Baptism
The English word "baptize" comes from a nearly identical Greek word "baptizo" which is the language of the original New Testament writings. The simplest meaning of the word is to "soak, plunge, drench or sink in water." It is with this meaning that it appears in the New Testament of the Bible 74 times.
In the Old Testament, the priests were taught to wash themselves before engaging in worship (Leviticus 15:11, 13). In the New Testament, if people wanted to be converted to Jewish belief, they went through a ceremonial washing referred to as baptism (Mark 7:4, Luke11:38, Hebrews 9:10).
The second reference to baptism concerns the work of John the Baptist. This was pre-Christian baptism. It was the outward symbol of a repentant heart (Matthew 3:6, 11; John 1:25).
The most common use of the word baptism in the New Testament is Christian baptism. After Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples. In His final charge, known as the "Great Commission", Jesus included a command to baptize. This was not to provide or be a prerequisite of salvation, but was intended as an outward sign and mark of a believer who was obediently following Christ.
The Christians took this seriously. As soon as the church was born, about 3,000 new believers were baptized (Acts 2:41). Belief always comes first, then baptism.
It has been said that, "Baptism signifies that the old self in us is drowned, and the new person is risen to life before God in righteousness and purity forever." Paul said, "and you are complete in Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Colossians 2:10, 12,13.
And Jesus said,"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
If you have not yet been baptized and would like to be, please contact the church office and we would be happy to make arrangements with you.