Virtually all religious denominations teach some form of baptism as part of their doctrine. The diversities in their teaching are wide. This lesson is intended to give the Bible’s clear and definitive teaching on the subject so you can understand perfectly what God’s intention is regarding baptism.

 

I.              God commands you to be baptized.

 

A.   Baptism is the first act of obedience in service to the Lord. Anyone can be baptized. It takes no special talents or effort.

B.   Jesus set the example Himself by submitting to baptism before He began His public ministry.
Matthew 3:13-17;   Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22

C.   In Matthew 3:13-15 IT IS CLEAR THAT Jesus was baptized in obedience to God’s plan. In verse 15 He said, “Suffer (allow) it to be so for now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” This point of submission and obedience is the single most important thing to realize regarding baptism.

 

D.   Some Bible characters who submitted to baptism after salvation:

1.          The Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:36-39

2.          The apostle Paul. Acts 9:18.

3.          The Philippians jailer and his house. Acts 16:25-33

 

II.            Baptism has a clear purpose

A.           Several types of baptism are mentioned in the Bible. In each case, physical baptism pictures a spiritual truth. The important point to consider is the picture portrayed by baptism.

B.           Romans 6:1-7 (specifically verses 3-4) shows the two purposes of baptism.

1.            It pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2.            It is a public testimony of the new convert’s identification with Jesus Christ through the death, burial and resurrection which is how you were saved. It identifies you with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

III.           Every believer should be baptized.

A.           The clearest case of an individual baptism in the Bible is the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39. In verse 36, the eunuch asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?”  Phillip then answered with the condition of baptism in verse 37, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Then the eunuch’s response sealed the matter, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

B.           The only requirements for baptism are the same requirements for salvation found in Romans 10:9-10:

1.            Heart belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

2.            Confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

C.           There are NO cases of baptism in the Bible of anyone but believers.

D.           Some other instances of baptism immediately after salvation include:

1.            Acts 8:12

2.            Acts 18:18

 

IV.          There is only one biblical method of baptism.

A.           Again, Acts 8:26-39 gives the clearest example. In verses 26-39, BOTH Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch went down into the water and came up out of the water.

B.           In Matthew 3:16 Jesus was baptized in the same manner.

C.            As seen previously, the key to baptism is a picture of death, burial and resurrection. The only way to bury someone is to completely cover them. The biblical method of baptism is complete immersion. No one in the Bible was ever sprinkled, just as no one is truly buried if they have only been sprinkled with dirt.

 

V.           Baptism is essential for your spiritual growth.

A.           It is NOT essential for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that a man is saved by grace through faith without works – including baptism.

B.           It IS essential for service and spiritual growth. Matthew 28:19-20 (the “Great Commission”) proves it is essential. Baptism is an integral part of the Great Commission and precedes teaching.

C.           Before anyone can be taught to follow Jesus Christ, there must be willingness to submit to the first act of obedience. If a person refuses to obey the Lord in the first point, there will be a problem in obeying any future points.
Matthew 3:13-15

 

VI.          Basic question: Where should I be baptized?

Since baptism is a public profession of your faith in Jesus Christ, most often it will be publicly in front of the local church. But it does not have to be. For instance, the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River. The actual place of baptism is not important. The public testimony of your identification with the Lord Jesus Christ is the important point.