Baptism is a command of God we all need to obey. Here are some helpful instructions and bible references to use when explaining baptism:
What must a new believer in Jesus Christ do .first. according to the bible?
In Acts 8 they went into the water and came up out of the water. In Acts 2 after they gladly received the word, they immediately got baptized. The same day in fact! In
Acts 16:33 it was the same hour.
It is simply God's way to identify you with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. We are outwardly showing a newfound faith and trust in Jesus as our way to Heaven.
The bible teaches the thief on the cross had no time to get baptized yet he is with Christ. By simply believing in the righteousness of Jesus Christ we can be saved.
It is very simple to be baptized. We have a robe that would fit you, clean towels, and dressing rooms. The water is always chlorinated and heated on Sunday and you can walk the aisle during the invitation with your Sunday school teacher during the morning or evening service. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Baptism Facts and Myths
Myth: Being baptized as a baby is sufficient.
Fact: No one in the bible was ever baptized or sprinkled as a baby:
- God only recognizes one type of Baptism (Ephesians 4:5).
- 3,000 souls (People old enough to understand Peter.s preaching of the gospel) came down to be baptized at Pentecost (Acts 2:6, 8, 22, 29, 41-42).
- Jesus was baptized as an adult being 30 years of age (Luke 3:21-23).
- The Ethiopian man got baptized by Philip (Acts 8:27, 38-39).
- It was done always by immersion.
Myth: I need to wait till I.m ready to be baptized.
Fact: In the bible people who received Christ were immediately baptized; the same day. In fact, the very same hour:
- Acts 2:41; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 16:30-33
- These verses conclude the only thing a person needs in order to be baptized is he or she must first be saved!
Myth: A person needs to get rid of their sin(s) and start living right in
Order to be baptized.
Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth!
- We do not stop sinning in order to be baptized. We get SAVED in order to be baptized! Go ahead and try to stop sinning in order to be baptized because that day will never come.
- The apostle Paul said he is the chief of sinners (I Tim 1:15) after having been saved and baptized in Damascus (Acts 9:18).
- Paul said it is the preaching of the cross that gets rid of our sin and saves us not baptism (I Cor 1:17-18).
- The order to start living right as a Christian it is very important that you start your Christian walk on the right foot. That is by obeying God's first commandment after trusting in Christ; which is "Baptism".
- It is interesting to note in Acts 2:41 after many were baptized they immediately became stronger Christians. Now they were able to continue steadfastly in the apostles` doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. But only after they were baptized.
- Baptism is not part of salvation but it is necessary and essential for the growth of a Christian. Even so we also should walk in the newness of life (Rom 6:1-4).
Myth: Baptism should be done in front of family and friends i.e.: It
Should be a "grand affair" almost a party of sorts?
Fact: Not always. The Ethiopian man was alone when he was baptized
By Phillip in Acts 8.
Myth: Baptism will not make me feel any different.
Fact: The bible says after being baptized the Eunuch went on his way
Rejoicing (Acts 8:39)!
- The prison guard also rejoiced (Acts 16:34).
- It is the beginning of walking in the newness of life (Rom 6:1-4).
- In conclusion, baptism is the first step in happiness & growth as a Christian. Won't you be baptized today?
An Invitation
We would like to congratulate you on your decision to trust Jesus as your Savior. This is the most important decision a person can make in their lifetime! We are happy for you and rejoice that you can now have assurance of your eternity. Please take a few minutes, and look up these verses in your Bible: John 3:36, John 5:24, John 10:27 - 29, Romans 8:38 - 39, and 1 John 5:11 - 13.
The first thing that you as a child of God should do are explained in these verses: Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12 -13, Acts 16:14 -15, and Acts 16:30 - 33. The Lord 
was not ashamed of us when He died in our place, and we should not be ashamed of our faith in Him. Our first commandment as a Christian is to follow the Lord in baptism. It is simply a public profession of our faith.
When a person is baptized, they are making it public that they believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for them.
Please notice that baptism in the Bible was always done after salvation. Acts 8:35 - 38. It was also done very soon after a person chose to believe on Jesus to save them.
Biblical baptism is done by immersion. This properly pictures the burial, death and resurrection of Jesus. Mathew 3: 16, Acts 8: 35 - 39.
Baptism is simple. We are ready to baptize on any given Sunday. If you want to be baptized to make your faith public, all you need to do is walk down the aisle during the invitation, and tell one of the men standing at the front that you would like to be baptized.
If you would like to discuss this subject further, please see Bro. Cesar Molina. Bro. Cesar is available to meet with you on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock to answer any questions you may have. Please meet him at the Baptism Coordinators office near the entrance to the main auditorium.
