The Father's House Chapel of Milton Keynes

Level 1 Lesson 8

WATER BAPTISM

Just before Jesus went back to Heaven he gave this command to His Disciples, this was a pattern that all Christians must follow after they are converted "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20). In other words Jesus wanted us first to teach them the truth of God's Word (Bible) that would bring true conviction to their heart and mind and lead them to an understanding of the necessity to follow their conversion that would lead to water baptism.
Water Baptism - Many People Ask if it's required for Salvation
Baptism isn't an act that gets us into heaven - it is faith in Jesus Christ as Savoir and Lord that offers that assurance. Baptism (by full immersion as taught in the Bible) is an act of obedience that should be an immediate part of our acceptance of the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. But it does not mean that one who truly gives their heart to Jesus on a death bed, in the heat of warfare, or in a crashing airplane, will be kept out of heaven because they failed to be baptized. The thief on the cross next to Jesus didn't have time to be baptized before he died, but he had an opportunity to believe in Jesus and put his trust in Him, and Jesus responded by saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Question: "I need to know if you have to be baptized to go to heaven. I love God and was baptized when I was seven years old. I am now eighteen years old, and someone from a non-denominational church told me that no one can be saved and baptized at such a young age. They also said that you have to be baptized to go to heaven, but my Baptist family said that you don't. I just want to go to heaven. I am living for God in every way that I can, but I need to know if I must be baptized again now that I am supposedly of age to be baptized. Please help me ASAP. God bless and thanks."

Response: Salvation and the forgiveness of sins come freely as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 10:43 states: "All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name" (New International Version). Salvation comes through faith; that is, trust and reliance upon Jesus and His shed blood to give you a right standing before God. In Acts 10:44-48, the Holy Ghost was given to the believers (confirming their salvation) before they were baptized.
Even though this is true, at other times it seems that the forgiveness of sins happened at the time of baptism (Acts 2:38). This is because baptism is an expression, or act, of faith that was carried out at the time that a person turned to Jesus in repentance and faith (Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned"). It was also a way of calling on the Lord for a clear conscience (Acts 22:16 and 1 Pet. 3:21).
If you truly turned to Jesus from your heart at the age of seven and were baptized, God accepts your childlike faith. Baptism does have requirements. One requirement is repentance. Did you have a change of heart and a change of mind that resulted in turning from sin to Jesus and His forgiveness (Acts 2:38, 20:21, and 17:30)? Did you exercise faith in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour (Mark 16:16, John 3:16, and Rom. 10:9-10)? If not, then turn to Jesus now, repent from your sins, turn to His grace to forgive you, and seal that decision to follow Him through water baptism.
Baptism is an act that expresses one's faith in Jesus. Without that faith, the act means nothing. People who turned to Jesus as Lord and Saviour were willing to express that faith and openly confess Jesus in this public way. People who say "no" to Jesus' command are showing, to some extent, a dead faith. Faith is dead when people are unwilling to express it (James 2:18-19). Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone. It is always willing to express itself. Baptism was a way of expressing that faith. Baptism is not what saves; it is Jesus. Water doesn't wash away sins; it is the blood of Jesus. But faith applies His blood to you, and sometimes that faith was expressed at the time a person was baptized (Acts 22:16). The question is, have you repented? Do you believe in Him (Jesus)? If so, why do you delay-arise and be baptized!
Discipleship Questions
1. What is the question that this young man is asking? ___________________________

2. According to Acts 10:43, salvation comes to us how? __________________________

3. Baptism is an expression of faith that usually takes place at the time of salvation. How does Acts 2:38 express this truth? ____________________________________________

4. How does Mark 16:16 express this truth? ____________________________________

5. Baptism is a way of calling upon the Lord. How does Acts 22:16 express this truth? ________________________________________________________________________

6. Baptism is a way to call upon the Lord for a clear conscience. Does 1 Peter 3:21 confirm this truth? ________________________________________________________


7. What are the requirements for baptism, according to Acts 2:38? __________________

8. What are the requirements for baptism, according to Mark 16:16? ________________

9. Can an infant repent? ___________________________________________________

10. Can an infant believe? __________________________________________________

11. Read Acts 10:43-48. What is the next step, after faith in Christ that a believer should take? ___________________________________________________________________
Scriptures to Use with Questions
Acts 10:43 - "To him give all the prophets' witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

Acts 2:38 - "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Acts 22:16 - "And now why tarries thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

1 Peter 3:21 -"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Acts 10:44-48 - "[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
Answer Key
1. What is the question that this young man is asking? If he needs to be baptized to go to heaven.

2. According to Acts 10:43, salvation comes to us how? Freely, as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Baptism is an expression of faith that usually takes place at the time of salvation. How does Acts 2:38 express this truth? Peter said to "repent and be baptized."

4. How does Mark 16:16 express this truth? Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved," implying that it can happen at the same time.

5. Baptism is a way of calling upon the Lord. How does Acts 22:16 express this truth? This scripture says that as a person calls upon the name of the Lord, their sins will be washed away. It appears that calling on the name of the Lord can be vocal (Luke 18:13) or through the act of baptism, as it appears to be in this scripture.

6. Baptism is a way to call upon the Lord for a clear conscience. Does 1 Peter 3:21 confirm this truth? Yes.

7. What are the requirements for baptism, according to Acts 2:38? Repentance.

8. What are the requirements for baptism, according to Mark 16:16? A person must believe.

9. Can an infant repent? No.

10. Can an infant believe? No.

11. Read Acts 10:43-48. What is the next step, after faith in Christ that a believer should take? Water baptism.
True faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for our sins is sufficient for salvation. Christ has already done everything. By definition, His grace doesn't require any additional "works" by us. That being said, Jesus Christ commands us to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20), and therefore, all believers should be baptized. Immediately following Christ's command, the Book of Acts describes the practice of administering baptism to almost every group or individual who believed in the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-13; 8:35-39; 9:10-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:30-33; 18:8; and 19:1-6).
Water Baptism - What does it symbolize?
According to the Bible, the symbolism of baptism declares that three things happen to believers who are baptized: (1) they die with Christ to their old self; (2) they rise with Christ to become a new creature; and (3) they are incorporated in their new life with a living community which looks for the coming of the Lord (Romans 6:1-11). Contrary to what some denominations teach, it seems obvious that a Christian's baptism must necessarily require a responsible decision to accept Jesus Christ as Savoir and Lord, and therefore, must be delayed until an age of reason or discretion (knowing right from wrong within God's perspective).
The word 'baptism' is from a Greek word meaning to dip, submerge or cleanse by washing. The word was used for dyeing cloth and involved immersion. It was also used when speaking about a ship that was sinking under the water. Christian baptism was by total immersion for those who believed and there was no long period of training before it. Water baptism is an outward sign on an inward reality. Those who trust Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as their personal friend and Saviour have been made new! Baptism is a sign of washing and letting go of the past and accepting the new life that only Christ can give by the power of His Holy Spirit.
" Please reread and meditate upon.
" It's important to get baptised after being Born Again!!
" Requirements for Baptism repentance and to believe in Jesus.
" Baptism is an outward expression of the faith in Jesus.
" Baptism is by immersion in water.

Final Thought

Jesus is reminding us of the command that he has given the body of Christ to follow, it's the blood of Jesus that makes us clean. Baptism is an outward expression of our faith in Jesus; Faith is always accompanied by Works. So if you have given your life to Jesus and are spirit filled, what is stopping you from getting Baptised, see the Pastor and he will arrange for you to be Baptised, if that's you step forward and make that decision today!!!
Jesus own Words reference baptism "You are my friends if you do whatever I command you" (John 15:14). And since Jesus issued this command, it would be wise to follow His this timely reminder and advice.

Final Prayer

Heavenly Father in the mighty name of Jesus, we come before your throne room of grace, come Holy Spirit and reveal to the hearts of your people and open up our spiritual understanding of this revelation of truth on water Baptism. Help us to draw closer to you and help us to reach the hearts of those that are not yet born again, or have given their life to Christ. Help us heavenly Father to evangelise the Gospel to those in our communities. We humbly ask that you send your Holy angels ahead of us. Give us your strength and wisdom as we prepare to go to the nations. We thank you father for we know that you are the hearer of prayer we bring this prayer to you in Jesus name amen.