LESSON THREE – SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM

                 Another very essential experience that a believer must have is Baptism.  The Bible clearly states that baptism is the next step after a person trusts in the Lord Jesus for salvation.  It is not a part of salvation nor an act to complete your salvation.  Without baptism, you are saved and completely saved.  Praise God!

                Why is Baptism important? It is important because it was and still is important to the Lord.  He Himself was baptized before He began His personal earthly ministry.  His Baptism set an example for all believers to follow.  Matthew 3 presents a clear account about the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist  at the beginning felt unworthy to baptize Jesus, but the Lord insisted in verse 5 and said the He needed to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness”. 

                The Lord knew that He could not fulfill the job that He was sent to do without first getting baptized.  This is also true with all believers in Christ.  If a believer really wants to follow Christ and fulfill the desires of God in his heart, then he needs to get baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” and serve Him.

                Mark 16:16 presents a truth that everyone needs to understand Baptism.  You notice that Baptism in this text was used with the word “Saved” - not to teach that baptism is a part of salvation.  It is also clear in the last part that condemnation comes only because of unbelief : to signify that baptism is not necessary to be saved.  It is the only way a believer could prove real conversion. In those days, when a believer refused to get baptized,  he would be perceived as someone who’s not really saved.  It was and still is the most genuine way a believer can declare to others that indeed he trusted in the Lord.

                Baptism is significant because it is the first act of obedience to God.  It is the act the makes God  unravel His plan and will in your life, making you a vessel ready for His own use.  The following are some important points that a believer needs to understand:

 1.                You need to be saved to be baptized.  Baptism before salvation is not Baptism. (Acts 2:41)

 2.                Baptism must be from the authority of John the Baptist’s baptism.  The Lord recognized his authority that He walked 70 miles to be baptized.  Today, that authority comes from the local Church.  (John 1:6; Matthew 3:13)

 3.                Baptism must have the correct mode – Immersion only.  The word baptism was transliterated from the Greek word, “baptidzo” which means to “dip” completely in water.   Short of immersion is not baptism.  (Matthew 3:16)

 4.                Baptism must represent the proper symbolism – the Death, burial and the Resurrection of the Jesus – thus, immersion.  (Romans 6:4)

                 When a believer gets baptized, he is now prepared to be trained for service.  God places him in the local Church to get the necessary training and nurturing.  That’s why baptism also makes you be a part of the local Church of God, the body of Christ.