Find Out Your Purpose in Life, Pt. 7: Baptism is for Believers

By Zach3000, 15th Feb 2012 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/1d9gx8i9/
Posted in Wikinut>Family>Religion

The Christian practice of Baptism is a widespread practice among churches all over the world. However, there are different views on what baptism means and when it should be performed. Find out what the Bible says on the subject.

This Article Builds Upon Another
What is Baptism?
Difference of Opinion on Baptism
Let's Sum Up the Points
Previous Articles in This Series

This Article Builds Upon Another

Building blocks

If you are starting here, please note that this article falls sequentially in the series, Find Out Your Purpose in Life. Consider starting from the beginning of the series, here.

What is Baptism?

Representation of Jesus emerging from the river

Baptism is a very important practice among Christians, because it is an outward act of obedience as a follower of Christ. Baptism is a symbolic act of dying to one's self, just as Christ died for our sins, and was raised to walk in newness of life. This practice is also a demonstration of one being a faithful follower of God by doing as instructed in the Bible, after a profession of faith.

In fact, it is so important that God Himself was baptized, when he was on the Earth as the Lord Jesus Christ. This was one of many things Jesus did, that was recorded in the Bible, so that the Christian could follow and do as the Master did.

Jesus' baptism was recorded in the gospels. This is how it is recorded in Matthew 3:13-17:

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' "

Difference of Opinion on Baptism

Differing opinions shown by pointing fingers

Among the different denominations of Christians, some have differing views on baptism, and when it should be practiced.

For Presbyterians, Methodists, and many Calvinists (see previous article - here), they believe it is okay to baptize one after birth, as a promise to raise a child among a congregation of believers.

While the idea of a church committing to raise a child up as a community of believers is not a bad thing - this practice of infant baptism is done premature to salvation. As many put it, the baptism was done "on the wrong side" of salvation.

Author's note: I was personally baptized as an infant in the Presbyterian church, and see it almost as an annointing by a pastor and congregation, but is not the same thing as baptism in the Bible. I understand that now, as I was also baptized after salvation, which prompted spiritual growth after being obedient to the Lord, Jesus Christ.

In fact, the Anabaptists were 16th Century Protestant Christians in Europe, who re-baptized converts who had already been baptized as infants. Anabaptisma is derived from Latin, which means "one who baptizes over again."

Baptism done correctly, is performed after one trusts in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and has publicly professed one's faith. Then, going through with Baptism shows one's obedience as well as dying to the old self, and starting out as a new creation in Christ.

It is very important to note here that Baptism does not provide salvation. Some people are unable to get baptized before leaving the Earth, and they are not penalized if they do not get baptized. If you are willing and able, it is a great thing that will propel your walk with the Lord, but not required, to enter the Kingdom of God.

Let's Sum Up the Points

Stephen Baldwin baptizes Spencer Pratt

Before you think you are too big for baptism, even adult celebrities have practiced it on national television.

As seen on reality television, celebrity Stephen Baldwin baptized new Christian, Spencer Pratt, while taping of the show, I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! This show was taped in a jungle-region, and there was nothing special about the river in which it was performed. (See picture above.)

To sum up what we have discovered, Baptism is:

An outward obedience displayed what God has done internally
Is a public display of one being faithful to the Lord, Jesus Christ
Is submersion under the water, rather than a sprinkling
Is not required for salvation

To put it simply, Baptism is only a quick dip under the water, but is an incredible spiritual blessing to the Christian believer, as he moves forward in his faith. Once you have gone through with it, you will never regret this milestone in your life.