The Meaning of BaptismBaptism shows our death, burial, and resurrectionwith Christ. Baptism pictures the death of the old manbefore we were saved, burial of the old life, and theresurrection of a new life to be lived for the Lord JesusChrist. Notice Romans 6:3-5 and see how God speaks ofbaptism.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized intoJesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore weare buried with him by baptism into death: that like asChrist was raised up from the dead by the glory of theFather, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Forif we have been planted together in the likeness of hisdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”

Now that you know the importance of baptism, whynot make a real commitment to follow Christ in thisgreat step.

Please present yourself as a candidate for baptism nextSunday and experience the joy of obedience to Christ.

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The Motive For Baptism

There are three basic motives for being baptized:obedience, love, and joy. After salvation God gives us awonderful command. That command is to follow Christ inbaptism. Baptism is the first step of obedience for the newbeliever in Christ. Be sure to take this blessed step ofobedience. I have never known one Christian to grow inChrist or to be blessed of God who did not obey God inbeliever’s baptism. Our first motive then is obedience toGod’s command.

The second motive is love for Jesus Christ. Lovehas no meaning unless it is put into action. In John 14:15the Bible says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Ifwe are really saved and we love the Lord, we will nothesitate to follow the Lord in baptism as soon as possibleas a proof of our love.

The third motive is for our personal benefit.The Bible records the story of the baptism of theEthiopian eunuch in Acts 8:35-39. Notice what it says:

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the samescripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they wenton their way, they came unto a certain water: and the

eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to bebaptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thineheart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believethat Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commandedthe chariot to stand still: and they went down both intothe water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptizedhim. And when they were come up out of the water, theSpirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch sawhim no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

The Method of Baptism

Baptism can only be performed in one way. In the Bibleno one was ever baptized except by immersion of thebody under water. The very word baptism literally means“to dip, to plunge, to submerge, or to immerse.” Nowherein the Bible is sprinkling of babies or adults taught. Noticehow the Bible records that Jesus was baptized by immer-sion in the River of Jordan.

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightwayout of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened untohim, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove,and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, say-ing, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Matthew 3:16-17

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

—Matthew 28:19