New start

Water Baptism

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1. What does the word baptism mean?

      The word baptism comes from the Greek word 'Baptizo', which means to dive, immerse, flood, or submerge (ie  cover completely with fluid).      

      So that doesn't include sprinkling a few drops of water on a baby's forehead.

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   2.  Why should I be baptized?

      at)  Because of His Sovereignty

        As we have seen before, one of the requirements for salvation is complete submission to Jesus and making Him our Lord.  One of

        ways in which we confirm His sovereignty is by obeying His commandments.

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        Matthew 28:19 -  Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, (KJV)

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One of His commands is to baptize people who become His disciples.  

By being baptized , we show Jesus that He is Lord.

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      b) Because we are disciples

        When Jesus was baptized, He left an example so that we could follow in His footsteps.

        Matthew 3:13-17

        Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But Jean opposed it, saying: It is I who need to be    

        baptized  by you, and you come to me! Jesus answered him, Let it be now, for it is becoming that we thus accomplish all that

        East  fair. And  Jean no longer resisted him. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came out of the water. And behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God

        go down  like a  dove and come upon him. And behold, a voice came from heaven saying these words: This is my beloved Son, in whom I have

        put all  my love. (KJV)

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      From this passage we can draw some interesting facts:

• Jesus was baptized in order to fulfill or complete all righteousness by being obedient to His Father's will.  He wasn't baptized because he was a forgiven sinner, because He had no sin.  He has always been fair.  If Jesus had not been baptized, He would have disobeyed the will of the Father (ie sinned) and would no longer have been righteous.

• Christians are also righteous and like Christ they are baptized to fulfill all righteousness, by an act of obedience.

• Jesus was surely overwhelmed if He “came out of the water”.  So again, Jesus set the example for his disciples to follow.

• It was only after this step of obedience that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit.

• Obedience always pleases God and brings His blessing.

   3.  When should I be baptized? ​

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        Acts 2:38

        Peter said to them, Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the

        gift of the Holy Spirit. (KJV)  

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        Acts 8:36-38

        As they continued on their way, they encountered water. And the eunuch said, Here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?  

        Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, it is possible. The eunuch answered: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He stopped the

        tank ; Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch. (KJV)

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        Acts 16:30-31, 33

        He brought them out, and said, Lord, what must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas answered: Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,

        you and your family. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all that were in his house. He took them with him at this hour

        even in the night he washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his family. (KJV)

        1. You must be saved BEFORE you are baptized.

        2. Once you are saved, you are ready for the waters of baptism.

        3. Baptism should follow salvation as soon as possible .  

         Hebrews 6:1-2

        Therefore, leaving the elements of the word of Christ, let us strive for that which is perfect, without laying again the foundation of renunciation.  

        to  dead works, faith in God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and judgment

        eternal. (KJV)

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   4.  In whose name are we baptized?

        Matthew 28:19

        Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, (KJV)

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Vine translates “baptizing them in the name”, which would indicate that the baptized person was closely related to, or became the property of,

the one in whose name he was baptized.

        Acts 10:47-48a

        Then Peter said: Can we refuse the water of baptism to those who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized

        in the name of the Lord. Whereupon they begged him to stay with them for a few days. (KJV)

        Colossians 3:17

        And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

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