1. Baptism
Or Not?

2. Baptism is not always Baptism
Many words are used today in ways the Bible does not use the word
“I was baptized as an infant. Do I have to be baptized again?”
“I was baptized to join a church. Is that baptism acceptable?”
“Does it matter that I was baptized in the __________ church?”

3. Baptism is not always Baptism
Not every claim for baptism is a valid baptism that is acceptable to God.
Many have been “baptized” - but their baptism does not meet the requirements of the commands in the New Testament.
There are three essentials in the New Testament for a baptism to meet the requirements of God.

4. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Romans 6:3-4 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Subject – believer, repent, confess Not: Infant
Acts 8: Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

6. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Subject – believer, repent, confess Not: Infant
Purpose – salvation, forgiveness, wash away sins
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

7. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Subject – believer, repent, confess
Purpose – salvation, forgiveness, wash away sins
Your baptism is not baptism if:
Your baptism was sprinkling or pouring, instead of burial

8. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Subject – believer, repent, confess
Purpose – salvation, forgiveness, wash away sins
Your baptism is not baptism if:
Your baptism was sprinkling or pouring, instead of burial
Your baptism was not because of your personal faith and confession of that faith

9. Three Essentials for Baptism
Mode – burial, immersion Not: sprinkling, pouring
Subject – believer, repent, confess
Purpose – salvation, forgiveness, wash away sins
Your baptism is not baptism if:
Your baptism was sprinkling or pouring, instead of burial
Your baptism was not because of your personal faith and confession of that fait
Your baptism was for some other purpose than the forgiveness of sins

10. Baptized but not immersed?
Many call sprinkling or pouring – baptism
The Bible usage is very different
Baptism is always – an immersion, burial in water
Colossians 2:12 buried with Him in baptism
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death

11. Baptized but not immersed?
Many have been “baptized” as an infant
An infant can not believe, repent or confess
Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

12. Immersed but not baptized?
The purpose of baptism is also important
Acts 2:38 – for the remission of sins
Acts 16:22 – wash away sins
Acts 3:19 – sins blotted out
Mark 16:16 – saved
1 Peter 3:21 – baptism saves us

13. Were you immersed in water?
Have you been baptized?
Not asking about the general usage in religious world today.
I am asking – Have you been baptized as God has given instruction in the New Testament?
Were you immersed in water?

14. Was it based on your faith, repentance and confession of that faith?
Have you been baptized?
Not asking about the general usage in religious world today.
I am asking – Have you been baptized as God has given instruction in the New Testament?
Were you immersed in water?
Was it based on your faith, repentance and confession of that faith?

15. Have you been baptized?
Not asking about the general usage in religious world today.
I am asking – Have you been baptized as God has given instruction in the New Testament?
Were you immersed in water?
Was it based on your faith, repentance and confession of that faith?
Did you request baptism for the purpose of seeking forgiveness of your sins?

16. Baptism
Or Not?