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Why is water baptism important?

We want to make sure you only get the most accurate information, so we'll answer your questions with scriptures. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 These scriptures from the Bible tell us of Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. Last instructions are oftentimes some of the most important words someone wants to communicate. Water baptism is first and foremost obedience to the command of Christ Jesus. He Himself was baptized, setting an example for us to follow. Being water baptized should be done in obedience to God’s Word. The act itself is an outward sign, or testimony, of an inward work in your life. You do something when you go down into the water that shows outwardly to other believers, and also to the world, that you are following Jesus with your life. Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:3-4 Water baptism is a living picture that you paint in your life of what Jesus did in His death, burial, and resurrection. After you have been baptized, you will be able to relate, in a sense, to what He has done for you by having symbolically done it yourself. The question is often asked, “How old should a child be before he is water baptized?” Because water baptism is symbolic of being born again, a child should thoroughly understand the New Birth before he is water baptized.

What happens when I get water baptized?

Let's look at Jesus's experience when He got baptized! After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. Matthew 3:16 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. Acts 8:38-39a For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. Romans 6:4a Webster defines bury as “to hide or cover.” Only immersion fulfills this definition. The definition of the Greek word used here (baptizo) is “to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet).” You need to be fully immersed (in water).

When is the right time?

Water baptism will propel your relationship wtih God, so we encourage you to get water baptized as soon as you accept Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior! Here is how you can do this: 1. Confess your sins. The Bible says of John the Baptist: “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins (Matthew 3:5, 6, NKJV). We need to acknowledge that we are sinners and confess our sins to God. If we do, He will forgive us (see 1 John 1:9). 2. Repent of your sins. When Peter preached to the people in Jerusalem on Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus, many of them were convicted by the Holy Spirit and asked Peter what they should do. He replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38, NKJV). 3. Believe Believe on Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior from sin. When Philip met an Ethiopian and told him about Jesus, the Ethiopian wanted to be baptized. Philip told him, “ ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ . . . . And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:37, 38, NKJV). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16, NKJV). You can do this right now! Because Jesus loves you so much, He died on the cross and made it as easy as possible to come into a relationship with Him!

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NEXT | SMALL GROUPS | SERVE | WATER BAPTISM

Your first step in connecting with your Impact Family.

NEXT guides you to discover your true purpose and live the abundant life God created for you!

IMPACT GROUPS

Impact groups are gatherings of friends who meet at different locations around Austin for 45-75 minutes to hang, eat and talk about life and the Word.