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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Matthew 28:18-20
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The Bible teaches us...
Jesus commanded us ~ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them ..." (Matthew 28:19 NKJV)
To confess Jesus publicly ~ "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32 NKJV)
To join the fellowship of the church ~ "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41 NKJV)
To follow Christ's example ~ "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." (Matthew 3:16 NKJV)
Baptism demonstrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection
When a believer is immersed below the surface into the water, it portrays to those watching, that Christ died and was buried. As the person is raised up out of the water, it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ as we are taught in
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Baptism is a picture-perfect moment of your new life in Christ
Your Baptism pictures the death of your old sinful life and represents that you have been resurrected to walk in newness of life in Christ. (Romans 6:4-5)
The Greek word "baptizo" is where we acquired the English word "baptism." The Greek definition is "to immerse, to dip or to submerge." Only a submerged body can represent death and burial. The body being raised up out of the water provides a picture of resurrection and life anew. (Acts 8:38-39)
Why wait?
If you struggle with the issue of baptism, locate a church that teaches the truth as documented in the scripture, or seek out counsel of someone who can help you resolve your concerns regarding baptism.
If you have to ask the question, "Am I scripturally baptized", you likely need to take the next steps toward your obedience to God.
Perhaps you were baptized as a child, or sprinkled perhaps, and weren't spiritually ready to receive the true meaning at that time - consider rededicating your life to Christ by taking this next step toward obedience to Him.
If you were baptized as an adult, but haven't been walking the path that Christ intended for you, perhaps you should consider rededicating your life to Christ and taking this next step toward obedience to Him.
Allow the Holy Spirit to move more freely in your life, guiding you to the truth in Him and enabling you to make life journey decisions that matter in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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