Student Ministries...

Why Do I Need to Be Baptized?

1. WHY GET BAPTIZED
   We are separated from God by sin and Jesus covers our sin by His death on the cross. Jesus is the only one that brings us to God because he died for our sins.
   1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY CHRIST
      At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river. Mark 1:9

   2. BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.
      Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:19-20

   3. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.
      Read-Acts 18:8

2. WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?
   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.
      Acts 8:38-39

   3. THE WORD "BAPTIZE" ACTUALLY MEANS "TO DIP UNDER WATER."

   4. IMMERSION BEST SYMBOLIZES A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION!
      When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17

3. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
   1. IT ILLUSTRATES JESUS' BURIAL AND RESURRECTION
      Read 1 Cor. 15:3-4
      Col. 2:12

   2. IT ILLUSTRATES MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN.
      Read Rom. 6:4
      Baptism doesn't make you a believer, it demonstrates that you already believe. It's important to understand that baptism does not "save" you. You are "saved" only by your faith in Jesus.
      For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2:8-9
      Baptism is like a wedding ring -- it's the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

   What if I was baptized as an infant? Some churches baptize infants. At Parkview we don't. We only baptize those who have made a decision to believe in Christ's death as the payment for their sin. In the Bible, men and women were baptized following their belief in Jesus.
   The custom of infant baptism began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. It's a ceremony intended to emphasize a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. During this ceremony, the parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ.
   At Parkview, we have a dedication service for infants and children that emphasize the parent's role in raising a child to follow Christ.

   AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED! Acts 2:41

   Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, 'Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized right now?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The man answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:35-38
   There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect" you'll never be ready.

   Questions? Please contact Pastor Jason at 708-478-7477, Ext. 214.