In this column, we conclude the third article on the topic of “Baptism – Principles & Practices”. The first two were entitled, What is Baptism” and “Why should we be baptized”. And today, we end with “Who should be baptized & How should we be baptized?”
God willing, the next Baptism is scheduled on 20 Dec 2015.
Baptism is for:
- Those who are saved! – Acts 2:37-42
- For Jews & Gentiles – Acts 10:44-48
The reception of Peter’s preaching was demonstrated by faith in Christ. They witnessed to that faith in Christ by being baptized. Peter did not mention it to the believers but to those who were not saved but anxious enquirers after the truth. ALL believers should be baptized.
- For young and old – Acts 16:30-34
We draw great encouragement from the account of the conversion of the Philippian jailer. It is remarkable to see the Spirit of God at work in Philippi. This account shows us that the gospel was peached to all that were in the house.
How should we be baptized?
In our church, we baptized by “immersion”. Although on occasion like physical immobility, we will use “sprinkling”. The immersion principle is based upon the meaning of the word baptism and it is derived from the indication of death, burial, and resurrection of the believer as identified with the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a practice of the early believers as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. In the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:38-39), we noted that “they went down both into the water.” And it was in the water that Philip baptized the eunuch. We are then told “And when they came up out of the water”.
We here summarised the essentials of this topic again!
What is baptism? It is the identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
Why should we be baptized? Because the Lord commanded that we should.
Who should be baptized? Believers in the Lord only.
How should they be baptized? They should be baptized by immersion in water.
In conclusion, it is our prayers that all our believing brothers and sisters in the Lord, that there should not be any delay, in obeying the ordinance of God. Pray and get yourself ready for the next baptism service scheduled on 20 Dec 2015.
Elder Andrew Lim
