Baptism - an introduction

Why do we baptise?

Throughout the generations the church has continued to do the stuff that Jesus did. Jesus was specific about baptism, he told his disciples to train people in the ways of his kingdom and the act of baptism in water was to be a mark of their part in his kingdom. So as followers of Jesus we continue to baptise one another because Jesus told us to. You can read more about this is Matthew 28. Jesus himself was baptised in a river and you can read about that in Luke 3.

Baptism is a significant symbolic event which we do out of obedience to Jesus’ instruction (Matthew 28:19): “…go and make disciples…baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

It provides a great opportunity for you to think carefully through your decision to follow Jesus and then to share that choice with your family and friends and the community of faith.

A symbol is an external, physical and visible act which illustrates something that is internal, spiritual and unseen (like communion or giving money). Paul explains the symbolism in baptism in Romans 6:3-8

…all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death. We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Baptism symbolises:

Action	Symbol	What is happening
Entering the water	Death	Leaving the past behind. Choosing to follow Jesus rather than our old self
Immersed in water	Burial	Burying our old life, putting it away, forever, irretrievably
Coming up out of the water	Resurrection	Born again into a new life, a life of faith, by the power of the Spirit
Joining with everyone else	United with Him	Part of the Body of Christ, His Church, welcoming into the family of the saved

Baptism is the sign that we have chosen to live under the rule and reign of God in his kingdom. It also represents:
• the washing we have received from our sin (forgiveness)
• our adoption into the family of God

Other scriptures
Acts 8:37:…the eunuch said, “Look here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptised?” … then both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.

Acts 16:31-34: Paul & Silas said to the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your household.” …then immediately he and all his family were baptised … he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God, he and all his family.

Colossians 2:12:…having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God…

Matthew 3:6, 13ff: Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan river….Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter Him saying, “I need to be baptised by You, and do You come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.”

How do we baptise

When someone asks to be baptised we will normally baptise by full immersion: in other words by plunging them into the water in a swimming pool, river or lake for a few moments. There are other methods of baptising people (sprinkling and pouring water) which can be used where immersion is not appropriate.

If you are thinking about baptism of young children, please see also the discussion about Christening, dedication and Baptism

David Flowers, 05/01/2007