~ Baptism ~ What the Bible says about it  Why be Baptized? A.) Because Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-16) B.) Jesus commanded us to baptize & be baptized ) (Matthew 28:18-20---this verse is called The Great Commission) 
What does Baptism mean? A.) Baptism proclaims to the world that you have Jesus in your life. (Romans 6:4-6) B.) Baptism symbolizes the cleaning of sin that took place when you invited Jesus into your life. It is the outward sign of an inward grace. (2 Corinthians 5:13) C.) Baptism symbolizes the death to your old way of life of sin & resurrection to a new way of life with Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) D.) Baptism reminds us of the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus.
How should we be baptized According to the Bible? The Greek word baptizo means to plunge, dip, or immerse. It is used in Greek literature to describe a ship sinking below the waves, of a piece of cloth being dyed... (Acts 8:36 & Matthew 3:13-16 describes baptisms.)
Two methods may be used, forwards or backwards. The word "sprinkle" is used only in Hebrew, where it is used to describe how the Priest would sprinkle blood on the altar. Sprinkling as a method of baptism didn't begin until the early second century. The first child to be sprinkled wasn't until the early third century. The first infant to be sprinkled wasn't until the sixth century. The Catholic Church didn't make sprinkling an official doctrine until the thirteenth century. The Greek Orthodox Church immerses. In the Catholic publication, Faith of Millions, the chapter entitled, "Credentials of the Catholic Religion", states, "The common method during the first 12 centuries was by immersion." Catholic Churches in Europe built prior to the 13th century have murals & mosaics of Jesus being baptize by immersion.
I thought you became a Christian when you were Baptized? A.) The thief on the cross was NEVER Baptized (Luke 23:43) B.) Ephesians 2:8,9 & Titus 3:5 teaches Salvation is by faith alone, not works. C.) If all you had to do to be saved was to be Baptized, then why did Jesus have to die? (Galatians 2:21) D.) In these following passages on salvation, Where was Baptism mentioned as a necessary practice to be saved? Luke 13:3,5; & Luke 15:7, John 3:16-18; & 5:24; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:8-10; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:18-23; 1 John 5:10-12.
I thought Baptism only refers to Spiritual Baptism? A.) Baptism was by water (Acts 8:36-38, 10:47) B.) Baptism was immediate after conversion (Acts 8:38, 9:18, and 16:15,33)
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