Preparing for Baptism: “Head and Heart”

Baptism into Christ is a lot like a wedding ceremony:  It is a simple act of commitment that changes a relationship and unites us with Jesus Christ!  Like a wedding ceremony, it should be done with the preparation of both “the head” and “the heart.”
 
“The Head” – What do I Need to Know?
 
Basic Christian Doctrine 
The Bible records baptisms of people after hearing only one sermon!  We do not have to have a full understanding of the Bible in order to be baptized.  What are the basics of Christian doctrine that one should know before being baptized?

• God exists as a holy, sinless being who created us for fellowship with Himself
• We have each chosen to sin against God -- disobey His will (IS 53: 6)
• Our sin has separated us from a right relationship with our Creator (IS 59:2)
• God sent Jesus, his Son, to be the “sin sacrifice” for us – to atone for our guilt (II Cor 5:21)
• Jesus died on the cross for our sins in order to reconcile us to God (Col 1:20)
• Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God (Acts 2:32)

 
What Happens in Baptism?

• We are united with Christ (Gal 3:27, Rom 6:3)
• We are forgiven of sins; our sins are “washed away” (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16)
• We are saved from the guilt of our sins (MK 16:16, I PT 3:21)
• We are given the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to indwell us (Acts 2:38)
• We are added to Christ’s body of the saved, his church (Acts 2:47).
• We rise from baptism to walk a new life, freed from the rule of sin (Rom 6:1-7)

 
Correcting Common Misunderstandings about Baptism: 

• Biblical baptism is an immersion in water, not a sprinkling or pouring (JN 3:23, Rom 6: 4).  The word “baptize” literally means “immerse” or “dip.”

•    Baptism is into CHRIST, not into a local church or a denomination (Gal 3:27). 
• Infants and young children are not appropriate candidates for baptism -- individual faith and repentance precedes baptism (MK 16:16, Acts 2:38). 
• Baptism is the point where we contact the saving blood of Jesus; nowhere does the Bible teach that we are saved by “praying and receiving Jesus in our heart” but rather by putting our faith in Jesus, turning from sin in repentance, and by being baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, I PT 3:21).

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“The Heart” – What do I need to Experience? 
What Precedes Baptism?

• Faith in Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God, must precede baptism (MK 16:16, MT 16:16).  Faith is not just an intellectual agreement that Jesus is divine, but an active, obedient, confessing trust in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.  Faith is lived, not just thought (JM 2:14-26). 

 

• Repentance of sin must precede baptism (LK 13:3, Acts 2:38, LK 24:45-47).  Repentance is a DECISION to change how we view sin and how we live our lives.  We decide to take God’s view that sin is spiritually destructive and make a decision to turn from a life of sin toward a life of righteousness.  Repentance involves a regret of sin and a resolve to change the direction of our life toward God’s holiness.   Repentance is an “inside job” – a personal spiritual decision.     

 
How do I know that I’m ready for Baptism?

• Do I know the basic facts of the gospel? (I Cor 15:3-4)
• Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? (MT 16:16)
• Am I convicted of the guilt and destruction of my sin? (Rom 6:23)
• Am I ready to become a disciple (learner, apprentice) of Jesus? (MT 28:19)
• Am I willing to let Jesus change my heart and life – to be born again? (JN 3:3-6)
• Am I willing to trust Jesus to forgive me and lead my life toward heaven? (JN 14:1)

 
Final thoughts
 
Baptism comes when we make the decision to “begin the journey of faith.”   In that sense baptism is like a wedding ceremony: a commitment to begin a life together with one that we love.  We have much to learn from the Lord after our initial commitment to Him (MT 28:20).  Baptism is the beginning of a new life when we are “born again” (JN 3:3-7).
 
Christians still sin, but are continually forgiven of sin as they “walk in the light” (I JN 1:5-10).  “Walking in the light” of the Lord is not a matter of perfection but of direction toward the Lord.  It is evidenced by openness toward God and His will, including the admission of known sin.  The blood of Jesus Christ continues to forgive us after baptism as we “walk in the light.”    
 
Baptism should occur immediately once we are convicted of our need for Christ:  “And now, what are you waiting for?  Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).  Once we are convicted of our sin and see our need of Jesus as Savior, baptism becomes an immediate need so that our sins may be forgiven and our peace with God restored.