Baptism - The First Step After Salvation
by Pastor Lawrence DiNovo, 2001
"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 is our "pledge of allegiance to Christ"
After salvation, God gives the believer a wonderful command. The command is to follow the Lord Jesus in baptism.
Baptism is the first step of obedience for the new believer. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) I have never known any Christian to grow in Christ who did not obey God and partake of the believer's baptism.
Baptism proves your love for God.
The act of baptism involves a personal obligation on the part of the believer.
1. THE MOTIVE FOR BAPTISM
Obedience
Love Joy
2. THE METHOD OF BAPTISM
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Baptism can only be performed in one way. Whenever anyone was baptized in the New Testament, it was done by immersion. The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek word, 'baptizo,' which means "to immerse, to dip."
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3. THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
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Baptism shows our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. Baptism pictures the death of the old man (our former selves, our former lives) before we were saved and the resurrection of our new life to be lived for the Lord Jesus Christ. Read Romans 6:3-5.
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4. THE MISNOMERS ABOUT BAPTISM
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 Baptism takes away original sin.Not True: "...without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin." Hebrews 9:22
Baptism is to be performed by sprinkling or pouring.Not True: Baptism comes from the Greek word meaning "immersion." Immersion is the only method that pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Baptism can be done on babies.Not True: Baptism is reserved ONLY for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. "They that gladly received the Word were baptized." Acts 2:41
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***All Scripture verses are from the King James Bible unless otherwise noted.***