BAPTISM FAQ’s

At New Life baptism is a very special event. It isn’t an empty ritual or theological hoop to jump through. It’s a spiritual event that holds great significance. It’s one of the major mile markers in our spiritual journey. And it’s an act that symbolizes and empowers spiritual realities in our lives.
What follows are the most frequently asked questions about baptism, and the answers to them from the Bible. Having a proper understanding will help you experience the full significance of your baptism.

Why Should I Be Baptized?
To obey Jesus. – This is probably the simplest and best answer. Baptism isn’t some church, pastor or theologian’s idea. It came straight from Jesus Himself. And since, as Christians, we are His followers, we do what He desires.
Jesus said to His followers…“Go to people of all nations and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (CEV)
To follow the example set by Jesus. – Because He was the Son of God, Jesus needed no symbols to help convey the spiritual realities in His life. Yet, He chose to be baptized because He would never ask us to do something He hadn’t already done Himself.
Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John didn’t want to baptize Him...But Jesus said, “It must be done, because we must do everything that is right.” Matthew 3:13-15 (NLT)

What Is Baptism Connected With In The Bible?
Baptism is a public declaration of our decision to follow Jesus. – It makes a statement not only to people, but to God Himself. Through baptism we make an open declare that we believe Jesus’ death paid the penalty for our sins, and have decided to accept God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life. It our initial response to God as a believer.
When they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized. Acts 8:12 (NIV)
Baptism is a symbol of our new birth as a Christian. – Becoming a follower of Jesus doesn’t just change what we do with our Sunday mornings. It changes the nature of our heart, soul and spirit. It is like being born again…like becoming a brand new person.
The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 (NLT)
Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Baptism is connected with our membership in God’s church. – The Bible calls the church the body of Christ, and it refers to every Christian as a member (eye, ear, foot, etc.) of it. Baptism marks our official entrance into the church.
We have been baptized into Christ’s body (the church). 1 Corinthians 12:13 (TLB)
Baptism marks the entrance of God’s Spirit into our hearts. – Before we are believers the Holy Spirit works on us, but after we become believers He lives and works in us. His role in an unbeliever’s life is primarily conviction, but in a believer it is companionship and instruction. Baptism marks that change.
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8 (NIV)
Your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and he lives within you.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (TLB)
Each one of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
Baptism is associated with our cleansing from sin. – One of the principle benefits of becoming a child of God is the forgiveness of our sins. When we become a Christian the heaviness of guilt is removed as our sins are washed away. Baptism pictures for us that cleansing.
Why wait any longer? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away. Acts 22:16 (NCV)
Baptism helps us experience a clear conscience. – Since baptism is connected with our cleansing from sin, it is not surprising that it is also associated with having a clear conscience.
Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. 1 Peter 3:21 (NLT)
Baptism is connected with our personal victory over the practice of sin. – Unbelievers live in bondage to sin, but believers experience freedom in Jesus. He didn’t die just so we could be forgiven. He also died so we could be set free from the destructive power of sin in our lives. Baptism symbolizes the “death” of sin in our lives and the “resurrection” to a new life of righteousness.
Sin's power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy. Romans 6:2-4 (TLB)

Why Should I Be Baptized By Immersion?
Because Jesus was baptized by immersion. – Although well-meaning theologians argue about whether the form (immersion, sprinkling, etc.) of baptism makes a difference to God, at New Life we have opted for a simpler and less controversial solution. We choose to baptize people using the form that Jesus used.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water. Matthew 3:16 (NCV)
Because the baptisms in the Bible were done by immersion. – Not all the individual baptisms recorded in the Bible can be listed here, but consider the following example of John. Because he was baptizing people by immersion, he was forced to find a deep place in the Jordan River.
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. John 3:23 (NIV)
Because baptism is meant to portray a burial and resurrection. – The Bible says that baptism is a symbolic picture of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Baptism by immersion provides the best picture of that process in our lives.
In baptism you see how your old evil nature died with Him and was buried; and then you came up out of death with Him into a new life. Colossians 2:12 (TLB)

Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who chooses to believe in Jesus. – Jesus’ desire was that baptism would be our initial response of faith. In fact, He envisioned them happening in the same time frame. As He commissioned His followers to carry His message of salvation to the world, He gave them these instructions:
Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)

When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as I have believed. – Since baptism is our intial response of faith to God, people in the bible were baptized immediately. At New Life, we choose to continue that same practice.
Those who accepted his message were baptized...that day. Acts 2:41 (NIV)

Important Notes
Don’t delay. — As soon as you have decided to become a Christ-Follower, you can and should be baptized. Delaying your baptism to wait for family or friends often puts undue pressure on them. Baptism is a personal act of faith, not a family tradition.
Believers only. — At New Life, we wait until children are old enough to be believers before we baptize them. Though other churches practice various forms of Infant Baptism, we believe that the immersion of believers best represents Jesus’ intention for baptism.

Final Thought
The answers given above reflect our practices at New Life, and are not intended to cast doubt on the salvation of those who share a slightly different understanding of baptism or have been baptized by a form other than immersion. We simply encourage every believer to follow the example and teachings of Jesus in every way possible. If you are considering baptism, we invite you to attend one of our baptismal preparation classes. A schedule can be obtained through our office at 707-765-0956.