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Water Baptism     

To add this as a condition of salvation equals, faith plus works. This is a case of not understanding God's way of salvation.

Water baptism takes place by immersion in water after we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:16  “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:” 

Mark 1:9  “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.” Mark 1:10  “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” 

Acts 8:36-37  "the eunuch said "See here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptised?" And Phillip said, "if thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest.""   

Acts 8:38 “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

It has been said, there are only two ordinances (an official command to carry out something) given by the Lord Jesus Christ to believers. They are the observance of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.                    Each of these ordinances was instituted by the Lord in the gospels, practiced in the book of acts and established doctrinally in the epistles.

 

Matthew – The Mandate (command). Here we have the formula.                                              (the set of words to be used at the baptism).                                                                                                            It is in acknowledgement of their spiritual relationship with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.                        Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”                

 

Acts – The Motive.      Here we see simple obedience.                                                                               It is in acknowledgement of the authority of the Lord. (They are submitting to his command to be baptized).

To be willing to obey the commandment to be baptized, they would have to acknowledge the authority of the Lord who gave it. There are three different expressions used in Acts concerning baptism.                                                                                     

Acts 2:38 “In the name of Jesus Christ”. Acts 8:16 “in the name of the Lord Jesus”.  Acts 10:48 “in the name of the Lord”.

These are not different formulas for baptism, but are relevant to each group’s acceptance of the Lord.

 

The Jews in Acts 2:38, had to believe Jesus whom they had crucified, was the Christ (Messiah). In doing so, they accepted him as Lord. That is required, as nationally they had rejected him as the Messiah.

Thus they were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ

 

The Samaritans in Acts 8:16, had to believe that Jesus was the true object of worship. Thus he is the Lord Jesus. (John 4:22 tells us the Samaritans knew not what they worshipped.) 

Thus they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

The Gentiles in Acts 10:48, simply  believed Jesus was Lord and then submitted to his authority. 

Thus they were baptised in the name of the Lord.   

 

Epistles – The Meaning.  Here we have identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Jesus Christ and a declaration of our desire to walk in newness of life.

See Romans 6:1-11. Galatians 3:27. Colossians 2:12. All these speak of water baptism.

The spiritual reality of being in Christ, and coming into the good of his death, burial and resurrection by faith, is confessed in our baptism. 2Corinthians 5:17  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”                                                        Note – Identification with the resurrection brings the responsibility of walking in newness of life. Romans 6:4 “even so we also should walk in newness of life.” This is highlighted in Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” That is we profess our life will be lived for Christ.

 

Baptism in 1 Peter 3:20-21. The souls in the ark going through the flood waters, and the believer going into the waters of baptism are like figures illustrating the same truth. They both express, that newness of life is made possible by Christ, who bore our judgment. Luke 12:50 “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”. This would refer to Calvary.  Noah and his family in the ark, picture those who are safe from the judgment of God in Christ the Ark. On the grounds of that future truth, they come out of the ark to start a new life.                                                           

 

We as believers today, must understand baptism did not save us. This took place when we were saved by faith. Baptism is the result of a good conscience toward God. Water baptism, expresses our identification with the past death and resurrection of Christ. We are simply making known our desire to live our life for God.

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