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NEW TESTAMENT BAPTISMS Water Baptism By Larry Kreider Baptism In Water Is A Demonstration of Obedience Water baptism, sometimes called believers baptism, is for the purpose of identifying with Jesus. In the New Testament, once a person believed in Jesus for salvation, he was then baptized in water. Baptism is a sign of cleansing and forgiveneww of sin - an act of faith and obedience. Jesus, Himself, introduces us to water baptism when He was baptized by John the Baptist. John had been preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). When people reprented of their sins, they were water-baptized as the outward evidence that they had repented. Since it was an outward sign, it did not magically save them. The power in baptism was in the power of God, not in the water or the act itself. "Then why," you may ask, "was Jesus baptized"? Jesus was without sin (1 Peter 2:21-22); He did not need to show evidence of confessing and repenting of sin. John pondered the same question when Jesus came to him to be baptized. Jesus gave John the answer to his question when he said, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Jesus was setting an example for Christian believers to follow - not simply as evidence that they had confessed and repented of their sins, but "to fulfill (complete) all righteousness." Christian baptism is an outward act of obedience by which the believer fulfills the inward righteousness he already has through faith in Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus said that everywhere the gospel is preached, individuals will be saved when they believe. Baptism naturally followed. "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved....(Mark 16:16). The natural succession and pattern of believing first and then being baptized is followed throughout the New Testament. Sometimes people ask, "I was baptized as an infant. Is infant baptism in the Bible?" Infant baptism is not mentioned in the Bible. The record of baptisms in the New Testament are of adults who were previously unbelievers. These believers were baptized after their belief and faith, and baptism is the outward sign of faith, it stands to reason that an infant is not eligible for baptism. Although there is not necessarily anything wrong with baptizing a baby as a form of dedication to the Lord, according to scripture, they should be baptized after they believe as an outward sign of faith. The key question to ask is this: Have you been baptized since you believed? The Bible teaches us to be baptized in water after we believe in Jesus. It is a sign of our faith. 
REFLECTION: If you have been water baptized, recall your experience.
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