22 and God the Father was pleased.

   b. Because it is the example that we see from those who got saved in the New Testament. (Acts 2:41; 8:38; 9:17,18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:4,5)

   c. Because the Great Commission gives the church the command to go, teach, baptize and then teach more. (Matthew 28:18-20)

   d. It is a means of public testimony and identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ II Corinthians 5:17, in Christ. (Romans 6:3)

2. Who should get baptized?

   a. The Bible teaches that baptism is for Believers -- everyone who gets baptized in the Bible does so after they have believed. (Acts 8:36-37)

   b. People who have been born again by faith and are sure of their decision to place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

   c. People who wish to be identified with Jesus Christ and His teachings. (Romans 6:3-5)

   d. People who want to give testimony of their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

3. When should a person get baptized?

   a. Only when you are old enough to make your own decision---only those old enough to make a decision were baptized.

   b. After salvation---it is very important that you realize that salvation is by grace and that you will receive no merit, no points, no good works by getting baptized. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

   c. What if a person got baptized and later realized that they weren't saved what should they do? Following the Biblical pattern they would have to be baptized after salvation as a profession of their faith.

4. How should a person be baptized?

   a. By immersion in much water. (Acts 8:38-39) They went down into and came up out of the water.

   b. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19-20)

   c. In a way that adequately portrays the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-6)

5. Precautions to take into account.

   a. Baptism does not wash away our sins. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Galatians 3:11)

   b. What actually cleanses a sinner from his sin is the blood of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:7; 1John 1:7; Colossians 1:20)

   c. We gain no "points" with God by being baptized or having done this "religious work".

   d. Baptism is not the principal work rather the preaching of the gospel. Paul said that he was sent to preach the gospel not baptize. (I Corinthians 1:13-18)

How would does being baptized affect my Christian life?

Personal study time:

Read about these instances of baptism and consider the truths that they present. Make any notes about what you see in the verses in the space provided and talk with your Foundations partner about any questions you may have. If you have not yet been baptized and have decided that you want to be obedient to the Lord's command and identify with Jesus and what He did in you, let your Foundations partner know.

Bible Examples of Baptism

• John the Baptist baptized where there was a lot of water. (John 3:23) Since a part of baptism is the "burial" part, it makes sense that you need much water.
• A person had to confess what according to Matthew 3:6?
• Jesus was baptized to fulfil all righteousness since He was the one who was actually going to rise from the dead. (Matthew 3:15) What did God say from heaven when Jesus came up out of the water of the Jordan river after being baptized by John? (Matthew 3:16-17)
• On the day of Pentecost, those that believed then immediately were baptized. (Acts 2:41)
• Phillip taught a eunuch from Ethiopia about Jesus and told him that if he would believe in Christ, he could be baptized. What things do you see in Acts 8:36-39 about this event?
• The keeper of the prison where Paul and Silas were being held was saved and baptized the same hour. (Acts 16:25-33)