Question: "What is the importance of Christian baptism?" Who? What? Where? Water Baptism is a public testimony - the outward confession of an inward experience. In baptism, we stand before witnesses confessing our identification with the Lord When? Why? How? The Great Commission (Matthew 28) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age   Answer: Baptismal regeneration is the belief that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized 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.” The action of being immersed in the water illustrates being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. Anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ as being required for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add ANYTHING to the Gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say that we must be baptized in order to be saved is to say that we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our "account" by faith alone (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation, but cannot be a requirement for salvation. Yes, there are some verses that seem to indicate baptism as a necessary requirement for salvation. However, since the Bible so clearly tells us that salvation is received by faith alone (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), there must be a different interpretation of those verses. Scripture does not contradict Scripture. In Bible times, a person who converted from one religion to another was often baptized to identify conversion. Baptism was the means of making a decision public. Those who refused to be baptized were saying they did not truly believe. So, in the minds of the apostles and early disciples, the idea of an un-baptized believer was unheard of. When a person claimed to believe in Christ, yet was ashamed to proclaim his faith in public, it indicated that he did not have true faith. If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul have said, "I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius" (1 Corinthians 1:14)? Why would he have said, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:17)? Granted, in this passage Paul is arguing against the divisions that plagued the Corinthian church. However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation? If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…” That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make. Further, when Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), why does he neglect to mention baptism? If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the Gospel lack a mentioning of baptism? Question: "What is the importance of Christian baptism?" Answer: Christian baptism, according to the Bible, is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Christian baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized 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” (Romans 6:3-4 NIV). In Christian baptism, the action of being immersed in the water pictures being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. In Christian baptism, there should be two requirements before a person is baptized: (1) the person being baptized must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and (2) the person must understand what baptism signifies. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ, and desires to be baptized – then there is no reason to prevent the believer from being baptized. According to the Bible, Christian baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of one’s faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christian baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring faith in Christ and commitment to Him, and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation? Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior (cf. Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12) FAQ Do you need to be baptised to be a real Christian and go to heaven? What about infant baptism? ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water.

What Christians believe We believe the Bible is God’s word, and should be taught and followed as closely as possible We believe that everyone has sinned, turned away from God and are in need of rescue We believe that Jesus is God’s Son and the only way to Heaven. Nothing more or less than Jesus is required! We believe that the consequences for not following Jesus is separation from God and everything good forever in a place the bible calls Hell.

What Christians believe Sacrament – an outward sign of an inward reality In obeying the bible, we (Baptists) believe that 2 sacraments are important…. Baptism Communion

Baptism What are the different views on Baptism? 1. Baptised as a baby – sprinkling 2. You need to be baptised to get into Heaven 3. Baptism isn’t important – as long as you love Jesus 4. Baptism is a command from Jesus – and we should really do what he says

Baptism What are the different views on Baptism? 1. Baptised as a baby – sprinkling 2. You need to be baptised to get into Heaven 3. Baptism isn’t important – as long as you love Jesus 4. Baptism is a command from Jesus – and we should really do what he says

Baptism – Why oh why? - Follow Jesus’ Example Mark 1:9 Matt 28:19-20 Acts 18:8 1 John 2:3 - Follow Jesus’ Example - Jesus commanded it Shows we are a Christian - Obeying Jesus’ command shows that we know him

Baptism – What oh what? Colossians 2:12 Romans 6:4 Ephesians2:8-9 It’s an outward symbol of something much deeper. Symbol of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Symbol of our new life as a Christian. Baptism does not make us a Christian …it shows that we already are one

Baptism – Where oh where? In Public! Nailing colours to the mast, saying I belong to Jesus

Baptism – Who and when? Acts 2:41 - ‘Those who believed.’ ‘That day’ Acts 8:36-39 - after they believed. Christians can/should be baptised, soon after they believe, and when they are firm in their beliefs.

Baptism – How? Greek lesson - ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water. Matthew 3:16 – Jesus had to get up, out of water Acts 8:38,39 - Came up out of water Identification with death, burial and resurrection (new life)

What next…. If you’ve been baptised… Does your life live up to your identification with Jesus? Are there any other areas of life where God wants you to be obedient? If you’re a Christian, and not yet been baptised… Are you going to follow Jesus’ command and publicly say ‘I belong to Jesus’. If you’re not a Christian, will you start your adventure with Jesus?