Water Baptism

"Dear Heavenly Father,

As I start to read & meditate Your Word today, I come before You with humility and a sincere desire to understand Your message. Grant me wisdom, discernment, and insight as I delve into the Scriptures. May Your Holy Spirit guide me in my reading, illuminating the truths You wish me to grasp. Help me to apply what I learn to my life, so that I may grow in faith and obedience to Your will. Thank You for the privilege of studying Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen."

• Matthew 28:19-20

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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The command to "make disciples," which involves calling individuals to commit to Jesus as Master and Lord, highlights the main focus of the Great Commission. The Greek usage for "go," "baptizing," and "teaching" (Matthew 8:20) delineate different aspects of the process. The scope of this commission encompasses all nations. Jesus' ministry in Israel marks the starting point for the eventual proclamation of the gospel to people worldwide, including both Jews and Gentiles. The singular mention of the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit hints at the early recognition of the Trinitarian Godhead and openly declares Jesus' divinity.

Teaching serves as a means for the ongoing transformation of Jesus' disciples, enabling them to grow more like Christ (compare Matthew 10:24–25; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The instruction to observe and obey concludes the commission, emphasizing Jesus' continual presence with his disciples. This presence, highlighted by the phrase "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), remains the crucial aspect of discipleship as Jesus concludes the Great Commission and Matthew concludes the Gospel.

• Acts 2:38-41

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

To achieve salvation, it's essential to both repent and be baptized. This indicates that faith in Christ as Savior is fundamental, as belief is implied in the call to repent and in being baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins." Choosing baptism outwardly demonstrates an inward trust in Christ (compare 1 Peter 3:21). The essence of the gospel can be expressed in various ways. Sometimes, salvation is linked solely to faith (see references like John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8–9), other times, repentance alone is emphasized (Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:10), and sometimes, both are stressed (Acts 20:21). Authentic faith naturally entails repentance, and vice versa. Repentance involves a change of mindset that leads to trusting God (that is, having faith). For more on repentance, see explanations on Matthew 3:2 and Matthew 3:5–6. When referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit, it's not about specific spiritual abilities as seen in 1 Corinthians 12–14, but rather about the Spirit himself, who comes to dwell within believers.

• Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The phrase "One Lord" signifies Jesus Christ. "One faith" denotes the doctrinal truths commonly professed by Christians. The mention of "One Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4), "One Lord [Christ]" (Ephesians 4:5), and "One God and Father" (Ephesians 4:6) together forms a Trinitarian statement. The phrase "One baptism" has sparked debates among Christians since the early days of the church. However, in this context, it could refer to the baptism of all believers into one body (as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:13), which results from the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit upon genuine belief in Christ. According to this interpretation, water baptism serves as an outward symbol of the inward reality of believers being united with Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (compare John 3:5, 8; Titus 3:5). This understanding underscores the profound spiritual unity among all genuine believers who are "in Christ" (see John 17:21, 23), grounded in their shared "one faith" in "one Lord," irrespective of denominational distinctions. Alternatively, some argue that "one baptism" here refers specifically to water baptism but may differ on the appropriate mode of baptism.

• Galatians 3:27

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Paul introduces two additional metaphors to describe the significance of entering into the new era alongside sonship (Galatians 3:26). Through baptism, believers symbolically undergo a death to the old era governed by law, sin, and death, and emerge from the water as participants in the new creation (Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 2:19; Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). "Putting on Christ" employs imagery akin to clothing, signifying the adoption of a new life and purpose by being spiritually united with Christ.

• Romans 6:1-4

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 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.

Paul is likely addressing a common inquiry posed by his Jewish adversaries. Their intention wasn't to find an excuse for sinning, although throughout history, some individuals have misinterpreted Paul's message of grace to justify sinful behavior. 

When individuals were baptized into Christ, they symbolically died to sin. Paul isn't suggesting that baptism miraculously eradicates the power of sin. Rather, baptism serves as an outward, tangible representation of the inward, spiritual transformation experienced by Christians.

Baptism illustrates a person's burial with Christ (submersion beneath water) and subsequent resurrection to new life with Christ (emergence from water). This symbolism signifies the individual's union with and incorporation into Christ, facilitated by the work of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, believers now possess the ability to live in accordance with this new life.

If you decided to take Water Baptism as per the Word of God, share your decision with a Christian friend or pastor. If you are not already attending church, we welcome you to worship with us and grow in your faith. Following Christ's example, ask to be baptized by immersion as a public expression of your faith.

God Bless you!