The Necessity of Baptism

Why we are here

These four men have decided to give their lives over to Yeshua through baptism.

Baptism is, and should be, one of the most essential parts of our faith.

It symbolizes being united with Christ in His death, and being part of the New Covenant, True Israel.

I want to briefly go over some scriptures to show why we are here, and why we are doing what we are doing.

Romans 6:3-11

English Standard Version Chapter 6

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

So as I mentioned, when we are baptized, we put our flesh to death, joining Christ in his death and crucifixion.

Baptism is more than just an outward symbol to others. It is submission to God and His ways, not the ways of the flesh.

Acts 2:37–39 ESV

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

So what are we to do when we come to faith?

Repent

Be Baptized.

Matthew 3:11 ESV

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Yeshua’s baptism was different than that of John’s baptism of repentance. Yeshua came to burn away our debt to sin.

Yeshua also said to Paul,

Acts 22:16 ESV

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Yeshua’s baptism washes away the sins of those who are baptized.

1 Peter 3:21–22 ESV

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Through baptism, we aim to transform our minds to be unified with that of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Through baptism, we are united as the True Israel, through the New Covenant.

Galatians 3:27–29 ESV

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Now, how do we baptize, what’s the process?

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The formula that Yeshua gives us is to be baptized in the name of “The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” So that is exactly what we will be doing today.

And after we finish, we have an additional example in

Acts 8:14–17 ESV

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

When we finish with the baptism, we will all lay our hands on these gentlemen, and join together in praying over them, now in this moment, and for their futures, as they go forward as representatives of Christ.