The Gospel of Jesus ChristWhat is baptism?
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Matthew 3:11-12
What is baptism by water?
Being baptized is your chance to declare your love for Jesus Christ in a very practical way. It is the way that you can take an action that is symbolic of doing what Jesus did for you. Baptism is your statement of faith and by being baptized, you are showing everyone that you chose to die to sin and be born again in Christ.
Dying to sin is your demonstration of your repentance of your sins. It’s not saying sorry every time you sin; it’s saying you give up your sins. After all, dead people don’t do things again. They are free from the pressure of this world
Being born again in Christ means that you chose to live your life the way He lived His, without sin. On your own, this is impossible; but with the Holy Spirit in you this is possible.
Baptism by water is different things to different denominations. Some churches choose to sprinkle you with water and some churches chose to baptize you as a baby. But in truth, the symbolism is wrong here. If this is your statement that you are choosing to die to sin, this symbolism has to be correct. Therefore, baptism can only be a full emersion in water, symbolizing the death and burial of your body so that you can rise again.
What is baptism by the Holy Spirit?
This baptism is where the Holy Spirit fills you (if you like, your personal day of Pentecost), where you start to speak in tongues and receive the spiritual gift of power that sets you up for a life of service and witness in Christ.
Is there any other form of baptism?
Yes! Death is the final frontier that you and I both have to face as we reach our ultimate destination to spend eternity with God. Until then, other baptisms that we receive are what we need to prepare us for this time. Jesus was clear about this when he spoke saying, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” Luke 12:49-50
This bible study is arranged to answer any questions you might have about baptism:
Is baptism by water important?
Read Matthew 3:15. Why was it important for Jesus to be baptized?
Read Mark 16:16. What is the outcome of baptism?
Read Matthew 28:19-20. Is baptism God’s will for you?
Read John 3:18. What if you chose not to be baptized?
What does this baptism have to do with repentance?
Read Matthew 3:11. Why did John baptise people?
Read Luke 3:1-7. Why was baptism necessary? (verse 3)
What is the outcome of baptism? (verse 6)
What do you think John mean by “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”?
Read Romans 6:1-4. What are we repenting of?
What is the outcome of baptism by water?
Read Mark 1:9-11 and Matthew 3:16-17. What happened when Jesus was baptized?
Read Acts 16:31. What does baptism do for you?
Read Galatians 3:26-29. What do you achieve by being baptized? (verse 29)
When should you be baptized by water?
Read Acts 8:34-38. When was the eunuch baptized?
Read Acts 9:17-19. When was Paul baptized?
Read Acts 16:31-34. When was the Jailer baptized?
Do you qualify for baptism by water?
Before you can be baptized by water, there are three questions that you need to answer:
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ risen from the dead and accept Him into your life as your Lord and Master?
- Do you repent of your sins?
- Do you reject the devil and turn aside from all his ways?
If you can honestly answer yes to all of these questions nothing is holding you back from being baptized and you should talk to your Pastor about organizing it as soon as possible.
Don’t let the devil take control of this event by causing you to hold back from doing the will of God!