Eleventh Street Baptist Church EXALTING GOD… Extending God’s Love Evangelizing the Lost Edifying the Body Equipping the Saints TO SERVE THE LORD!

ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE CHURCH The ABC’s of Eleventh Street Baptist Church

BAPTISM ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE CHURCH The ABC’s of Eleventh Street Baptist Church

WHAT IS BAPTISM? Baptism is a ceremony marking the new believer’s entry into the Christian faith and family. Baptism is immersion in water.  “Baptize” literally means to dip or submerge.

Immersion was almost certainly the New Testament way. John...was at Aenon near Salim, where there was A LOT OF WATER, and people were coming there for John to baptize them. John 3:23 CEV  

Immersion portrays the meaning of baptism most fully. He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went DOWN INTO THE WATER, and Philip baptized him. After they had COME OUT OF THE WATER, the Lord’s Spirit took Philip away. Acts 8:38-39 CEV   Immersion portrays the meaning of baptism most fully.

WHY DO WE BAPTIZE? 1. Because Jesus commands us to.   Jesus: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NASB

Because Jesus and the apostles were baptized and practiced baptism. Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-41

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED? 1. Every person who repents of his/her sins and receives Jesus as Savior and Lord. And Peter said to them, “REPENT, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins…” So then, those who had received His word were baptized… Acts 2:38,41 NASB

But when they BELIEVED Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized… Acts 8:12 NASB 2. We wait until children are old enough to make a clear commitment to Christ and understand the meaning of baptism before we baptize them. Small children may be dedicated.

WHEN SHOULD ONE BE BAPTIZED? Unless there is a good reason to wait, as soon as it can be arranged after repenting of one’s sins and believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Acts 2:41; 8:35-38  2. We baptize during regular church services.

WHERE SHOULD ONE BE BAPTIZED? 1. It is possible for a person to be baptized anywhere there is enough water. Acts 8:36-38   2. Practically, we baptize in our baptistery at the front of the church.

3. In public. Baptism is not a private matter.   And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Mark 1:5 NASB Jesus: If anyone declares PUBLICLY that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven. But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 TEV

WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN? Baptism is a symbol or picture that tells what happens to you when you accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. When you are baptized you show that: You have repented of your sins. REPENT, and let each of you be baptized… Acts 2:38 NASB

2. You have placed your faith in Jesus.   When they BELIEVED Philip’s message about the good news of the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ, they were baptized… Acts 8:12 TEV

3. Jesus is now your Lord, and you are willing to obey His commands.   Jesus: Go and make disciples of all nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NIV

When you are baptized you show that: 4. Your sins have been forgiven and washed away.   …let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your sins… Acts 2:38 NASB Arise, and be baptized, and WASH AWAY your sins, calling on His name. Acts 22:16 NASB

When you are baptized you show that: 5. God’s Holy Spirit lives in you, giving you new life.   Repent, and let each of you be baptized…and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. Acts 2:38 NASB

6. You have been saved from death and hell.   …God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were SAVED through the water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now SAVES you also… 1 Peter 3:20-21 NIV Whoever believes and is baptized will be SAVED, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 NIV

7. You, through faith in Christ, have died to your old way of life and been raised to a new life. Your life has changed.   We were therefore BURIED with Him [Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was RAISED from the dead…we too may live a new life. In the same way, count yourselves DEAD to sin but ALIVE to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:4,11 NIV

8. You are now a part of God’s people, the church.   Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were ADDED TO THE GROUP that day. Acts 2:41 TEV The body is a unit, though it is made up of parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by the Spirit INTO ONE BODY… 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NIV

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTIZED? 1. Baptism in itself does not save you.   For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 TEV

2. Your new faith is strengthened and confirmed.   3. You testify to the other saved person. 4. You witness to unsaved persons. 5. You are welcomed into a church family with great joy.

WHAT IF A PERSON WAS BAPTIZED BEFORE? If you were baptized after becoming a believer in Jesus by immersion in a church with beliefs similar to ours, you can be accepted into our membership by statement of faith, or by promise of letter from a church of “like faith and order.” Otherwise, biblical baptism is required for membership.