Why do we need baptism?
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We Need Baptism
Why does everyone need baptism?
All have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. Romans 3:23 (NCV)
What was the result of Adam’s sin?
Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Jesus] the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19 (NIV)
Why do even babies need baptism?
Even inside the womb wicked people are strangers to God. From their birth liars go astray. Psalm 58:3 (GW)
Indeed, I was born guilty. I was a sinner when my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 (GW)
What is our spiritual condition because of failure and sin?
You were once dead because of your failures and sins. Ephesians 2:1 (GW)
What is our understanding of God’s Word without the Spirit?
But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
What kind of relationship does our sinful nature have with God?
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. Romans 8:7 (NLT)
Baptism Treasures
What treasures does baptism give us?
Baptism… now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. 1 Peter 3:21 (GW)
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word. Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV)
However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life. Titus 3:4-7 (GW)
Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
What are you waiting for now? Get up! Be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.’ Acts 22:16 (GW)
Baptism for All
Who is baptism for?
So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (GW)
No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 (GW)
“Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:14 (NCV)
Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God. Acts 2:38-39 (NLT)
During this era, it was common for three generations to live together in a family – certainly including children:
Lydia and her family were baptized. Acts 16:15 (GW)
The jailer and his entire family were baptized immediately. Acts 16:33 (GW)
Many Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 (GW)
I also baptized Stephanas and his family. 1 Corinthians 1:16 (GW)
Church history also substantiates the baptism of infants. Early Christian writings indicate infants of Christian parents were baptized from the time of the apostles.
Origen (230-250 A.D.) tells that from the time of the Apostles, infants were baptized (Commentary on Romans 5:9). In his Homilies on Leviticus 8:3, he notes “baptism was given according to the custom of the church to infants also.”
Hippolytus (died 253 A.D.) remarks that an Easter Baptism ceremony included children who couldn’t talk as well as adult men and women.
Infant baptism was practiced and not questioned significantly for over 1500 years.
Who puts faith in the hearts of infants and little children?
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. Psalm 22:9 (NIV)