Water Baptism

What is water baptism?

After coming to faith in Jesus and repenting of one’s sins we encourage obedience to the Lord’s command of water baptism by immersion, (Matthew 28:18-19). This act declares that a believer’s old sinful life died with Christ and that a new spiritual life in Christ has been raised (Romans 6:4). A person’s life should reflect repentance and their commitment to obeying His word.

In the Scriptures we find examples of people being baptized at all hours of the night and in all places (Acts 16:32-34). Wherever enough water to immerse someone could be found. In Acts 8, the Ethiopian was on the way home to Africa after worshiping in the Temple in Jerusalem. He was baptized on the side of the road in water deep enough that he and Philip both could go down into the water (Acts 8:38).

Why should I be baptized?

A person is baptized because Jesus commands us to this. He set the example of obeying the command of baptism (Mark 1:9). He also commanded it (Matthew 28: 19-20). Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) “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.”

Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us. (Acts 2: 37-41).

 “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

 “And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them saying, Be saved from this perverse generation! So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

(Acts 2:47), “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

When is the best time to be baptized?

Anytime a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized. (Acts 8:12).

It is commanded in scripture. It is the biblical example and therefore is essential.

I was baptized as a baby, should I be baptized as an adult?

If you were baptized or sprinkled as an infant, but you’ve never been immersed as an adult, we invite you to take that next step! Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion, and Jesus was baptized by being immersed in water and rising out of it. (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). Being immersed in the water represents our death to sin and old way of life. Being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus gave us a fresh new start in life. (Romans 6: 3-5).

Do I need to be baptized again?

If you have been immersed in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19-20), after deciding to follow Jesus, there is no need to be baptized again. However, if you’ve never been baptized as an adult after choosing to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we invite you to take your next step of being baptized to fulfill and obey the scriptures concerning this teaching in the Word of God.

Do you baptize children?

As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him. At the Christian Church of Manteno, we want children to express their own decision to follow Jesus and truly understand the meaning of baptism. It is based upon their faith not anyone else’s.

One of our ministers will be glad to study with your child concerning faith, repentance, confession and being baptized. Generally, these lessons are once a week and about 20-25 minutes in length or 10 minutes plus their age.

Once I express my desire to be baptized, what happens next?

The minister or one of our teachers will study with you to affirm the Word of God in your heart, sharing or teaching why we baptize. Then your baptism will be that day or lined up as soon as possible.

(Romans 6:4), “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

How can I participate?

If you would like more information or desire to study in your home or in the building at the Christian Church of Manteno, please email our minister at: cbeatty@ccmanteno.org or call 815/468-6468