So… This week we answered a very big question, “What happens when you get saved?” You can listen to the answer here… Click Here.
Now… We want to begin to answer the question… What happens after I’m saved?
The first command we are given after we choose to become a follower of Jesus is to be baptized. You may have figured I was headed to that topic. Baptism leads us to many questions. Let’s try to tackle some of them. For all the things we don’t understand about baptism… there are many important things we do understand. Here are some frequently asked questions:
What is baptism?
The Greek word (Greek was the original language of the New Testament) for baptism literally means “to dip under” or “immerse in water”; therefore, baptism is dipping a person under water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
What did Jesus think about baptism? Mark 1:9-10, Matthew 28:19-20
Great question! Jesus lived a sinless life in order that He might pay the price for our mistakes. His sinless life can also serve as an example for us to model (that is why we use the phrase, Christ-followers because we are following His way). Jesus was baptized and thus He set an example for us (Mark 1:9-10). And Jesus commanded us to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20).
What does baptism mean? Romans 6:1-12
For all the things we don’t know about baptism, we at least know it is a wonderful picture of the work God is doing to change us from the inside out as we die to our old self and old ways, then God is working in us to make our lives new.
This passage also reminds us baptism is a wonderful picture of what Christ did for us as He died on the cross, was in a tomb for three days and then defeated death and was alive again. He did all of that so we could connect with God forever. Baptism is also a reminder and picture of what Christ did for us.
Who should be baptized? Acts 8:12
The kind of baptism we are talking about is the baptism discussed in scripture, a believer’s baptism. Anyone who believes in Jesus is ready to be baptized. Since belief is personal (something you must choose for yourself), baptism is personal (something you choose for yourself).
When should someone be baptized? Acts 18:8
The Bible reveals that baptism happened for individuals after they believed (rather than before). This form of New Testament baptism is what Jesus was referring to… it is a believers baptism. This means as long as you are a believer, a follower of Christ, you are ready to be baptized. The sooner, the better… since Christ commanded us to be baptized we should take that step as soon as possible. To put it off or to refuse to be baptized means we are not following Christ and we are being rebellious, disobedient. So…. no need to wait.
Please understand that Believers Baptism as described in the Bible is not the same thing that many have experienced as an infant in many denominations. Believers baptism is a cognizant step of the individual being baptized (this is something an infant can’t do). So… if you are ready… let’s do it.
How does Stuttgart Harvest Church baptize? (See the verses below for this too.)
We schedule baptisms with individuals and families. Sometimes we baptize at the lake, in swimming pools or even large hot tubs. All you need is a change of clothes and a towel. At Stuttgart Harvest Church, we dip the person completely under water for several reasons. First, the actual word means “to submerge in water.” Secondly, it best pictures the death (going down into the water), burial (going under water) and resurrection of Jesus (coming up out of the water). And lastly, it best pictures us dying to our old life and Christ bringing us back up alive. Because of the definition of the word during biblical times and the pictures baptism represents, we believe people were submerged in water for baptisms during New Testament times.
I have been part of baptisms in many places… swimming pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes… We simply find a place appropriate to the season of the year. You just wear shorts & a T-shirt or a swimming suit & T-shirt, bring a towel and dry clothes and you are ready to go.
Here are a few questions for you…
Are you a follower of Christ?
If you are a follower, have you been baptized since you decided to follow Christ?
Our next baptism is not too far off… do you want to participate?
Let me know what you think.
For more info on Baptism… listen to this.
Mark 1:9-10 (NLT)
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Romans 6:1-12 (NLT)
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?
4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. 12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
Acts 8:12 (NLT)
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
Acts 18:8 (NLT)
8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
