Cove Baptist Church

  Church Lane, COVE, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 9RJ

Introduction

Jesus gave us two pictures to remind us about the important truths of being a Christian.

The first was the Lord’s supper (or Communion), and the second was baptism.

Before Jesus began his public ministry, he was baptised in water and also with the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “let it be so now; it is proper to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3 vs. 13-17 (NIV)

What Does Baptism Mean?

Baptism is a picture of four things that happen to a person who believes in Jesus Christ:

1.     Washing away past sins

2.     Burying the old life and rising in new life in Christ

3.     Joining the body of Christ

4.     Blessing of God’s Holy Spirit

Is Baptism a Command?

We believe that baptism is a command of Jesus, according to the great commission in Matthew 28 vs. 18-28 - all Christians are to be baptised.

Baptism is for those who have repented of their sin toward God and have accepted and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Can We Be Christians and Not Be Baptised?

Nowhere does the Bible indicate that our salvation depends upon baptism alone - people are saved by putting their trust and faith in Jesus Christ.

In a similar way, water baptism doesn’t make you a Christian, but is a picture of the commitment people make to Jesus, and is a symbol of the fact that our sin has been washed away and that new life is available for us (Acts 2 vs. 38-41).

How Do We Administer Baptism at CBC?

By dunking you under the water! The believer, after acknowledging repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, is immersed fully into water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Meaning of the Word Baptism

 ‘Baptism’ comes from the Greek noun baptisma, and describes the process of immersion, submersion or emergence.

 The Greek verb, baptizo (‘to baptise’) means to ‘to plunge; to dunk; to soak’, and was used among Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another. So John ‘The Baptist’ was a nickname due to his ‘dunking’ of his followers!

EVER WONDERED HOW YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

Last modified: October 24, 2009