Is Water Baptism for You?
Have you wondered about water baptism — what the significance is or how it applies to you? As we approach a special weekend here at Covenant Church that celebrates those who are taking the “plunge” to be water baptized, I’m hoping to help you understand the significance of water baptism.
Did you know the Bible teaches about three different kinds of baptisms? The word baptize means: to immerse, to cleanse by dipping or submerging. When we experience a baptism, we leave behind an old way and embrace a new way of living!
The first baptism is the baptism of salvation, which happens automatically when you accept Jesus as Savior. The moment you accept Jesus, all your sins are washed away from you, and you become immersed in God’s grace! This doesn’t mean you won’t sin again because we’re all human and will sin again (and again!), but you will no longer have to pay the eternal consequences of your sins, nor will you have to carry the guilt associated with those sins. Jesus already suffered the spiritual consequences of your sins, and with salvation, you are baptized, and reborn, into an eternal life with God!
Here are two scriptures that talk about the baptism of salvation:
1. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess with your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9–10
2. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
The second baptism is water baptism, which is the public declaration of our transfer of allegiance from the life we were leading before, to God’s Kingdom. Jesus was water baptized and is an example for us. The Bible tells us that after we place our faith in Jesus as the Messiah, we should, like Him, be water baptized. Water baptism does not have to be a one-time declaration of faith. You can be water baptized into a new season, to declare realignment with God’s purpose for you several times throughout your life.
Recently I toured Israel with a group of young adults from Covenant. We spent an afternoon at the Jordan River, where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Many of the young adults were re-baptized, and a couple of the young adults were water baptized for the first time! I decided to be baptized again, into a new season. I’ve been baptized before in my life, but stepping into a new season as the Senior Pastor of Covenant and through seeking the Holy Spirit, I knew that a special moment like this, in the Jordan River, I was called to realign and be baptized unto the purpose God has called me to.
Here are two scriptures that talk about water baptism:
1. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment Heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from Heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:16–17
2. “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3–4
The third baptism is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in Heaven right now, but He is also present with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He promised He would not leave us alone; He would send us the Holy Spirit to accompany us through life. When you receive baptism in the Holy Spirit, you receive special power from God to grow internally, and then to develop your growth through external works. Each Christian is encouraged to develop the gifts he or she receives from the Holy Spirit to help the local church, to bless others, and to influence your environment around you.
Here are two scriptures that talk about baptism in the Holy Spirit:
1. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
2. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11 (This verse is John the Baptist talking about Jesus.)
Here are some questions you may have more specifically about water baptism as we approach our worship Sunday and water baptisms. If you have any more questions, we’ll be answering them all week on Twitter; just ask your question by either DM’ing or posting your question to @covlive with the hashtag #raisedtolife. One of our leaders will be sure to respond to you! Attend service next Sunday, July 30 to worship in His presence, immerse yourself in the Word, and to either take your next step to be water baptized into a new season, or to celebrate with those who are going to be water baptized!
To sign up for baptism during Worship Sunday, click here!
Water Baptism Q&A:
Q: Why is water baptism important?
A: It’s important because Jesus himself was baptized, and He told us to do likewise: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Q: Must I be water baptized to be saved?
A: The only requirement for salvation is to accept Jesus as your Savior (Ephesians 2:8–9); however, God instituted water baptism as one way to interact with human beings in a tangible form. 1 Peter 3:21 says, “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.”
Q: Can I be water baptized more than once?
A: While many Christians feel no need to be baptized more than once, Covenant Church does not view this question legalistically. Water baptism is a God-ordained sacrament that demonstrates a spiritual rebirth. For example, some believers feel compelled to be baptized again after rededicating their lives to Jesus. This is an individual decision one should make with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Q: I was sprinkle baptized as an infant. Was that good enough?
A: Those who were baptized as infants have been obedient to Scripture. However, Covenant Church baptizes by emersion because that is how it is found in the New Testament. This practice is also going to be most meaningful to someone old enough to understand what is happening. While Covenant Church has a conviction about how to institute water baptism, we do not de-legitimize the baptism practices of other Christian churches.
