Baptism
Baptism is from the Greek word "baptizo", from the root word "bapto", meaning "to dip”, its not sprinkling, or getting wet by any other means, but to be immersed, submerged in water.
Baptism is a commandment and commission from Jesus to his disciples, after he was crucified, died, buried and was resurrected Jesus taught his disciples the action: Mark 16:15-16 Jesus said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. All that believes and is baptized shall be saved
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Who is Baptized
Everyone, who is part of the Kingdom is baptized, and to show the importance, even Jesus himself came to John for a Baptism to show humanity a template. John, was shocked– Mathew 3:14-18 John he says to Jesus, “I am supposed to be baptized by you”, but Jesus responds “Let it be for, this fulfills righteousness”.
Righteousness means – to be right with God, or that which is required according to God's standard.
The Bible teaches us that we died to self when we were saved. The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5). We died to sin and have become partakers of the righteousness (Romans 6:7, 18, 20). God now made us a new creation (Galatians 6:15). We are a new self (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). Anyone who wants to see the Kingdom of God and Partake of it, needs to be baptized. (John 3:5-6)
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Why Baptism
All who are believers realizes that we need saving from sin and require God's grace. They repent of their sins, and go under the water in baptism signifying death to an old way of life. The old self that is now dead, needs to be buried. They come up out of the water to a new life, showing new birth in the Lord. In baptism, believers identify with the death of Jesus Christ, who died for us. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, they also rise from the waters of baptism to "set out on a new life"
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
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New Birth
A learned teacher came to Jesus, and asked about the Kingdom of God. John 3:3 – Jesus replies, unless man is born again (repent, come back to senses, looks for a savior for to be saved), he cannot see the Kingdom. John 3:5-6 – Jesus answers, that unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Colossians 2:12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him (Jesus) from the dead.
To create some parallel: In most countries – if somebody wants to be a citizen of a country need to renounce their affiliation with the country of birth, and take on new identity in oath to take on this new citizenship. Alternately, if you are born in a country, he/she automatically becomes a citizen of that country. With baptism the believer is doing both.
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household
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Sonship (Sons and Daughters of God)
We become sons and daughters, and receive the position (sonship) with the Father (God); that is heir to everything that God the Father has is ours now though Jesus Christ our Lord as He has now given us the spirit of adoption into the Kingdom. Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Baptism also gives us a new conscience, I Peter 3:21 - baptism, which now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, all things become new.
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Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." In the book of Acts, there are instances after instances, that the disciples when preached, whoever received the word, and wanted to get baptized, were all baptized. (Act 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36, Acts 9:18, Acts 10:47, Acts 16:15, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16). The disciples spoke about baptism, and we speak about it too. All who believed be baptized - wash away your sins, call on His name.