The second motive is love for Jesus Christ. Love has no meaning unless it is put into action. In John 14:15 the Bible says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." If we are really saved and we love the Lord we will not hesitate to follow the Lord in Baptism as soon as possible as a proof of our love.

The third motive is for our personal benefit. The Bible records the story of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:35-39. Notice what is says:
"Then Philip opened his mouth, ancl began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 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 Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more. and he went on his way rejoicing."

The Bible says after he was baptized that he went on his way rejoicing. When we are obedient in Baptism it does bring joy to our lives. To disobey robs us of the joy of the Lord.

"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

Baptism: My Next Step

Baptism can only be performed in one way. In the Bible no one was ever baptized except by immersion of the body under water. The very word "baptism" literally means to dip, to plunge, to submerge, or to immerse. Nowhere in the Bible is sprinkling of babies or adults taught. Notice how the Bible records that Jesus was baptized by immersion in the River of Jordan.
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice .from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16, 17

 

Baptism shows our death, burial and resurrection with Christ. Baptism pictures the death of the old man before we were saved, burial of the old life, and the resurrection of a new life to be lived for the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice Romans 6 :3-5 and see how God speaks of baptism.
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Now that you know the importance of baptism, why not make a real commitment to follow Christ in this great step. Please present yourself as a candidate for Baptism and experience the joy of obedience to Christ.

 

THE MOTIVE FOR BAPTISM

 

There are three basic motives for being baptized: obedience, love and joy. After salvation God gives us a wonderful command. That command is to follow Christ in Baptism. Baptism is the first step of obedience for the new believer in Christ. Be sure to take this blessed step of obedience. I have never known one Christian to grow in Christ or to be blessed of God who did not obey God in believer's baptism. Our first motive then is obedience to God's command.

THE METHOD OF BAPTISM

 

THE MEANING OF BAPTISM

 

Bible Baptist Church Malta