No matter the denomination, baptism is an integral part of being a believer and follower of Christ. At Greater Phoenix Church of God, we believe it is vital to understand the meaning of baptism and its place in Christianity and why it’s an essential part of a Christian’s conversion. Let’s take a look at what we can learn about baptism from the Bible.
What Does the Bible Say About Baptism?
Hebrews 6:1-2 refers to baptism as one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, yet so many Christians misunderstand the purpose of and reason for baptism. While many modern churches often lightly sprinkle baptismal water on infants, the Bible speaks of true baptism as a conscious decision made by an adult. As written in Mark 16:15-16, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.” A believer will realize a need for Christ’s intervention in their life. Then ,by looking to Jesus as their Savior, they make a covenant with him through repentance, forgiveness and the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. Being Baptized is the sinners way of agreeing to live their life serving the Lord. The sinner makes a covenant thru the act of Baptism. Baptism only comes by commitment to forgo one’s old life and embrace the opportunity to walk as Christ did. That is to say they get the notion of Loving God with all their heart and loving their neighbor as themselves. These instructions are the essence of what Christ taught. Anyone who believes in the truth,the life and the way, that is to say Christ will leave their old life and follow the Lord. Starting with forgiveness and repentance man aligns himself with Christ’s command which prompts all believers to repent and believe the gospel by being Baptized for the remission of sin. Accepting this most important commandment proved they were true believers of Christ’s teachings, and these distinguished early followers became his disciples who spread His teachings.
Philip spread the word that baptism was necessary for salvation from Christ, and according to Acts 8:12-13, “. . . they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.”
Acts 8 continues to recount the story of an Ethiopian eunuch Philip encountered as he was spreading the good news of Christ. When the eunuch learned the good news (verse 35), he wished to be baptized. “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized? ’Then Phillip said” If you believe with all your heart, you may”. And he answered and said , “ I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8: 36-39). Rather than simply use the water the men were likely carrying in their travels, the eunuch followed the words of Jesus Christ and asked Philip to baptize him when they came upon a body of water. The bible is very clear that they both “went down into the water” and “came up from the water,” showing that the Eunuch truly understood and wanted to obey the teachings shared by Philip, and thus was baptized fully covered in water.
The Meaning of Baptism
Why is baptism so important in a Christian’s life? The gesture is vital to God’s commandments, and is a forceful illustration that our sins and transgressions have to be washed away, or forgiven, by God. For a Christian who has made the choice to be baptized, full immersion baptism means their old way of life goes under the water and then rising from the water they begin their new life of salvation. For the faithful, baptism is a powerful symbol or parallel to the death of Jesus for man. Just like His resurrection, Christian rise from the waters to journey in their new life: “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 6:4). Through baptism, we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior and become His people, trusting in His forgiveness. It serves as a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit.
Christians must truly believe in Christ. It all starts with a commitment to repent and be Baptized for the remission of sin. This commitment does not end after we come up out of the water. A true believer must always worship in spirit and truth. The true believer will follow the way that leads to life everlasting. He is not ashamed to be called a Christian as he treats Christ’s painful Death as something precious, something to believe in and hold on to. He believes in the good news, that man can repent, believe and make a covenant with Christ by being Baptized into a new life. As Peter told Cornelius, a God-fearing man full of good works and deeds who always prayed, you have repented and believed in Christ , all you have to do now is be baptized in the name of Christ. “Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10: 46-48).
For a Christian, to be baptized means they have made the choice for rebirth through Christ, bringing renewed joy and purpose. Jesus will return to begin God’s Kingdom as King of kings and Lord of lords, and believers become the children of God by repenting, being baptized in his name and receiving His Holy Spirit. As a result, they become brothers to Jesus, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.
To rejoice in the fellowship afforded us by the grace of Jesus and the love of the Father, please join us Saturdays at 10:30am for the live sermons of Greater Phoenix Church of God at 4300 North 82nd Street in Scottsdale, Arizona, or watch live at https://greaterphoenixcog.org/. Our church is casual and welcoming to all.