Week 1 Day 4 -- Reasons for Immersion Baptism

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DAY 4 – REASONS FOR IMMERSION BAPTISM (Acts 22:16)

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

     The Greek word “baptizo” literally means “to immerse under water.” The words “sprinkle” (rhantizo) and “pour” (echeo) are never translated as “baptize” and the Greek word baptizo is never translated as “sprinkling” or “pouring.”

Why Be Baptized?

     1. To follow the example set by JESUS.

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.                             (Mark 1:9)

     2. To follow the command of Jesus.

“ ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”                                     

                                                                     (Matthew 28:19-20)

     3. To illustrate my NEW LIFE as a Christian.

³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.                                                                           (Romans 6:3-4)

     4. To identify my unity with Christ and the church.

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   (Ephesians 4:4-6)

                                                                see also Galatians 3:27

     5. To Show the Trinity:

The Father’s Washing Away Of Our Sins

He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.                                                           (Titus 3:5)

                                                                      see also Acts 22:16

The SON’s Death, Burial and Resurrection

³Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.                                                                           (Romans 6:3-4)

                      See also Colossians 2:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The HOLY SPIRIT’s Immersion Within Us

“For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”      (Acts 1:5) see also 1 Corinthians 12:13

Why Immersion (not sprinkling or pouring)?

1. To follow Jesus’ example

And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him.                                                     

                                                                                  (Matt 3:16)

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and they were coming and being baptized.” (John 3:23)

     In both events, John did not sprinkle or pour, but immersed, requiring Jesus to “go down” into the water and “come up” from the water (see also Mark 1:10). John’s baptism required “much water”, something which would not be have been needed if the mode was anything except immersion.

2. To follow the NEW TESTAMENT church’s example

And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away...     (Acts 8:38-39a)

Why BELIEVER’S Baptism (not infant baptism)?

     1. Infant baptism is not Biblical

     Infant baptism was not practiced by the early church. In Acts 16:32, when the jailer and the entire household was baptized, Luke said that all his household also believed: “he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”

     2. Only believers should be baptized

     In the exciting and unfolding story of the spread of the gospel, only those who believed were baptized. No one is baptized before having faith and no one is ever baptized based on the faith of others. The order is always faith first and then baptism (see Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12-13, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:5).

Should I be re-baptized?

     Right mode. If you were sprinkled or poured for your baptism, you were not actually “immersed” and should be baptized.

     Right time. If you were immersed prior to salvation, perhaps at a young age without understanding, you should be baptized as a believer. In Acts 19, some had been baptized by John the Baptist, but were not saved. After salvation, they were re-baptized, this time with full understanding of their salvation.

     Right reason. Others have been baptized, believing that water baptism is necessary for salvation. These need to be baptized again, for the right reason.

We call “believer’s baptism” a first step of obedience to Christ, identifying with Him and the local church. The main question is “Does God want you to be a member of this church?” If so, then you should do whatever it takes to obey Him.

Click here for Week 1, Day 5 -- Communion