Fairview Baptist Church

What Is The Importance of Baptism?

Jesus set the example for us (Matthew 3:15) – Before he began his public ministry, Jesus went to John the Baptist to be baptized and told John, “It is proper that we do this.”

Baptism Faith & Message - Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience picturing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.

What does the word Baptism actually mean? – The Greek word “baptidzo” means to immerse or to dip. An interesting situation occurred when the Greek text of the Bible was translated into English. The translators chose to transliterate “baptidzo” letter by letter and form the new English word “baptism”.

The Pictures of Baptism - There is nothing special, unique, or different about the water we use in the baptistery. It is the same water we drink, cook with, and wash with. The water merely helps develop the “Pictures of Baptism”.
The First Set of Pictures - “What Jesus Did”:
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

1. As the New Believer stands in the water, it pictures Christ’s death upon the Cross.
2. As the New Believer goes under the water, it pictures Christ’s burial in the grave.
3. As the New Believer comes up out of the water, it pictures Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
The Second Set of Pictures - “How We Identify with Christ”:
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor. 5:17

1. As the New Believer stands in the water, it pictures our “old sin nature” being crucified with Christ.
2. As the New Believer goes under the water, it pictures our “old sin nature” being buried with Christ.
3. As the New Believer comes up out of the water, it pictures our “new life” that we now have in Christ.
Our Testimony - The New Believer publicly demonstrates faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through the obediently participating in the act of Baptism.