There are two sacraments (holy rituals) in the Bible which Christians are instructed to practice and observe, the Lord’s Supper or Communion, and Water Baptism.
The purpose of each is to signify through outward symbolism what Christ has accomplished in a believer’s life through faith in Christ. As true believers, we are both instructed and commanded to submit to each as expressions of our faith in Christ.
In what has become known as the "Great Commission", Jesus gave the following command: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(Mat 28:19-20)
The word "baptize",taken from the Greek word BAPTIZO, has a fourfold meaning:
- To immerse or submerge;
- To overflow or cover with water;
- To wet thoroughly or moisten; and
- To pour upon or drench.
Three methods of baptism have developed over the centuries because of the wide scope of this definition and differing views on the word’s usage in the New Testament:
- Immersion, wherein a person is completely lowered under the water;
- Pouring, where water is ladled or poured over the person’s head arid body; and
- Sprinkling, in which the person is lightly sprinkled.
Unfortunately, these differences have often led to a great deal of controversy among God’s people over the years. Each has value in testifying to differing benefits derived from a relationship with Christ.
Immersion portrays the atoning death of Christ and gives witness to the reality of His bodily resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). Pouring signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believer’s life when he/she commits their life to Christ (Acts 2:17-18). Sprinkling tells us that we are washed from our sins only by the shed blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:19.22).
Why do you need to be Baptised?
1. Act of Obedience
Throughout the New Testament, water baptism was practiced following conversion in direct response to Jesus’ command that Christians everywhere are to "preach", and then "baptize" those who believe. Therefore, everyone who becomes a Christian needs to be baptized in obedience to God.
2. Statement of Faith
As mentioned earlier, water baptism is an outward statement of one’s belief in Christ’s atonemert for our sins, the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit to guide an influence our lives, and the only means for gaininng a clear, guiltfree conscience toward God. Baptism is a means of making a public statement of your faith.
3. Public Testimony
Baptism was practiced publicly in the New Testament as a powerful and meaninful fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." (Mat 10:32). Those who are publicly baptized "acknowledge before men" their life’s commitment to Him as their Saviour and Lord.
What Baptism Cannot Do
1. Baptism Cannot Save
Salvation comes through faith alone, not works (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, the act of baptism cannot save us. Rather, it gives evidence through public action that a person has already been saved.
2. Baptism Cannot Cleanse From Sin
Forgiveness of sins takes place when we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead, and ask Him to become our Saviour and cleanse us from our sins (1 John 1:9). Baptism may be symbolic of our cleansing but the water itself is powerless to cleanse from sin.
3. Baptism Cannot Magically Free Us From Sinful Habits
Self control, moral purity, holiness and other such marks of a changed life are all benefits of receiving Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to influence and change us. Baptism should reflect a statement on our part to live a life free of such controlling passions. Baptism alone will not magically or automatically free us from these things, although it indicates to others your willingness to submit to the process of spiritual growth and change through the power of the Holy Spirit.
