What is the meaning of Baptism

Baptisim It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.

"Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again."
--I Corinthians 15:3-4

"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." --Colossians. 2:12

Christ’s burial is similar to our lives as believers. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. –Romans 6:3-4

It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside.The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" --2 Corinthians. 5:17

"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… so also we may live a new life!" --Romans 6:4

Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." --Ephesians 2:8,9

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

Because Jesus was baptized that way.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water."
--Matthew 3:16

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

(Example) "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." --Acts 8:38-39

The word Baptize means "To dip under water".
The Greek word baptize means "to immerse or dip under water".
Going under the water and back out from it again best symbolizes a burial and resurrection!

The founders of denominations agree: Martin Luther… "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."

John Calvin… "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."

John Wesley… "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has believed in Christ.

"Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..." --Acts 2:41

"Simon himself believed and was baptized..." --Acts 8:13

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
--Acts 8:12

At Calvary Southbury, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.

Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.

This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. When it comes to babies and small children, we do baby dedications, which are corporate prayers asking God's blessing and protection upon the child, and for that child to come to know the LORD Jesus Christ at an early age and walk with Jesus throughout their life.

For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
-Acts 2:39

And He [Jesus] took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
-Mark 10:16

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
-Psalm 139:15-16

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
-3 John 1:4

I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.
-Psalm 22:10

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

As soon as you have believed.

"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" --Acts 2:41

"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn´t I be baptized right now?´ Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´ The man answered,´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him." --Acts 8:35-38

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you’ll never feel "good enough"!

CAN MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?

Yes! If each person understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.

However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family or group tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on others to join you. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.

Being Baptized means being obedient to God's word and follows with many promises of blessing from God.

Here is the commandment given by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Promises from God for obedience:

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

--Luke 6:47-48

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. --James 1:21-25

There is a weight on obedience in Scripture. As a believer in Christ not being baptized is holding back the blessing of God through obedience to His word.