Water baptism: Difference between revisions

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=Why must Christians be Baptized?=
=Why must Christians be Baptized?=
[[Image:Baptism Ukraine.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Baptism in the Black Sea, Ukraine.]]
[[Image:Baptism Ukraine.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Baptism in the Black Sea, Ukraine.]]
'''Jesus commanded it.'''
'''Jesus commanded it.'''
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:''Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:''  (Romans 6:3-5)
:''Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:''  (Romans 6:3-5)


=Should Christians be Immersed?=


=Should Christians be Immersed?=
[[Image:Baptism-Philippines Jail.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Immersion in a Philippine Jail.]]
[[Image:Baptism-Philippines Jail.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Immersion in a Philippine Jail.]]
Full Immersion is the only Biblical method of Baptism.   
Full Immersion is the preferred Biblical method of Baptism.   


The Greek word for baptize (βάπτειν) means to fully immerse something in a fluid.  Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that the word is derived from bapto, meaning to dip, and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another.  Vine's also sets forth the noun form as follows: "baptisma ... baptism, consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip)."   
The Greek word for baptize (βάπτειν) means to fully immerse something in a fluid.  Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that the word is derived from bapto, meaning to dip, and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another.  Vine's also sets forth the noun form as follows: "baptisma ... baptism, consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip)."   
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=In what Name should Christians be baptized?=
=In what Name should Christians be baptized?=
[[Image:Baptism-India.jpg|right|thumb|Baptism in India.]]
[[Image:Baptism-India.jpg|right|thumb|Baptism in India.]]
Christians should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, provided that it is made clear that the person is doing this on the basis that they have believed on Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.


Jesus said ''Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:'' (Mat. 28:19)     
Jesus said ''Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:'' (Mat. 28:19)     
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#''That is, on Christ Jesus.  When they heard [this], they were baptized in the '''name of the Lord Jesus'''.''(Acts 19:4b,5)
#''That is, on Christ Jesus.  When they heard [this], they were baptized in the '''name of the Lord Jesus'''.''(Acts 19:4b,5)


In the 'great commission,' Jesus said, "In my name they will drive out demons...they will place their hands on sick people." The apostles did this by invoking the name, speaking aloud his name. The same should be done at water baptism.
Christians should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, provided that it is made clear that the person is doing this on the basis that they have believed on Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.
 
The reason that baptisms in the Book of Acts were "in the name of Jesus" is not because it was a formula, but because the phrase "in the name of" means "in the authority of.
 
We can see proof of this in Acts 4:7-10:
 
:''After making Peter and John stand in their midst, they began to inquire, “'''By what power or by what name did you do this?'''”  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man—by what means this man was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy.
 
So "in Jesus' name" is not a formula for what must be specifically stated when baptizing a person. "In Jesus' name" simply means by Jesus' authority or power.  To baptize in Jesus' name simply means to do so in obedience to His power or authority.  His authority is the authority of God , which is the same power as that referred to in Matthew 28:19 - the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  So to baptize in accordance with Jesus' name is to baptize according to His power or authority, which is the same as baptizing according to the name or authority or power of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Either formula would appear to be acceptable from scripture.


=Is baptism required for salvation?=
=Is baptism required for salvation?=