" Praise the Lord for that which He is about to do! "
~ Experience by which one is initiated, purified, given a new name ~
The American Heritage Dictionary-Second College Edition
The actual steps, that is the physical part, of being Baptized in water are pretty simple ~
First, a person must be born again ~
"Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."
St. Matthew 3:15 in part
"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
Secondly, Jesus himself said that He is our example ~
He was Baptized of John at the river Jordan making an outward demonstration to the people; which was a part of the fulfillment of his calling, as ours is today.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
St. John 3:5
Thirdly, you must realize that Water Baptism is also a part of your calling to show forth works of a new and better lifestyle.
By following Jesus' example of this outward demonstration of Water Baptism, you show that the old man and its works have been abandoned, making way for new works in Christ.
"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."
Romans 6:4
Bury: "To put an end to; to abandon:"
(The American Heritage Dictionary, #6)
Once you understand the importance of Water Baptism, the next step is for you to contact a pastor, minister or the leader of your own church to receive counseling and spiritual instruction on Water Baptism.
"The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."
Psalms 33:11
Finally, many church leaders may also believe differently when it comes to the actual act of Water Baptism.
Our belief is based upon Scripture and we find the Scriptures to show that total immersion in water to be the proper way of Baptism.
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:12
Bury: "To embed; sink"
(The American Heritage Dictionary, #4)
~ Jesus was baptized in water ~
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (14) But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (16) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
St. Matthew 3:13,15-16
~ Philip baptized a eunuch in water ~
"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. (38) 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. (39) 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"
Acts 8:37-39
What name shall I be Baptized in?
I have spoken to some that say that unless you are Baptized, in water, in JESUS NAME ONLY, that your salvation is on shaking ground. The Word does plainly state that all things must be done by him, and through his name. What name you should used to be baptized in is clearly a personal matter. However, if one is to follow the Word, we must examine the Titles of Baptism.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
St. Matthew 28:19
Jesus is the shared name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost ~
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)"
Acts 8:14-16
These had yet to experience the in-filling of the Holy Ghost. They were only baptized unto His name ~
"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (14) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (15) Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. (16) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
1st Corinthians 1:13-17
So as not to claim glory for baptizing anyone, Paul desired for all to baptized in the name of Jesus and not through the name of a fleshly
man.
Water Baptism Service: Which Name Is Correct?
I have sometimes explained the proper way of Water Baptism as follows: My dad, my son and I are all three one in that we share the same name. If a person were to be baptized in our name they would use the name of Stewart.
The words Father, Son and Holy Ghost are Titles - not names. Therefore, to baptize a person properly one would want to know what name the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost share. Since there are so many divisions amongst people who claim to be Believers / Christians, I use the following in performing a Water Baptism.
Baptismal Steps ~
I have been commanded by the Holy Scriptures to baptize you, as a "Believer" in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Therefore, I baptize you in the name of Jesus who is also known as Yahshua the Messiah.
In this way if a person is ever asked if they have been Baptized in the Name of the "Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost", they can say, "Yes." If they are asked if they have been Baptized in the name of "Jesus" they can say, "Yes." If they are asked if they have been Baptized in the name of "Yahshua” they can say, "Yes."
In this manner, I try to cover all the bases as the Apostle Paul said at one time. "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
I Corinthians 9:22
House of Prayer Sabbath Ministries