For those interested to know more about baptism.
Loftstofan Baptistakirkja Baptism Class
Why should you get baptised?
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” -Matthew 28:18-20
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” -Acts 2:37-41
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” -Acts 22:16
To obey what Jesus tells us to do.
To bear the evidence that a person is a follower of Jesus.
To follow the example of Jesus.
Baptism isn’t merely a responsibility but a privilege. We have the opportunity to celebrate what Jesus has done in our lives, and we get baptised to point to that great reality.
While with baptism and the reality it points to, mainly dying to yourself comes with a cost, the reward is always worth it.
The desire to be baptised should be motivated by a desire to love and enjoy God in faithful obedience, and wanting to identify with God and his people, any other reason to get baptised, be it to join a local church, or to do it for a friend or a family member should not be considered legitimate.
Who should get baptised?
Loftstofan Baptistakirkja believes that baptism is reserved only for those who have received the benefits of the new birth, and have become followers of Jesus.
We practice what’s referred to as a “believers baptism”, meaning that baptisms are only reserved for those who have confessed Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord of life and have repented and given themselves over to live a life of repentance, always running to Jesus when we fail.
This means that we don’t view baptism of infants as a biblical baptism, nor do we view someone getting baptised without having genuine faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior or have repentance as a biblical baptism, so we do not want to use the terminology of getting “rebaptised” but rather simply getting baptised.
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” -Acts 2:41
“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” -Acts 8:12
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” -Galatians 3:27
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” -Romans 6:1-7
When Should a person be baptised?
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” -Acts 22:16
As soon as a person has put their faith in Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior they should be baptised, the Bible does not speak of anybody delaying baptism, in all accounts in the Bible baptism seems to happen quickly after coming to faith… Baptism should be conducted somewhat immediately as long as an opportunity is available.
Do not let fear be a reason for delaying your baptism, letting fear control rather than the word of God is sin, and confronting sin is an essential part of discipleship and a life of following Jesus, so use this as an opportunity to confront sin head on.
Also do not let fear of not being good enough be a reason you delay baptism. There will never be a time when any person is good enough, we enter into baptism not because we’re good or righteous, but simply because Jesus is righteous and has died with our shame to clothe us in his glory and righteousness.
How should a person be baptised?
Loftstofan does baptism by immersion for three particular reasons:
The Greek Word for baptism (baptizo) literally means to plunge, submerge or immerse.
It was a term used to describe sinking ships, and immersing something in water or another liquidThe representation of union in Christs death and resurrection is best expressed through immersion.
Whether buried below or above ground, the symbolism of burial is still that of being placed UNDER something. Likewise, resurrection is accomplished by coming out of something (be it grave or tomb). Immersion best symbolises this reality by actually placing the believer under the water and bringing them out.
Also, it is interesting to note the use of water to symbolise judgement in the Bible (the flood of Noah in Genesis 6-7, the destruction of Egypt by the Red Sea of Exodus 14). So by passing through the waters the believer expresses that the judgement of God has been fulfilled and satisfied in Jesus.
“having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” -Colossians 2:12-15
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” -Romans 6:1-7The surrounding context of baptisms in the Bible suggests baptism by immersion.
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;” -Matthew 3:16
“And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins… And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” -Mark 1:5, 10
“John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized” -John 3:23
“And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” -Acts 8:38-39
Where should a person be baptised?
The Bible is not clear on this, but we tend to do it if at all possible during Sunday services so that the family of God can celebrate together what God has done, and be edified by this symbol of God’s great work in your life.
Last Considerations
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:21
Have you accepted the great gift of Jesus as your Savior, him alone and not of your works? Have you surrendered your life to let him lead you, by His Spirit and by His Word the Bible?
“eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” -Ephesians 4:3-6
There is one baptism, are you sure you have not been baptised before?
“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” -1 Peter 3:21-22
Do you realise that it is not the act of baptism that saves you, not the water as it washes your body, but what it symbolises, that is, an appeal to God for a good conscience.
Lastly, these are the questions that will be asked during the baptism, can you answer them in an affirming way?
Do you take God the Father to be your chiefest good and your highest end?
Do you take God the son to be your prince and Savior?
Do you take God the Holy Spirit to be your sanctifier, teacher, guide and comforter?
Do you take the Word of God to be your highest authority and rule in all your actions?
Do you take the people of God to be your people in all conditions?
Lastly, do you confess this deliberately, sincerely and freely?