1. Does it Matter What You Believe?
Is Baptism Essential?
Does it Matter What You Believe?

2. Does it Matter What You Believe?
It does matter what we believe:
It is the difference between Truth and Error
It dictates our actions now and in the future
It affects the way we serve God and how we follow His commands

3. Is Baptism Essential? God’s relationship with humankind:
At present most people are opposed to God’s purpose
God wants men and women to be part of His plan for the earth
He wants a “covenant relationship”: relationship based upon a promise – a promise for the future

4. Is Baptism Essential?
In this presentation we will consider why Baptism is essential:
What is Baptism?
What leads a person to Baptism?
What does Baptism represent?
Why be Baptised?
What happens after Baptism?
Why is Baptism important?

5. What is Baptism?
Full immersion (completely covered) of the whole body in water
Bible meaning is “total burial” in water
The original word in the New Testament was “to dip or plunge” as in the dying process of a piece of cloth, hence a change in appearance
It is an act of faith in God’s purpose

6. What Leads a Person to Baptism?
A person who has an understanding of:
What God requires of a person to be obedient to Him
The change in relationship between themselves and God
The new requirements for living their life after Baptism
What Baptism represents

7. What does Baptism Represent?
Romans 6:3-5
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised 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.”

8. What does Baptism Represent?
We see therefore that baptism – that is “burial” into the water, represents a symbollic death and burial of the “old life” where we would serve sin
Rising from the waters after baptism symbolises a resurrection (rising from the dead), just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, so do we in baptism, rise to a “new life” in which we serve God

9. Why be Baptised? Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:5
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Baptism gives us hope of obtaining eternal life in the Kingdom of God, and is a command of Christ

10. Why be Baptised? We have two choices:
Serve God and obey His laws, recognising this gives us Hope for the future or
Serve the power of sin, understanding that this is displeasing to God, and will ultimately lead to our own destruction

11. Why be Baptised? Romans 6:20-22
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

12. What Happens After Baptism?
In baptism our past sins are “washed away”, they are forgiven by God
Acts 22:16
“…be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
We can then begin to serve God with a “clean slate”, having repented of our sins and been obedient in baptism

13. What Happens After Baptism?
A life of hard work, serving God
Clean and right living for God, avoiding sinful actions, thoughts and speech
Dedication to God’s laws
Romans 6:17-18
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

14. What Happens After Baptism?
Our responsibilities AFTER baptism:
Col. 3:1-2
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
That is try to serve God, following Christ’s example, rather than serving people on earth

15. Why is Baptism Important?
It is the Divinely (God) Instituted way to be reconciled with God and achieve a way of obtaining forgiveness for sins
(Col 2:12-13)
It means we get to start all over again
It gives us the opportunity to have a special relationship with God and Christ

16. Is Baptism Essential?
Baptism is essential and must be administered in the correct manner if we wish to please God
Only you can decide your own future