Jesus Himself was baptized in water, and He instructed His disciples to baptize any new follower who would come to Him.
Baptism in water is like Jesus’ burial after He died. It means death to our old sinful way of life. We also rise again to new life when we come up out of the water. Just as Jesus rose up from the grave and lived again, so we too begin the new life with Jesus after the burial of baptism.
Memory Verses
1) Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2) Acts 8:35-39 – Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
3) 1 Peter 3:20-21 – [Noah and his family] were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4) Acts 22:16 – And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
5) Romans 6:3-4 – Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Lord, thank You for opening the way to a new life, and showing us how that new life begins.
Please help us to understand Your word fully. Strengthen us to do all that You ask of us.
Give us wisdom as we think about being baptized. This is the most important decision we will ever make, so be with us now as we consider it.