Scripture Reading: Go ye 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

Summary: Believers in Jesus Christ are commanded to be baptized by water. This obedient act of immersion under water symbolizes death, resurrection and the changed spiritual life that occurs through the actual cleansing of the blood of Jesus.

Definition of Baptism: From the Greek word baptizo which means to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to overwhelm.

I. A Divine Command

A. Mark 16:15-16 Baptize all believers.
B. Acts 2:38 Instructed by Peter.

II. Taught by John / Exemplified By Christ

A. Mark 1:4-5 John preaches the baptism of repentance.
B. Matthew 3:16-17 Jesus baptized by John the Baptist.

III. Practiced By the Early Church

A. Acts 2:41 Day of Pentecost.
B. Acts 8:12 Samaritan converts.
C. Acts 8:35-39 The Ethiopian.
D. Acts 9:17-18 The apostle Paul.
E. Acts 10:44-48 Household of Cornelius.
F. Acts 16:14-15 Lydia of Thyatira.
G. Acts 16:30-33 Keeper of the prison.
H. Acts 18:8 The Corinthians.
I. Acts 19:1-7 Disciples at Ephesus.

IV. Baptize “In the Name Of”

A. Matthew 28:19 The Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.
B. Acts 2:38 In the name of Jesus Christ.
C. Acts 10:48 In the name of the Lord.

V. Qualifications for Baptism

A. Acts 2:38 Repentance.
B. Acts 2:41 Receive the Word.
C. Acts 8:37 Belief. (see also: Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8)

VI. Symbolism of Baptism

A. Romans 6:3-4 Death, burial, and resurrection.
B. Colossians 2:12 Buried and risen with Christ.

VII. Full Immersion

A. By definition of baptizo.
B. Mark 1:5 Baptized in the river.
C. John 3:22-23 John baptized where there was much water.
D. Acts 8:38 Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water.

VIII. Purpose of Baptism

A. 1 Peter 3:21 Testimony of a good conscience.
B. Acts 2:41-42 Identify with the church.

Conclusion:

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water…the eunuch…went on his way rejoicing.  —Acts 8:38-39