Believe and be Baptised

AN EXPLANATION OF BAPTISM.

BELIEVER’S BAPTISM.

There are five important sections of the Holy Scriptures which explain the subject of Baptism and why it is necessary for ‘Born Again’ Believers to be baptised. Please read carefully the following notes and scripture references, checking them in your own Bible.

Matthew 3:3-17.

Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) as the pioneer of our faith sets the pattern for all His disciples (Jew and Gentile) by example. Yochanan ha Matvil (John the Baptist or Immerser) baptises Yeshua for two reasons:- 
(1) Our Lord commanded him to do it.
(2) It is the right thing to do in the sight of God – "Fulfilling all righteousness."

Sometimes you will hear it said that we follow the Lord through the waters of baptism. A disciple does as His master does.

Matthew 28:18-20.

These verses are called ‘The Great Commission of Messiah’ and were given to the disciples (talmidim) just before Yeshua ascended to heaven. This commission is a command. Go and:-
(1) Make disciples.
(2) Baptise.
(3) Teach obedience to the words of Yeshua (Jesus).

BAPTISM IS NOT OPTIONAL IT IS A MUST.

When people are baptised within the Fellowship we use the name of the Tri-unity of the Godhead – "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (The Lord our God is one.)

Acts 8:1-12 (especially verse 12).

Here is an example of the early messianic community practising baptism. Note in verse twelve that the Samaritans ‘believed’ before they were ‘baptised’. Therefore this is nothing to do with infant baptism, which is no substitute for believer’s baptism. It should be noted that the word baptism is derived from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means to dip, immerse or saturate. Therefore New Testament (Brit Hadasha) baptism (mikveh) is by Total Immersion. The early believers who were all Jewish, were used to ceremonial washings and so the idea of a Mikveh unto Adonai Yeshua as part of their new faith in He who had defeated death was logical as well as obedient.

Buried with Him into the likeness of His Death and Raised to walk in the Newness of Life.

Romans 6:1-4.

Here Sha’ul (Paul) supplies a spiritual description of and explanation for baptism. Did you know? A BAPTISM SERVICE IS A FUNERAL SERVICE! Symbolically the Messianic Believer buries the old life of sin before he came to faith in Yeshua. Coming out of the water declares newness of resurrection life in your Messiah (Moshiach).

So BAPTISM ALSO BECOMES A CELEBRATION. It is a visual testimony of what has happened to you when you were born again by the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as God gives you the power to live differently.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 and 1 Peter 3:21.

When you read the two scriptural references above you will see how Sha’ul (Paul) shows how believers have always had a ‘type of baptism’. (This is an example of classic Jewish Midrash in that you interpret scripture by scripture, not through men but through the Word of God). How’s your conscience? Every believer will meet God one day to account for our obedience to His Word. Baptism is foundational to our spiritual progress and it is A MUST when it comes to obedience. This is why the scriptures show that new believers became baptised:-
Acts 2;23,41: 8:12; 10:48; 16:33: 19:5.

WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?

(a) It is a public confession of a personal faith in Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach (the Lord Jesus Christ). Acts 8:36-37.

(b) It is a symbol of the fact that our sins have been washed away in the blood of our Messiah (the Christ). Acts 22:16.

(c) It is a symbol of the fact that we have ‘died’ to our old, sinful way of life. Romans 6:3.

(d) It is a symbol of the fact that we have been ‘raised’ with Moshiach (Christ) to a new life of holiness. Romans 6:4-5.

WHO MAY BE BAPTISED?

(a) Only those who sincerely believe that Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) is the Son of God. Acts 8:36-37. ‘Immanuel’ – God with us.
Isaiah 7:14.

(b) Only those who have truly repented of their sin and turned in faith to Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), receiving Him as their personal Saviour. Upon repentance we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto eternal life. Acts 2:38.

(c) Only those who are sincerely willing to become disciples of the Messiah, that is, willing to obey His commandments and acknowledge that He is Lord of their lives. Matthew 28:19-20.

WHAT FOLLOWS BAPTISM?

(a) We must seek to live a life consistent with the profession we have made in Baptism – that is, a life of personal obedience to God’s Word. Romans 6:5-14.

(b) We must take our place in the local assembly of believers as a member of the Body of Moshiach (Christ), sharing in its worship, fellowship and witness. Ephesians 4:1-6; Romans 12:4-8.

Share this page