- only the Bible records God's words

In the First Century church, new converts were always baptized. It wasn’t an option but an essential action as Jesus Christ himself explained to his apostles:

‘And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’ 

Mark 16 v 15-16

The Bible makes it clear that seeking baptism was very much an adult decision as it had to be preceded by belief. When the apostle Peter explained to a large crowd that Jesus whom they had crucified was actually their Messiah, they were “cut to the heart” and asked:

‘“…Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…’ 

Acts 2 v 37-38

These were adult reactions and mature decisions. The concept of a baby or little child believing and being baptized does not occur in the Bible.

Baptism in the New Testament was understood to mean being completely submerged in water, usually a river or pool with sufficient depth, and one aspect of this was to signify a symbolic death and rebirth:

‘…as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’

Romans 6 v 3-4

A moving record of an early conversion is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.  Philip, an apostle, was talking with an Ethiopian official who was reading about Jesus Christ from the Old Testament. Becoming convinced of these things, the Ethiopian asked:

‘“See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.’ 

Acts 8 v 36-38

The Bible makes it very clear what baptism is and why it is essential as someone begins their new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

[All Bible references are from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise]

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