A Case For Believer's Baptism

• Matthew 28:18 – Jesus claims that all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him. Jesus does not speak suggestively in his words to believers. He speaks with authority – His words are specifically instructional without room for question.
• Matthew 28:19 – Jesus says that disciples (followers / believers) are to “go” (directive) and make disciples, *baptizing* them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit . . . (This is not a suggestion – see above). The word baptism has its roots in the word Bapto, which means “dip” or “temporarily plunge something” or “temporarily immerse something.” Baptism is about going under water (immersion).
•  Matthew 3:13-16 – Jesus was baptized by John The Baptist. Jesus “came up out of the water.” Note that Jesus sought baptism – it was not something done to him until He first sought it.
• Acts 8:26-40 – The Ethiopian Eunuch asks Philip about baptism, and what he must do to be baptized. Philip says (Broadman translation – v. 37), “If you believe with all your heart you may (be baptized). And (the Ethiopian) replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Philip then baptized him – The Eunoch “came up out of the water.” This reminds us that Salvation is separate from Baptism, *and* must *precede* Baptism. Baptism, without salvation, will not “save someone” and ensure they live in eternity with Jesus. That’s why we must *never* talk of baptism as synonymous with salvation. Many people today, baptized or ceremoniously inducted into the church, may be living with a false assurance of salvation. Also, note, the Ethiopian sought baptism – it was not something done to him until He first sought it.
• Mark 8:34-38 – Jesus reminds us, “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He comes to glory.” Believer’s Baptism is a beautiful way to publicly demonstrate that you and I are not ashamed to say that we follow Jesus.

7.      Baptism allows us to literally follow Jesus’s example of baptism. Is there anything sweeter than knowing we shared the same experience as our Savior?

If someone says to you, “Baptism? That’s a Baptist thing.” Now, you can say, “No, it’s a Scriptural thing; it’s a Jesus thing. Baptists practice it, but it is not exclusively Baptist.”