PCIM

I've always taken baptism for granted, never giving it a lot of thought or study. Now, someone has asked me, what's the reason for it? I have three basic answers...one, it symbolizes death and resurrection with the Lord. Two, it is obedience to the Lord. Three, it's what you have to do to join a church.

This person I am talking to is genuinely seeking a closer walk with the Lord, and I feel inadequate to answer this question. Brothers and sisters, I could use some help.

Thanks!
mableloretta

Sis, do you remember Sunday when I asked Brother John to read some scripture before the baptism? That scripture was as follows:

Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Throughout this entire set of verses, the one thing that stands out to me is the desire on the newly born again eunich to be baptized. It's no doubt that he wanted to be obedient and also no doubt he knew the Lord had commanded baptism after salvation. Surely Phillip told him this. It Is Our First Act Of Obedience To The Command Of The Lord. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

And baptism isn't a form of salvation, but the outward showing of what has happened to us. Collosians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

It sounds like you have been given some good counsel on the subject. Baptism is symbolic of the death and burial of Christ, and also symbolises the death of the Old man and the making of a new one. Below is probably the very best scripture we can look to for this.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.


It also makes a person a church member. IN acts 2:41,42 we see that the people were saved, then those that were baptized were "added unto them."

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

It is also obedience to Christ, as Parson pointed out. I would argue though that the entity most often guilty of disobedience on the count of Baptism is the Church. WE want to make them into big days and bring in alot of people to witness the baptism, but our imperitive is to get converts in the water as soon as possible.

Thank you so much, Parson and Theabaud.
It seems to me (and maybe I just haven't payed much attention) that the Baptist church doesn't focus on the urgency of baptism at the time when a person is saved. I hadn't thought about that, Theabaud, but you are right. I've had some Church of Christ friends, and they want to get a person into the water immediately...but they believe baptism is essential to salvation (or so I've been told).

It is the first act of obedience, and it seems to me it is VERY important.

I will print your replies, and let this person read them. I absolutely love the story of the Ethiopian eunuch...for several reasons. I will explain the importance of obedience as best I can, and let the Holy Spirit do His job.

This person says he is afraid, that he will fall, that he won't be able to live right all the time. I tell him we all fall, but we are given forgiveness, because Jesus paid the price for our sin. I tell him, if you really desire Jesus, if you really desire His righteousness, you should step out and do it. Make your public confession of faith, and be baptised. I KNOW you will recieve confirmation from the Holy Spirit. He will amaze you. Draw close to Him, and He will draw close to you.

Thank you again (I'm excited)
mableloretta

Tell your friend we all fail but God doesn't expect us to remain in a failed state. 1st John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.