Let's Go Back to the Bible

“I want to be baptized. What do I need to know?” (Part 4 of 4)

“Look!  Water!  What prevents me from being baptized?” The man in Acts 8 was excited about the prospect of being baptized and wanted to know what stood between him and obeying what he had been taught.  From this man’s request, we learn that baptism is an integral part of the message of Jesus, and we also learn that there are some prerequisites in order for one to be a proper subject for Bible baptism and to properly obey this part of God’s plan.  In addition to the seven items already considered, one must understand:

8. The peculiarity of Bible baptism. Just because someone has had a “religious experience with water” does not necessarily mean that they have been Biblically baptized.  A baby being sprinkled is not Bible baptism (Mark 16:16).  An adult being sprinkled is not Bible baptism (Rom. 6:4).  A believer being immersed, who thinks he is already saved before baptism, is not Bible baptism (Acts 2:38).  A baptism to become part of a denomination is not Bible baptism (1 Cor. 12:13).  Bible baptism is of a peculiar individual, for a peculiar purpose, to enter a peculiar church.  Any other “baptism” cannot be reassessed and then reapplied as “Bible baptism.”

9. The urgency of baptism. If one is willing to wait for a later, better or more convenient time…  Or, if one is willing to wait until a Sunday service when the whole church is together…  Or, if one is willing to wait until some family member or friend is in town to witness the event…  Then he is not grasping the urgency and is likely not ready.  In baptism, the blood of Jesus washes away one’s sins (Acts 22:16)—those sins that separate someone from God (Isa. 59:1-2; 2 Thess. 1:8-9).  If a person decides that he “can wait” a few days or weeks or months to be baptized, then he does not realize the true nature, purpose and urgency of Bible baptism.

So, you want to be baptized?  That is so great!  Now, are you ready? Think through and answer these questions:

1. Do I understand the all-authoritative nature of Scripture?

2. Do I understand man’s desperate need for salvation?

3. Do I understand God’s full plan of salvation, which involves my open faith in Jesus and repentance from sin?

4. Do I understand the purpose of baptism in God’s plan?

5. Do I understand the unique nature of the Lord’s church and the essentiality it must have in my life?

6. Do I understand the commitment that is being made in baptism and am I ready for that commitment?

7. Do I understand that God only has one saving plan?

8. Do I understand the peculiarity of Bible baptism?

9. Do I understand the urgency of baptism?