Baptism is a picture of our new life, soaked in the image of Jesus, transformed in obedience to God. It is a picture of our death to sin, just as Jesus died for our sins. It is a picture of a burial of our old way of life, just as Jesus was buried. It is a picture of a rebirth to a new life in Christ, just as Jesus was resurrected and lives today. Jesus said -- “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” Baptism - or Baptizo in the original Greek language - means a drenching or submerging - like when you dye a cloth and it soaks in the color and comes out transformed.
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How to Baptize Someone
If you have never baptized someone before, it may seem intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. Here are some simple steps:
Find some standing water, deep enough to allow the new disciple to be submerged. This can be a pond, river, lake or ocean. It could be a bathtub or another way to gather water.
Let the disciple hold one of your hands with theirs and support their back with the other.
Ask two questions like these to make sure they understand their decision. “Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” “Will you obey and serve Him as your King for the rest of your life?”
If they answer “Yes,” to both, then say something like this: “Because you’ve professed your faith in the Lord Jesus, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Help them lower into the water, submerge completely and raise them back up.
Congratulations! You’ve baptized a new follower of Jesus - a new citizen of heaven - a new child of the Living God. It’s time to celebrate!
Ask Yourself
Have you been baptized? If not, who is a believer you could talk to and take this next step of obedience with?
Have you ever baptized someone?
Would you even consider it?
If the Great Commission is for every follower of Jesus, does that mean every follower is allowed to baptize others? Why or why not?
