SCRIPTURAL WATER BAPTISM

Matthew 3:17

     Our topic this evening is on “Scriptural Water Baptism” or water baptism as it is commanded and practiced in the Bible.

Water baptism takes place when a child who is born again is immersed in water in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

     Water baptism is one of the important teachings laid down by our Lord Jesus Christ. Just like any of His teachings, water baptism must be faithfully carried out by the church.

     A child becomes a friend of Jesus when he accepts and sees himself as a sinner, confesses his sins, repents of them, forsakes them and by faith accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

     Jesus Christ commanded His disciples that those who have been saved should be baptized in water. Even from our Bible passage, we saw how Jesus Christ Himself was baptized in water. So children, it is a command of our Lord Jesus Christ which all his friends must obey. It is only the children who have been saved through faith in the saving power in the blood of Jesus Christ, that are qualified for water baptism. Water baptism is not an assurance of salvation. There are many examples of those who were baptized after they were saved in the Bible. (i)Those who gladly received the word of God and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41). (ii) Believers at Samaria (Acts 8:12) (iii) The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:38). (iv) Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:18) were all baptized after conversion.

     Children, some people teach that we cannot be saved without water baptism. This is wrong. The thief on the cross was saved, but had no opportunity to be baptized in water. Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in paradise. However, it is important that once you become a friend of Jesus, you must surrender yourself for water baptism in the Bible way. Water baptism without salvation is not according to the word of God. Baptism of infants and babies is wrong. This is because a baby or an infant does not yet know the difference from his right hand and left and he cannot say sorry for his sins.

     The Bible pattern of water baptism is by immersion (dipping in water) once. It is done in the Name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost.  There are some false teachers who dip in water three times and carry it out in the Name of the Son only. This is not according to the Bible. When a child is dipped in the water, he is identifying with Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Also, it is to show everybody that he now believes in Jesus.

QUESTIONS:

1.  What is water baptism?

2.  Mention some wrong methods of carrying out water baptism.

3. Water baptism is done in the Name of _________________,         _______________________, ______________________________.

4. What does it show when you do water baptism?

MEMORY VERSE: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19).

ACTIVITY: Saved children should be identified and prepared for water baptism.