Step 2: CONSIDER BAPTISM

• What is the meaning of baptism?
  
• Why be baptized by immersion?
  
• Who should be baptized?
  
• When should I be baptized?
  
• Can my family and friends be baptized together?
  
• What should I wear when I’m baptized?
  
• Will I have anything to say?
  

What is the meaning of baptism?

It illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection.
…Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, NLT)

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. (Colossians 2:12, NLT)

It illustrates my new life as a Christian.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. (Romans 6:4, NLT)

Baptism doesn´t make you a believer - it shows that you already are a believer. Baptism does not "save" you; only faith in Jesus can do that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it´s the outward symbol of the commitment that you have already made in your heart.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8–9, NLT)

Why be baptized by immersion?

Because Jesus was baptized that way.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water… (Matthew 3:16, NLT)

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

…they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water… (Acts 8:38–39, NLT)

The founders of denominations agree:

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

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."

Who should be baptized?

Every person who has believed in Christ.

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. (Acts 2:41, NLT)

Then Simon himself believed and was baptized… (Acts 8:13, NLT)

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12, NLT)

At North Point, 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 or her 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 should I be baptized?

As soon as you have believed.

“Those who believed…were baptized… that day… (Acts 2:41, NLT)

“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:35–38, NLT)

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.