BAPTISM
Bap∙tism
Define It. Understand It. Experience It.
We are excited that you have come to the place in your life where you are considering being baptized.
Below we have provided for you an overview of what the Scripture teaches about baptism. Our prayer is that after you review this information you will have a clear definition of baptism, understand its significance in your life, and take the next step to personally experience it.
Define It.
There are five words in the Greek language that relate to baptism. Of those five, the one that is used quite frequently (77 times) - and the one that will serve our purpose on today - is the word baptizo (Greek: baptizw).
In its proper sense, baptizo means “to dip,” “to immerge,” “to sink,” or “to submerge”. It can also mean “to wash”. Generally, this is the word that is used in the Bible when referring to the act of baptism.
Baptism, when it is not used in a metaphorical sense, is always associated with water.
Understand It.
In ancient days, people (religious Jews, Babylonians, Egyptians, etc.) understood the word baptizo to be related to the various ritual purity washings that they would undergo continuously as a part of their cult. So the whole idea of “washing” or “submerging” something or someone in water for a religious purpose was probably common.
An example of this can be seen in Mark 7:4, where Mark speaks of the tradition of the Pharisees to wash (Greek: baptiswntai) their hands, after coming from the Marketplace, before eating.
Although baptism might have been common among some ancients, Christian baptism came to mean something totally different from the cultic purity practices of the day.
Before we talk about what baptism symbolizes, here are some truths that you need to understand:
Truth #1
The Bible teaches that forgiveness of sin is based solely on Jesus shedding his blood (i.e., dying) on the cross (Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7).
Truth #2
Salvation (i.e., deliverance from sin) happens only when an individual places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus as sufficient payment for his or her sin (Acts 4:8-12; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Truth #3
In the Bible, baptism always occurred after a person placed his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus for salvation (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:14-15, 31-33; 18:8).
Truth #4
We believe here at Antioch that Jesus modeled baptism by immersion (Matthew 3:13-17) and is, therefore, the way that we as a church baptize those who place their trust in Him.
Truth #5
Baptism is an act of obedience. It is normally a step that is taken once. It is not a requirement for salvation.
Did you understand all of that? Good. Now let’s look at what baptism symbolizes:
Baptism symbolizes the fact that you have placed your trust in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.
Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and your sharing in that fact by your going under the water (dying to your old life) and coming up from the water (being raised to new life in Jesus).
Baptism symbolizes that you have been washed clean (forgiven) of your sins because of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Experience It.
Now that you have an understanding of what baptism is it’s time for you to experience it. It is time for you to go public and declare to others that you believe in and belong to Jesus. So, here is your next step.
Here at the Antioch Church we require persons to attend our Baptism class, which is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 8:45a.m. in room C-102, before being baptized. We offer this class for two reasons: 1. It gives you an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have regarding baptism, and 2. It fulfills part of the responsibility of the Pastoral Leadership to care for Jesus' church, that is, by ensuring that persons have accepted Jesus prior to being baptized and that they full understand its meaning. To sign-up for the next Baptism class, please email baptism@afmbc.org or call Billie Wiseman-Burden at 972-228-2420.
My Baptism
On the day of your baptism:
- Contact the Business Office during the week if you are unsure whether or not you are on the schedule to be baptized. You can be reached by calling 972-228-2420 or by e-mailing baptism@afmbc.org.
- We should arrive in the Steeple Lounge by 9:15 AM. (The Steeple Lounge is located on the second floor of the worship center)
- Please bring a dark colored T-shirt and dark-colored pants/shorts to wear underneath your robe, a complete change of clothing, and a bag for your wet articles.
- Baptism robes and towels are provided for your convenience. Now that you have an understanding of what baptism is it’s time for you to experience it. It is time for you to go public and declare to others that you believe in and belong to Jesus.
- To help celebrate your baptism, we are pleased to provide you with a certificate and DVD of your baptism. Both will be mailed within a few weeks after your baptism.
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