What Is Baptism?

To know what Baptism means sounds easy. It’s when you get dunked in a river right? Well maybe you get sprinkled or water poured on your head but basically it means you get wet, right? Oh, don’t forget the baptism clothes and baptism cake. There’s a lot more to baptism than just getting wet and a baptism gift. The following article is full of information on baptism and will help shed some light on baptism.

Things You’ll Need:
A Bible
A Desire To Be Saved
An Open Heart

Shall we gather at the river?

Step 1
Baptism is explained in several places and by several people in the Bible. There are several different ways to be baptized.
1. You can be sprinkled – this is where the pastor/priest/etc. sprinkles water over your head after you make your outward declaration of faith. The church also promises to help you with your walk.
2. You can have water poured over your head – this is where the pastor/priest/etc. pours water over your head with a pitcher after you make your outward declaration of faith. The church also promises to help you with your walk.
3. You can be dunked in a Baptismal Tub/Pool – this is where the pastor/priest/etc. has you stand or kneel in the tub/pool and then they dunk your head under the water after you make your outward declaration of faith. The church also promises to help you with your walk.
4. You can be dunked in a river – this is where the pastor/priest/etc. has you stand in the river and then they dunk your head under the water after you make your outward declaration of faith. The church also promises to help you with your walk.
* The last two are called baptism by immersion.
Step 2
There are two different types of baptism.
1. When a person wants to be Baptized, they are publicly declaring their faith. This is their decision. They take some type of class to learn more about baptism and they make an informed decision to be baptized. When they are baptized in a baptism service, they are asked baptism questions and then they make a promise to live a Christian life to the best of their ability with God’s help.
2. A parent, grandparent or guardian can request their child be baptized. This baptism is where the parent, grandparent or guardian promises to raise the child in church and the parent, grandparent or guardian will live a good Christian life and that their life will be one that the child imitates. This is usually an infant baptism.
Step 3
MORE INFORMATION ON BAPTISM:
1. Many people choose to be re-baptized once they become an adult after being baptized as a baby or small child. They want to show their commitment and faith. The first baptism is the adults commitment.
2. Most Christians believe that one baptism is all anyone needs. Even when the child was baptized because of the adults faith. Others believe you are just getting wet if the commitment and faith isn’t from the one getting baptized.
3. Some Christians believe that being baptized more than once, is wrong. They feel you are saying God’s grace wasn’t enough the first time around.
* Whatever you believe is between you and God. Don’t let anyone tell you one way is right and the others are wrong. You need to listen to what God is telling you.
Step 4
JOHN THE BAPTIST ~ Mark 1:4-8
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River…and this was his message: After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Step 5
JESUS ~ John 3:5-8
Jesus answered, I TELL YOU THE TRUTH< NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNLESS HE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT. FLESH GIVES BIRTH TO FLESH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO SPIRIT. YOU SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED AT MY SAYING, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. THE WIND BLOWS WHEREVER IT PLEASES. YOU HEAR ITS SOUND, BUT YOU CANNOT TELL WHERE IT COMES FROM OR WHERE IT IS GOING. SO IT IS WITH EVERYONE BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
Step 6
PETER ~ Acts 2:38
Peter replied, REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERY ONE OF YOU, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Step 7
PHILLIP ~ Acts 8:36-39
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, LOOK, HERE IS WATER. WHY SHOULDN’T I BE BAPTIZED? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Step 8
MORE SCRIPTURE ~
1. Galatians 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
2. Colossians 2:9-12 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
3. 1 Peter 3:20-22 …In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

*Remember: Baptism is a personal decision that you should make after much prayer and it is a commitment from you to God. Everyone has their own opinion on the right and wrong way to be baptized. Only you know what it the right way for you show your faith and devotion to Christ.