What is Baptism?

The word baptism comes from a Greek word

(baptizo), which means, “to immerse.” Baptism is a
ceremony in which a Christian is immersed in water
before the church to publically symbolize their
belief in Jesus Christ.
 What does Baptism symbolise? 3 
Or don’t you know
that all of us who
"having been buried with him in baptism and were baptized into
raised with him through your faith in the power Christ Jesus were
of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians baptized into his
2:12 NIV death? 4 We were
therefore buried
with him through
baptism into
It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, death in order
buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old that, just as Christ
life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.To be was raised from
baptised in water is a public demonstration or confession of faith in the Lord the dead through
Jesus Christ. It is a practical demonstration of a spiritual reality that has the glory of the
already taken place in the heart of the believer. Father, we too may
live a new life.
Romans 6: 3-4
 Public decoration
of what you plan
to do
There is only so long
that you can sit on the
fence
A point in a Christians
life when they turn
round and say ‘this is it’
This is serious for
me
This is the way I am
going to live my life
What keyword beginning with the letter ‘C’ can be used to summarise
Living for It's like saying to
Him (God) God ‘let’s bring it’
For me it is ‘the
big start’ of the
little journey.. ‘A
Some kick off’ if you
like
keywords/phrases
used to describe Invite people to
baptism say ‘this is who
I am’
So i know that
This is the choice I there is no going
have made back now
I need that kind of
‘line in the sand’
What is the symbolism of Believers’ baptism
Three Key facts and misconceptions:
1. Baptism does not wash away sins
2. Baptism does not make a person a child of God
or a Christian
3. Baptism is only an outward/public declaration
of faith in and commitment to Jesus.

Baptism is a mark of identification:

a) Identifying with the death, burial, and
resurrection of Christ into a new life
b) Identify officially as a member of the Church
 Who should be baptised?

Key terms:

● Infant baptism

● Believers baptism
❏ We learnt what baptism is; What is
baptism?
❏ We examined the symbolism of
baptism: What does baptism signify?
❏ We also identified two
misconceptions about baptism- what
baptism is not. What are they?
1. Baptism does not ……
2. Baptism does not make …. Who should
❏ We learnt that baptism represent two be baptised?
kinds of identification. What are
they?
❏ In baptism, the believer identifies
with ……..
❏ Through baptism the believer
Requirements for water Baptism: A personal knowledge and
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only requirement for water
baptism. When you received the Lord Jesus Christ by faith (born
again), you took part in his death, burial and resurrection (born
again). In other words, you became alive to God and a child of God
(John 1:10 - 12).
Water baptism simply signifies what has already taken place in
your life.
 Why do some Churches baptise infants? What two key
arguments for infant baptism are suggested by the images
below?
1. To wash away
the Adamic sin
nature 2. To officially
welcome the
infant into the
Christian
community/
Church
Should infants be baptised?- Arguments in favour of
infant baptism
Infant Baptism is the practice of
baptising infants or young children. This
is mainly practiced amongst Catholic,
Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist and the
United reform Church Christians. These
churches argue that everyone need to be
saved because of the original sin and
infants baptism removes original sin.
Infant baptism also signals the welcoming
of the child into the Church.

What are the two key arguments?

Do you agree with the above argument?

 What does the text below suggest about who qualifies to
be baptised? Give reasons for your answer.

❏ Based on the above text,

He(Jesus) said to them, “Go into all
15 
who should be baptised
the world and preach the gospel to all
and why?
creation. 16 Whoever believes and is ❏ Should a person who is
baptized will be saved, but whoever not a Christian be
does not believe will be condemned. baptised? Why?
Mark 16:15-16 ❏ Can you baptise an
unbeliever to convert him
to Christianity?
❏ Should infants be
baptised?
❏ What is believer's
baptism?
 ‘Infants should not be baptised’. Evaluate this
statement [12 marks]
State your first point or reason here

What did Jesus say about who

should be baptised? Write it here.
Many Christians believe infants
should not be baptised because
…………….. Restate what Jesus said in your
………………................. own words to expand on it
They believe this because Jesus
Link back to the key
said………………………………… point and the
…… statement
This means
that……………………..
…………………………………… Why is the above argument weak
……… or strong? Explain it here
Therefore infant baptism is
……………………………………
07/12/2020
………