1. To follow the example set by Jesus.

   “One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.”

   (Mark 1:9)

1. It illustrates Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

   “Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again.”

   (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

2. It illustrates my New Life as a Christian

   “'This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

   (2 Cor. 5:17)

3. Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian

   It shows that you ARE a believer. Baptism does not save you; only your faith in Christ can do that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

   Baptism is the first step of obedience.

1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.

   “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.”

   (Matt. 3:16)

2. Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

   (Example) “.. then both Philip and the men went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..”

   (Acts 8:38-39)

3. The word “baptize” means “to dip under water.”

   The Greek word for ‘baptize’ means to”immerse or dip under water”

4. It best symbolizes a burial and resurrection.

   The founders of denominations agree.

   Martin Luther - “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies."

   John Calvin - “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church. “

   John Wesley - “Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

Every person who has believed in Christ.

“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized…”

(Acts 2:41)

“Simon himself believed and was baptized…”

(Acts 8:13)

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News - and the name of Jesus Christ, They were baptized, both men and women.”

(Acts 8:12)