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What is Baptism?

Baptism and Communion (the Lord’s Supper) are the two sacraments prescribed by our Lord Jesus Christ as visible symbols of invisible grace; they have been central to the Christian tradition for thousands of years. A sacrament is considered a sacred mystery instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church by which grace is given to a believer through the Holy Spirit. Sacraments are both symbolic and mysterious. They are discernible and tangible representations of both the invisible realities of the gospel and the Spirit’s application of this gospel to our lives.

Both baptism and communion are pictures of Christ’s death and resurrection and our participation in both through the union to Him in faith. As we enter into the waters, we are reminded that Christ was crucified and raised from the dead and that we, too, have died to the old self and now live for Christ.

As a symbol, baptism illustrates four significant realities:

  1. Christ’s death and resurrection
  2. The disciple’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection
  3. The new life in which a disciple walks
  4. Cleansing and washing away of sin

The symbolism of water baptism is beautifully articulated by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossian church:

For in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.  In him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. Colossians 2:9-13 NIV

The water itself is symbolic of a grave. As you are immersed under the water, we trust in the mystery of grace where our old sinful self is buried with Christ. In the same way, just as Jesus rose to life again by grace, you, too, rise from the water as a symbol of new life in Him as a brand new creation, free from the guilt of your past sin and shame. .

Are We Saved by Baptism?

Getting water baptised does not equate to being saved or result in salvation. The Bible is clear that salvation is a gift from God and is received simply through faith in Jesus. We get water baptised, not to be saved, but because we have already received the gift of salvation. Though grace is mysteriously mediated through the ordinance, it is not saving grace but sanctifying grace. We are more conformed to the image of Christ as we obey Him in the call to be baptised.

When Should I Be Baptised?

Every believer should be water baptised as a crucial part of their journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:36-38 NIV

The first step in our journey of a disciple is repentance. Simply put, we should turn from our ways to follow God's. This is a turning of heart, then followed by being baptised. 

The timing of baptism in an individual's life has been one of much theological debate. For most, the decision will be a personal choice made at an age where they understand the love, grace and forgiveness of God in a real and personal way.

How do I Get Baptised?

Though other denominations and theological traditions baptise by pouring or sprinkling, Full immersion is our preferred means of baptism where possible. Some reasons for this include:

  • The Greek word in the Bible for ‘baptism’ is Baptizo, which means to “immerse, to submerge and to overwhelm.”
  • Jesus wasn’t sprinkled or partially baptised in the Jordan River. He was baptised by full immersion and therefore, we follow His example.
  • Symbolically, having received Jesus Christ into our hearts, we are not just partially cleansed from sin, partially transformed from old to new or partially brought from death to life. Just like Jesus, who died a complete death and was fully resurrected, our baptism needs to reflect the fullness and completeness of this death and resurrection. His work on the cross wasn’t partial. It was complete. It was full. Therefore, our act of faith by full immersion in water symbolises the fullness of all that we have received.

Reflection Questions

  1. What happened on the day of Pentecost to those who believed the message Peter preached and later on to those who Philip preached to? (Acts 2:40-41, Acts 8:12)
  2. Jesus gave his disciples a great commission; what were the key things he told His disciples to do (Matthew 28:19-20)
  3. Paul compared baptism to death and burial; what do we die to before baptism? (Roman 6:1-4)