Baptism-Raised to New Life

The Christian rite of initiation practiced by nearly all who profess to embrace the Christian faith. There are five important issues about baptism:

(1) the meaning of the ordinance

(2) the appropriate candidate for baptism

(3) the proper mode of baptism

(4) the right time for baptism

(5) the correct authority for baptism

Meaning: In its simplest form baptism is a public identification with Jesus the Christ.

Proper Candidate for Baptism: Only One who is sufficiently mature and has recognized, confessed, repented of his/her sin, and has made a conscious commitment of faith in Christ should be baptized (Acts 2:41).

Correct Time for Baptism: Baptism is a public confession of faith, an initiatory ordinance of a new believer desiring to be obedient to Christ (Acts 8:35–38). Therefore, as soon as one is saved, he should be baptized as early as is convenient.

The Proper Form of Baptism: While it is true that baptizo means “immerse, The new believer is buried in a watery grave and raised up as a symbol of his trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the atonement of sins. Only immersion adequately pictures a burial and a resurrection (Rom. 6:4–6).

The Correct Authority for Baptism: Who has the authority to administer or perform baptism? The local church is the proper authority to administer baptism.