Baptism?

Q:  What do I have to do to get baptized?

A:  Baptism is identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-14).  When we sin, our sin separates us from God.  Jesus died, was buried, and was raised back to life by God on the third day.  When Jesus rose again He conquered death and sin.  The only way to restore relationship with God is through Jesus (John 14:6; II Corinthians 5:17-21).  In order to have a relationship with God we must hear the Gospel - the good news about Jesus (Romans 10:14), we must believe the Gospel (Romans 10:9), we must understand, acknowledge, and repent (turn away from sin and toward God) our sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30), and we must confess Jesus is who He says He is and place our faith in Him (Romans 10:10).  Baptism by immersion symbolizes Jesus’ death – immersion into water is a picture of death, burial – submerged under the water is a picture of burial, and resurrection – rising up from the “watery grave” is a picture of resurrection.  Baptism is an act of obedience to God, and is a sign of surrender to His Lordship of our life.  When we receive the free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 1:21-22).  In this relationship we are blessed with an abundant life and grow in the character of Jesus (John 10:10; Galatians 5:22-25).  In the act of baptism the one performing the baptism will usually ask some questions.  These questions are to confirm that the one being baptized has a clear understanding to what they are committing themselves.  The questions are usually questions to verify the person’s faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior as they are to be baptized.

 Answered by Adam Scutti