Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

In my view, water baptism is the public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ and our solemn commitment to follow him as a member of the Christian church, the body of Christ on earth. 

This baptism provides an outward sign and symbol of the inward spiritual transformation that happens when we are born again.

Romans 6:3-14
"Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Colossians 2:9-15
"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. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

At our baptism God is pleased to fill us with his Holy Spirit. Jesus modelled what happens at his own baptism (Matthew 3:13-17).

We too hear these words from our Father in heaven when we are baptised:

"This is my adopted Son / Daughter, whom I love; with him / her I am well pleased." 

At Jesus transfiguration, God added these words "Listen to Him". God expects the whole world to listen to us. To hear the gospel message, to hear the Word of our Testimony, to witness our transformed life. And it all begins at our believer's Baptism.

January 25 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Darlene Gillespie Supporter

My belief on baptim is that being submersed in water represents Christ’s death and burial. Being brought back up from submersion represents Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Baptism means that you recognize that you are saved by grace, through faith that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead for your sins. Amen!

January 30 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Robert DAVIS Supporter

This is a hot potato! I became a believer after being given a bible at a party. I married the giver, who had been baptised as a baby.

Almost at once, we moved to be near her family as her father was dying. At that time the bible became very important to me and, to my surprise, I was given the gift of tongues. (Although I try to keep this private) 

We moved to a village which had only a Baptist church. I saw several baptisms and deduced (rightly or wrongly) that this made no difference to the person, except they became a member of that church. Hence I shied away from this.

We then moved to a Lutheran area. When our eldest child came to confirmation age, the priest said he HAD to be baptised (by watering the head). I considered the whole thing (with confirmation and this baptism) was hypocrisy and had a long discussion with the priest. It appeared he truly believed that baptism was necessary for all righteousness - as Jesus had said. So I allowed myself to be baptised, somewhat reluctantly, and this was done in private. I have since wondered why I did this? 

One way or the other, I believe that God is great enough to accept me by the blood of the lamb, His Son Jesus. And that is enough. To Him be the glory, for ever and ever.

The enemy is on the march, he knows his time is short. But the Game-Master has his finger on the Game Over button. He is Lord of all. Amen.

February 01 2021 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

It declares our allegiance to Jesus. (Acts 8:35-39)

It depicts our change; it is our method of affirming to others what has happened to us. (Romans 6:2-7)

It is an order from God that we should comply with. (Matthew 28:18-20)

February 06 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

Baptism is just a public confession that a person has accepted the free gift of eternal life. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, and we all sin, First John 1:8, and we all die, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how He said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit. 

When a person believes the gospel, First Corinthians 15:1-4, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13-14 Justified by faith in the gospel. In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after ye believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit in whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. The rapture of the church. 

So the second we believe on Jesus alone apart from any works, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit who is our guarantee of eternal life. Romans 4:5 Faith alone apart from works. No commitment from us. The GIFT of God is eternal life. 

Romans 4:6-8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness to us apart from works. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Jesus paid our sin debt, past, present, and future sins so we can never be condemned again. John 3:18.

So it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that seals us to be raised at the resurrection to be conformed to the image of Jesus at that time.

April 23 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report