Baptisms

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WATER BAPTISM

Scriptures
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures,
Romans 6:3-4
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12-14
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith
in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in
your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having
forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its
legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Mark 1:9-10
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10
And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and
the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Acts 2:41
41 So those who received his word were baptized,
Matthew 28:19
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

What is baptism?
Water baptism is a wonderful visible rite given to mark our salvation, and our initiation into the
worldwide church, and as such it is one of the things we celebrate most at OneTribe.
Water baptism assists and reinforces our understanding of the Gospel. The physical reality of
going completely under water and then being raised up represents how we were once dead, but
now we have been raised with Christ to new life.
It is also a powerful visual witness to others by being a public declaration of our faith, both to
believers and unbelievers.

Do I have to get baptised?
Baptism does not make you a Christian, it does not get you into heaven and it does not save
you. The Bible is clear that we are saved through belief in God’s grace, not through any good
works or rituals that we do.
There are also examples in scripture, such as the criminal on the cross next to Jesus who was
accepted into paradise, even though he was not baptized (Lk 23:43).
However, baptism is not optional for Christians, it is a normal outworking of salvation. Jesus
commanded it in Matthew 28:19 and was baptised himself, so it would be strange not to follow
the example set by Christ.

What if you were baptised as a baby? We would say – be baptised as a believer .
Usually there are historical and emotional reasons why people who have been baptized as
babies do not want to entertain the thought that they were actually doing something that wasn’t
biblical. Often well-meaning parents baptised their children out of either (a) obedience to the
traditions of their church but without properly checking the scriptures, or (b) to clear their
conscience that this ritual somehow will assist their children in their salvation, whether directly
or indirectly.
However, there just doesn’t seem to be any biblical evidence to support getting baptised before
you actually believe. On the contrary, the bible is clear that baptism should follow repentance.

How does Baptism happen?
With lots of water: The Greek word baptizo means, “to plunge, dip, immerse.”
With lots of people watching: Most of the biblical accounts of baptism occur in public places.
You will want to do it with a variety of believers and unbelievers watching.
Who actually does the baptising? Usually church leaders (elders, pastors or Small Group
leaders) do it, although it can be appropriate for a believing friend or family member to do the
baptising. Or, why not involve the person who played the biggest role in your journey to faith,
rather like Philip was with his Ethiopian convert (Acts 8:38)?

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