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The word baptize comes from the from the Greek word βάπτειν, which means "to immerse". For two thousand years, Christians have been immersed in water to demonstrate their obedience to the words of Jesus, who instructed his followers to be baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Bible records that the apostles baptized all new converts in the name of Jesus Christ.
 Baptism in Tanzania using a cow trough |
 Baptism in Siberia through the ice |
 Baptism in the Philippines in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. |
Baptism symbolizes a Christian's participation in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. It demonstrates submission to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and is also an acceptance of the promise of eternal life.
Why must Christians be Baptized?
 Baptism in the Black Sea, Ukraine. Jesus commanded it.
- Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
Baptism was taught and practiced by Jesus' Disciples (the Apostles)
- Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
The Apostle Peter said this doctrine was applicable to all Christians - in every century.
- For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
Baptism is God's instruction for us. It is not wise to reject this instruction
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)
- But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (Luke 7:30)
Baptism is identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 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: (Romans 6:3-5)
Should Christians be Immersed?
 Immersion in a Philippine Jail. Full Immersion is the only Biblical method of Baptism.
The Greek word for baptize (βάπτειν) means to fully immerse something in a fluid. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that the word is derived from bapto, meaning to dip, and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another. Vine's also sets forth the noun form as follows: "baptisma ... baptism, consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip)."
Consider also the following scriptures:
- At that time Jesus...was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water... (Mark 1:9-10)
- Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (John 3:23)
The fact that baptism is to be by full immersion is further validated by its being likened biblically to a burial.
- We were therefore buried with him through baptism. (Rom. 6:4)
- Having been buried with him in baptism. (Col. 2:12)
In what Name should Christians be baptized?
 Baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in India. Christians shoudl be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Mat. 28:19)
- The name of the Father is Lord.
- I am the LORD; that is my name! (Isa. 42:8)
- The LORD who formed it the earth and established it— the LORD is his name. (Jer. 33:2)
- The name of the Son is Jesus.
- She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21)
- The name Christ (Greek: Christos), frequently applied to Jesus, is the name wherein the Holy Spirit, the anointing, is identified.
- Christ [Greek: Christos] in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)
- The Name of the Father (Lord), and of the Son (Jesus), and of the Holy Spirit (Christ) cannot be separated into separate persons.
- God hath made ... Jesus... both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
- Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all). (Acts 10:36)
Christians should therefore be baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, which is in the Name is the Lord Jesus Christ. The words 'Father', 'Son', and 'Holy Spirit' are not names (or one Name), but are titles reflecting various attributes of God.
The following scriptures record actual baptisms in the New Testament:
- Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38)
- ...and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized... (Acts 8:12)
- They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:16)
- Be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:48)
- That is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(Acts 19:4b,5)
In the 'great commission,' Jesus said, "In my name they will drive out demons...they will place their hands on sick people." The apostles did this by invoking the name, speaking aloud his name. The same should be done at water baptism.
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