Baptism Class
BAPTISM: What you need to know
From the Foothills Church Doctrinal Statement:
" The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.” (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:31-34; Romans 6:1-4; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26.)
Foothills practices believer's baptism.
Read Romans 6:1-14
1. WHAT IS BELIEVER'S BAPTISM?
A. It is a public act of obedience on the part of a believer in Jesus Christ involving being immersed in water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
B. Water Baptism represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is what happens to every Christian at the moment of salvation (1 Cor 12:13; Luke 3:16; Rom 6:1-14)
C. Believer's baptism is baptizing a believer in Jesus Christ. Someone who knows Jesus as their Savior and Lord professes that faith publicly through baptism.
D. The Bible teaches that baptism should follow personal, genuine, cognitive faith. Faith is a gift of God, not a result of human effort (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 16:31-34
1) Personal faith means that one acknowledges Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of one's life. They accept God's free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, not as something they could earn or deserve or have a right to, but as what it is, a pure gift from God (John 1:12; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10). Being raised in a Christian home does not make one a Christian. Only God saves people and rescues them from Satan's power and sin's penalty (1 Cor 1:26-31; 2 Cor 4:3-6).
2) Genuine faith means faith is rooted in the heart, not just the head. Faith in Jesus is not just knowing some facts and agreeing. It also involves moving the heart to respond in repentance and change.
3) Cognitive faith means faith is also rooted in the mind, not just from the heart. Faith in Jesus is not just an emotional response. We accept Jesus because know and believe the truth about him.
E. Since the Bible teaches that baptism always follows personal faith in Jesus Christ, a person must have this faith before they are baptized. Since infants cannot have this kind of faith and the Bible does not teach or give any examples of infant baptism, we do not practice infant baptism. Children were baptized in the Bible and parents should spend time with their children to make sure they understand what true faith is.
F. Biblical examples of faith in Jesus preceding baptism:
Matthew 28:19 — Make disciples and baptize
Acts 2:38-41 — Repent and be baptized
Acts 8:34-38 — Why shouldn't I be baptized?...If you believe with all your heart, you may...I believe...and Philip baptized him
Acts 16:31-34 — Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved... immediately he and all his family were baptized
Acts 18:8 — And many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
G. A common misconception is that one needs to be baptized to go to heaven, or that baptism washes away our sin. Obviously, based upon everything that has been stated already, it is obvious that this is not true. Only Jesus can get someone to heaven. Only Jesus saves us from sin. No amount of effort or good works could ever earn salvation. Salvation in Christ is based upon the grace and mercy of God. God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve (forgiveness, acceptance, new life in Christ) and in His mercy does not give us what we do deserve (separation from God because of our sin; God's wrath against our sin).
H. In summary, baptism is an outward expression to others of our inward commitment of true faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives. It is symbolic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit which results in dying to our old-self and being raised again to new life in Christ (Rom 6:1-14).
2. WHY GET BAPTIZED?
A. Jesus Christ commanded it. (Matthew 28:19)
B. Jesus Christ and the Apostles taught and modeled it. (Acts 2:37-38; 10:44-48)
C. The Church has historically practiced believer baptism, from the book of Acts onward.
D. It represents baptism of the Holy Spirit which happened the moment we were saved.
3. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
A. Men and Women (Acts 8:12)
B. Children (Acts 2:38-41)
C. Households (Acts 16:14-15; 25-34; 1 Cor. 1:16)
These passages speak of entire households being baptized. It is important to note that infants are not mentioned and that in all cases the members of the households heard the message and believed, then they were baptized.
4. WHEN TO BE BAPTIZED.
A. Immediately after conversion (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 16:33; Acts 8:36-38)
B. Sometime after coming to faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8)
Faith should always precede baptism because faith is the only effective means of grace. (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 11:6)
5. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
A. Catholic — Baptism works in and of itself. It is an effective means of grace (salvation). Baptism washes away original sin. No faith is required. God awakens faith through baptism. Baptism is for everyone — infants, children and adults.
B. Lutheran — Baptism does not work in and of itself. It is an effective means of grace when it is mixed with faith. We are justified by faith alone, but we receive the benefits of salvation through baptism. Baptism is for believing children, believing adults and all infants.
C. Reformed/Presbyterian — God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and all his offspring. All adults who believe and their children are part of the covenant promise. Baptism is only for believing adults and their children. Baptism joins people to the promises of the covenant. It activates the covenant.
D. Free Church/Baptist/Independent — Faith is the only effective means of grace. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change and commitment. Only those who are old enough to demonstrate saving faith and who have made an expression of genuine faith can be baptized.
6. MODES OF BAPTISM (WAYS TO BE BAPTIZED).
A. Secular usage of the word "baptize”. The sinking of a ship; drowning; overwhelmed. The Greek word for baptize (βαπτίζω), means “dip.”
B. Usage of specific words for "pour" and "sprinkle".
"Rantidzo" (ῥαντίζω) = sprinkling
"Ekcheo” (ἐκχέω) = pour
These words are used in the New Testament but never in the context of baptism.
C. Examples from Scripture
John 3:23 “...because there was plenty of water,…
Mark 1:10 “As Jesus was coming up out of the water...”
Acts 8:36-39 “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water... When they came up out of the water...”
Immersion or dipping makes the most sense as the primary mode of baptism, especially in light of the purpose of baptism in the next section. However, someone who has been baptized by pouring or sprinkling should be assured that they have been baptized provided that they were baptized as believers.
7. THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM
A. To obey Jesus and follow Him.
B. To testify to others of the grace of God in our lives. Baptism is an outward expression to our family and friends of our inward commitment of true faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
C. To give a public sign of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
1. We are partakers in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12)
2. There has been a transfer of ownership of our life over to Jesus. (1 Cor 6:19-20; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Romans 10:9-10)
3. We have a deep commitment to and family bond with the Body of Christ. (Galatians 6:2; John 11:38-44)
We were not created to live life alone. We are designed to live in community. We are to carry one another's burdens. Baptism is a commitment to help one another grow in Christ. Romans 12:4-5. Purpose and meaning in life are achieved as we know God's will for our lives in the Body of Christ. Baptism acknowledges your commitment to find your place in the Body.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE BAPTISM
Baptisms will take place at Foothills Church
Schedule:
During the service, I will ask you to come forward ready to go while I give instructions and explanation about baptism.
What do I wear for my baptism?
Wear a modest one-piece swimsuit and a dark colored t-shirt if needed.
What do I bring?
Towel and change of clothes. We can provide these if you would like.
Who will baptize me?
A pastor or elder from Foothills. If you would like another believer to baptize you or participate in the baptism, discuss this with the class leader.
What else should I be prepared to do?
In the water, right before you are baptized you'll be asked two questions:
1. Do you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
2. Possibly, you can share a brief testimony of how you came to know Christ.
3. Do you wish to be baptized in obedience to Him?
Bring friends and family. THIS IS A CELEBRATION!!!
Personal Testimony Worksheet
(Acts 26: 4, 12, 19)
Section 1
Opening Sentence:
Before I received Christ I lived and thought this way:
Section 2
How I received Christ:
Section 3
After I received Christ, these changes took place:
Concluding Statement (and favorite verse):