LET'S TALK ABOUT WATER BAPTISM  | FaithGod'sWay

Why Is water baptism Important and why do this if you have proclaimed your grace through faith but have not water baptized yet?  REALIZING THE NEED TO TURN is the first and foremost step to take.  Repentance means 'to turn' or to change ones mind.  You want to turn around and head the opposite way, to change what you are doing and do a 360 on that.  Not everyone immediately turns (full repentance is an already turned) but people will still access water baptism at that important time they come to Jesus not realizing the importance of the turning to understand it. Often people have done their water baptisms and then not changed their carnal ways still participating in sins and still loving their sins but this is not the way to proceed in your life if you want that close solid relationship with our Lord.

​

There a more unique and profound example however of our Lord Jesus' love for us how He can go beyond a traditional water baptism and submersion or immersion this example He gave us here was done in faith being the man on the cross that Jesus told 'today you will be in paradise with me'.  This man hanging on a cross for his crimes, had no time for water baptism but he believed and had faith that Jesus was going to his kingdom asking Jesus to remember him when he was in his kingdom.   Anyone able to complete a full water baptism should also follow through, completing and surrendering to Jesus with their own will as an adult aged willing participant should do so.  People, including myself, love(d) to complete their water baptism and it truly is a beautiful uplifting invigorating experience and is easily arranged and done even in a local pool, your church, a bathtub, a river or stream even.   Water baptism is the baptism John was doing 'before' Jesus came and even Jesus participated in Johns water baptism while he was alive.  This is so important for us evangelizing when someone is in need to come to Jesus on the spot and there is no water - 'we do not wait for water to baptize because that person could die in the next hour' so it's important to talk with the person about establishing their faith in Jesus, talk about the Gospel, about maintaining their faith till the end as spoken about in Revelation and we will recieve our crown, invite them to baptize with Holy Spirit and Fire and inform them on completing a water baptism if you were only able to complete the prayer with no water available.  Advise the necessity whenever possible and getting to know Gods word and the Gospels.  It's all about discipling and learning how to turn from sin (full repentance) about Jesus and establishing ones salvation and having Holy Spirit help that person as they move forward in their life obtaining peace and eventually helping others in turn next.

​

Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

​

Acts 19:1-41 ESV

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ...

​

Matthew 3:16-17

…"16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

​

People wonder why did I want to be water baptized when I have already proclaimed my faith?  The answer is because when I read the full New Testament, it came upon me that while I am still alive, and walking and talking on this earth and because this was an important practice recorded in all 4 gospels that I needed to lean even more into Jesus.  Scripture (Luke 23:43) tells us that the thief on the cross went to paradise in heaven with Jesus without having time to get his water baptism done.

​

Luke 23:43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

​

In accordance with faith baptism scriptures, Jesus still spoke of water baptism.  It was on my heart that as an adult, still walking, talking and living and being old enough to say with my own mouth and my own choice (not my parents opting me in but I opt myself in by submission) and because it was important to Jesus, that it should be equally important to me as well.  So it was my decision eventually as an adult to add my water baptism later in my journey with Jesus.

​

Baptism scripture talks about key points below:

​

Romans 10:9 "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

​

Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

​

Ephesians 1:22 -23 "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

​

Luke 3:26 "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

​

​

​

MORE ABOUT WATER BAPTISM

​

The baptism of Jesus was of such importance that it was recorded in all four of the gospels (Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34).

​

Within the New Testament, we find that water baptism was an important practice which Jesus commanded his disciples to perform as they went out teaching the Scriptures (Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–16).

​

It is important to realize that not only did Jesus tell the disciples to baptize people, but also He allowed Himself to be water baptized. Therefore, He set the example for us to follow (1 John 2:6).

​

​

​

WHAT IT REPRESENTS IN SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND FORMAT

​

Baptism is a symbolic act and it “symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection, and can only be done by immersion” (Bible Dictionary, “Baptism”).  Going under the water represents the death and burial of Jesus Christ, but it also represents the death of our natural selves (see Romans 6:3–6).

​

Being brought up again from the water is symbolic of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and represents being reborn as His covenant disciples. The two witnesses who stand beside the baptismal font watch to ensure that the person being baptized is completely immersed, symbolic of being completely born again.

​

​

Who May Be Baptized?

​

Anyone seeking Jesus calling on his name may be baptized and a person wants to follow through on all baptism the New Testament tells us about.

 

Baptism is a next step for any person who has not yet submitted as yet in their belief and faith in Jesus.  

 

There are different baptisms noted in the new testament.  Submitting in accordance to have made the decision (go here) to follow Jesus Christ, the believer proclaims salvation by grace through faith.  In regard to water baptism, this we must remember was John's baptism for repentance, but Jesus validated this baptism as per scripture saying it was right for them to fulfill the law.

 

Our salvation is because of the work Jesus did on and at the cross.   He provided for us through the work of our Lord Jesus upon Calvary’s cross and is received as we turn to Him by faith (John 1:12-13, 3:1-7, 16, 5:24, 6:37; Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-10).

​

However, the truly born-again believer in Christ will desire to follow the example and obey all the teachings of our Lord in baptism (Matthew 3:13-17, 28:19-20, Acts 2:38).

​

It must be understood that just a water baptism alone, is somewhat different than the baptism of which it is the blood of Christ which cleanses us from sin as we trust in Him alone for our salvation, so if you recall the other 2 men crucified along with Jesus - one of them said to Jesus (without having time to go and get a water baptism done) however those of us who fully immerse ourself in Jesus Christ, we SHOULD also immerse ourselves in a water baptism as well simply because it is specified in God's word for us to do so as well, to repent because the kingdom is at hand and God's word is good enough for me!

​

1 John 5:6, KJV: This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

​

English Standard Version

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

​

IS OUR GOD MERCIFUL YOU MAY ASK IN REGARDS TO BAPTISM? Read below and you decide for yourselves....

BY FAITH EXAMPLE (no time for physical water baptism) - YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

​

Luke 23:42-43 English Standard Version
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

​

English Standard Version
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

​

​

Notice that it's a commitment (engagement) to follow Jesus Christ till the end of your life!

​

WHERE DO YOU GET A WATER BAPTISM DONE?

​

In a bathtub, a swimming pool, a river or stream or lake, or your local church will have a baptism tank most often.  You can contact your local church or search your city, province, town, but also search online for water baptism services. Usually for Church done baptisms, you need to register online or by emailing them your wanting an official water baptism. Some churchs will ask you to attend a baptism class first and then set your appointment after that to go and get it done.