Water baptism
Understanding Water Baptism
The ministry of water baptism in the Bible was first introduced by John the Baptist and we can draw our first meaning of it from this verse: “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Matthew 3:5-6 NKJV
Baptism is therefore an act of faith for the forgiveness of our sins after we have confessed them and decided to repent.
CSN MINISTRY
We can also understand from other scriptures that when the believer goes through baptism, it’s an answer of a good conscience toward God for the removal of the filth of one’s soul
(cf. 1 Peter 3:21).
Finally, to be baptized also has a spiritual meaning because by our immersion, we die to our old sinful self and in coming out of waters, we are being born into something new, and that’s what Jesus defined as the new birth. Jesus began teaching on this reality in John 3, and this is what it says here:
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5 NKJV
This means that the baptism of water is also a seal of our new birth and it gives us the access to enter the kingdom of God that Christ came to announce. Paul wrote :
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”
Colossians 2:12 NLT
In Conclusion
A more extensive teaching is given to anyone who wants to get baptized, before the set date. But it is important to understand that baptism is a powerful part of the Christian faith and an amazing experience to start afresh with God if you’ve just received Christ as your Lord and Savior, and have never done that public engagement. And as Jesus modeled it by being baptized himself, so shall we !
Here at CSN, we will be glad to hold your hand on that faithful day, because to each soul born into the kingdom, heaven rejoices ! So to be baptized, simply fill out the membership form to register and we will follow up.
- Please note that we do not baptize children, because we believe that the kingdom of God is already theirs as Jesus said: “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.””
Matthew 19:14 NLT
But we can gladly dedicate them to him as it is the custom in the Bible. We can discuss this further.
