A Biblical Basis for Water Baptism
Is water baptism important? This question has raced through
my mind after reading of all the success stories of Easter
celebrations across our state and around the world. I want to
share with you the statistics for the state of Mississippi.
These are calculated by the data sent in by the ministers
within our state. In Mississippi, our latest reports show 2,104
conversions and only 393 water baptisms for this year. The
stats are the same for our entire denomination; 122,771
conversions and 24,128 water baptisms. In Mississippi we
baptized 19% of our converts. It is 20% in the denomination
(US and Canada) .
I want to examine the Biblical basis for water baptism.
First of all, Jesus commands it. “Go you therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19
Secondly, water baptism represents our death, burial, and
resurrection with Jesus. “God forbid. How shall we that
are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not,
that so many of us 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 6:2-5
Thirdly, Baptism is compared to circumcision throughout
the scriptures. “Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
And you who are complete in him, which is the head of
all principality and power. In whom also you are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,
in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism,
wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of
God, who has raised Him from the dead. And you, being
dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
has He quickened together with Him, having forgive you
all your trespasses.” Colossians 2:8-13
“This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me
and you and your seed after you. Every man-child
among you shall be circumcised.
And you shall
circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be
taken of the covenant between you and me. And he that
is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every
man child in your generations, he that is born in your
house, and he that is bought with money must be
circumcised and my covenant shall be in your flesh for
an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man
child whose flesh of his foreskin in not circumcised that
soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my
covenant.” Genesis 17:10-14
Now lets look at water baptism and circumcision.
1. Done for cleanliness
2. Kept the flesh from contaminating the seed
3. Circumcision was done on the eighth day after birth. Represents the new life/
new beginning.
4. A child would receive his father’s name at circumcision.
5. The child would receive rights to inherit his father’s estate.
6. It was a sign of the blood covenant.
In conclusion, I want to ask the same question, “Is water baptism important?” I
believe we all know the answer. So I challenge every pastor to make water baptism a
priority. Get the baptistery filled, get a swimming pool, or go to the river. Make this
day meaningful and intentional. Do this with as much preparation and excitement as
you did your Easter service. It is important for every believer to be baptized
Blessings ,
Administrative Bishop