1. Reasons to get Baptized
Luke 7:29-30
-I hope this lesson wil give you some information to think about if you haven't been sure about baptism.
Or if you are a Christian I hope that this gives you some information to use.
Luke 7:29-30, we need to be sure we don't reject the counsel of God and indeed follow what He says, believing that what He says is true and not what we think.

2. Opinions abound Baptism is just an outward sign of being saved.
It doesn’t mean immersion
It means holy spirit baptism
It’s something you do to infants/children
That’s your interpretation
It isn’t really required…
First, some opinions that I've heard through the years and have know exist in the world.
All different kinds of reasons and excuses people give or teachings they believe, instead of letting God teach them.

3. Other opinions...
A declaration of faith in Jeus of Nazareth as God's Messiah. Either done in faith personally or in faith on your behalf as an infant! -peterpam (Sept 3, 2007)
Depends on when you are baptized. I was baptized as an infant, so it was a catholic ritual. If you are baptized as an adult, you are showing a choice and commitment to a faith. -Nelson (Aug 29, 2007)
To have the Original sin (Adam and Eve) taken away, you confirm your beliefs when you are older.... Confirmation. -Worzel (Aug 29, 2007)
It means you have some water sprinkled on you and they say some words. The words lack meaning, so it means you just get wet, I guess. -Inspector Javert (Sept 3, 2007)
Some of these opinions have some truth and understanding to them but…
Let’s see what God has to say, let’s be more interested in what God says is baptism and not personal opinion or what the mother church teaches.
Looked online at some opinions that people have, and I put the date to show that these opinions are pretty recent thinking of our day and age.
-1. infant baptism of course.
-2. When? Sounds kind of reasonable
-3. A common belief by many, but not supported in the bible.
-4. Last is the most misinformed, but some truth

4. What does the bible say?
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. (ASV)
Baptism: The word baptism actually comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means ‘immersion’.
Is there any other proof to support this?
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
This is what we are truly interested in.
Simplicity of the bible statement and commands it gives.
-Basic definition that I'm sure you have heard many times, but it stands to reason, it has never changed.
-But what if you didn't know the original greek? Is there any other way to know that it means immersion?
-2 bible scripts

5. Other proof Is belief enough?
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Act 8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
You don’t need to know Greek to know that baptism is immersion.
Is belief enough?
-Looking at the context we can see that it stands to reason to go into and out of the water means the baptism involved gertting fully dunked.
-You don't need to be a scholar to know what baptism is.
-Some will deny the baptism part but grab onto the belief, but is it enough to follow one part of the bible?
-The bible shows that belief is active and connected with baptism.

6. Is belief enough?
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Act 8:13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.
Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
Act 16:34 And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.
-Show thorugh the scriptures that belief is not alone.
-Belief is folowed by baptism in these examples.
-baptism is seen as belief in God and His commands.

7. Can an infant be baptized?
Certainly they can be sprinkled and dunked in water…
Just like anybody.
Mark 16:16
1Pe 3:21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
-Certainly by the term, we can take a baby and dunk them in the water.
-Or what others do, sprink or dunk their heads.
-really anybody can be dunked in water wihtout it meaning anything. That's why Mark 16:16 says, believe and baptized.
-Their must be faith that you are doign what God says.
I peter 3 says... Answer of a good conscience, it is a realization that you sinned and that following God's commands is what will save you.

8. Is baptism a sign?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
&
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
-Is it simply a sign, of being saved?
-You have to die to sin in baptism, without baptism, there is no remission of sins. We only come to a new life after being raised, after coming up out of the waters of baptism.
-The answser Peter gives is very simple as well, and should be plain to anybody that reads it.

9. Is it holy spirit baptism?
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
-There is of course an arguement that it is open to interpretation at this it is spiritual, a baptism you can't see when you believe and are touch by the Holy Spirit,
-You can even find passages that talk about Holy Spirit baptism, but is that what it's talking about? -

10. Something we must all ask ourselves.
Act 8:36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
What hinders us from being baptized?
With all this evidence, and the command of God, we must ask ourselves then...
-What reason more do you have? Excuse? Time? Reason? Argument?
-Paul even after being healed and talked with Jesus, still needed to be baptized.
Its that answer of a good conscience.

11. A Reminder Baptism washes away our sins: We are added to the church:
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We are added to the church:
Act 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
We have fellowship with God and each other:
1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Finally,
I want to summarize things that baptism does for you when you follow it according to what God wants:
-We now have peace with God and with each other.
-No matter who we are or where we live, or what culture we are apart of, God calls us all to obey and will save anybody that obeys.
-Come now if you understand...