WATER BAPTISM IV. Should babies be baptized?

Salvation Series: Lesson 12

I. WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?
“19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19
Jesus Christ mandated his followers to make disciples and baptize them in
water. Water baptism is a commandment of God to all who believe in Him.
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF WATER BAPTISM?
The word “baptism” in Greek means “to immerse” in the English language.
So water baptism means immersion in water.
No. Water baptism is only for those who already understand what it
means. The bible does not mention any infant being baptized. Instead,
babies are to be dedicated, just like the dedication of Jesus Christ in the
temple when he was only eight days old.
“21
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named
Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
22
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had
been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to
the Lord”
Luke 2: 21-22
V. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER BAPTISM?

III. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER BAPTISM TO OUR CHRISTIAN A. Repentance from sin
WALK?
“3
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were “38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead the Holy Spirit.”
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Acts 2:38
Romans 6:3-4
*Water baptism symbolizes our union with Christ’s death, burial and B. Faith in Christ
resurrection. When we submerge in water, we also “bury” our old self. On
the other hand, when we surface from the water, we also “resurrect” with “16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
Christ into the new life He has for us (Read). believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:16
“12
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through
your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13When you
were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, [a] C. Commitment to Christ
God made you[b] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,”
Colossians 2:12-13 “19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19
*When we have repented, believed and followed Christ, then we can be
water baptized.
VI. CAN WATER BAPTISM SAVE US?
No. Salvation can only be achieved through our faith in Jesus Christ (Acts
16:31). Salvation is God’s gift, and it cannot be obtained through good
works such as water baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9).
VIII. IN WHOSE NAME ARE WE BAPTIZED?
Jesus Christ commanded us to be baptized in the name of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit.
“19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19

There are people in the bible who were already saved even before they got
baptized in water. Examples are Zacchaeus who was a cheater was instantly
saved because of his repentant heart (Luke 19:8-10), and the thief crucified
together with Christ received eternal life because he believed that Jesus is
the Messiah (Luke 23:40-43).
Water baptism cannot save, but it is a fruit or a result of our salvation.
IX. WHEN SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
When we have already understood what it means, it is time to be baptized.
When we are willing to bury our old self and live a new life in Jesus Christ,
we are ready for this baptism. If we sin after we are baptized, we must
remember that “we are dead in sin and are new creations in Christ Jesus.”

VII. WHY DO WE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED? APPLICATION:

There are three answers to this question: 1. Why should not infants be baptized in water?

1. To obey God’s command- water baptism is a commandment to all 2. Should we be “perfect” or sinless first before we undergo water
believers (Matthew 28:19) baptism?

2. To show our faith- water baptism is our seal as believers in Christ 3. Are you ready to follow God’s command of water baptism?
(Mark 16:16). If we have faith, then we should be baptized (Acts
8:12-13). Just as faith without works is dead (James 2:26), so is
faith without obedience to the commandment of water baptism.

3. To fully follow Christ-Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in

obedience to all the Father had commanded of Him (Matthew
3:13-15). Jesus sets an example for us to follow.