This week Pastor Andy speaks about the Purpose of Water Baptism. God is a purpose-driven God. He has a purpose for everything He makes, does and has us do. The Bible is a living book that reveals His purpose for things, people, actions and situations. It’s good for us to have an understanding of God’s purpose for things so that we can get from them what we should. Water Baptism is not a ceremony, religious event, or just something a person does without knowing why.

The key reason to get baptised is obedience. Baptism is something Jesus commands every believer to do as a part of a salvation experience. Baptism was also a key part of the Great Commission where He sent His first disciples out and this has not changed even to this day. Matthew 28:19 (ESV) states ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. 

Mark 16:16 (ESV) states ‘Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’. Acts 2:38 (ESV) states ‘And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised 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”’.

From these verses we conclude that Baptism is not a suggestion to some but a requirement for all.  It is something that accompanies a person’s repentance - turning to God. It involves the full immersion in water of consenting adults. There is no Biblical pattern for the christening of children. The Hebrew word for ‘baptise’ is baptizō meaning to submerge or overwhelm.

There are three purposes that God has for Baptism

• Unhindered New Beginnings providing burial of ‘the old creation’ which we were prior to salvation. Passing through the water represents a funeral experience. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6:1-4 refer
• Complete Freedom for the believer from the grip or obligation to the past and to past or former things. A great example is the children of Israel at the Red Sea when they passed through the water and their enemies were drowned (Exodus 14). Just as captors of the children of Israel drowned in the waters, a believer can experience supernatural freedom from things like addictions, guilt, curses and fears
• Provision of a Clear Conscience before God. The devil loves to condemn and accuse and is called the Accuser of Brethren (Romans 12:10). However, God provides a clear conscience for the believer. 1 Peter 3:21 and 1 Corinthians 4:4 refer

The requirements for a person to be Baptised are Repentance, Faith, Understanding, Obedience and a place where there is enough water to be fully submerged. Baptism is not a religious moment but a meaningful one. It is not about what you wear and where you do it. It involves faith and the revelation of what God is doing at the moment. It is a public display to all that you are a follower of Jesus.