FAQs - Baptism
Question:
I was raised in a denomination that believed in sprinkling for baptism. I know you teach baptism by total immersion. Since I have already been baptized by sprinkling as an infant, isn't that enough?
Answer:
What does it mean to be baptized?
From the Greek word bapto meaning to cover fully with fluid and make fully wet.
You are drawing a line of separation
You are not who you used to be - 2 Corinthians 5:17
You are making a public confession
You are giving a testimony of faith in Jesus Christ - Matthew 10:32, 33
You are identifying with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection
Why should I be baptized?
It is an act of obedience
Jesus gave us an example to follow - Matthew 3:13 - 15
Jesus gave us a commandment to follow - Matthew 29:19 - 20 and Mark 16:16.
It identifies us with the Lord Jesus Christ
New Testament believers experienced much persecution as a result of their testimony for Christ
We must not be afraid to give testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for us
It helps seal our commitment to Christ
Many Christians want to hold onto the world with one hand and onto God with the other
Baptism makes it more difficult to go back to old lifestyles, patterns of behavior, etc., because it is a public declaration of your new life in God
What is required to be baptized?
You, the Candidate
Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Anyone who recognizes its significance
The Element of Water
A Minister to Baptize
What examples of baptism are there in scripture?
Jesus - Mark 1:9
Ethiopian Eunuch - Acts 8:36 - 38
Cornelius - Acts 10:44 - 48
Philippian Jailer - Acts
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