“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16

Answer: Yes, indeed! How could it be expressed more clearly?

“For he knoweth what manner of creature we are: he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalms 103:14.

Answer: Nor could he repay what he had stolen, as the Lord had expressly commanded in Ezekiel 33:15. God holds us responsible for what we can do, but also recognises the limits of “the dust”. He does not expect the impossible. If the criminal had been able to get down from the cross, he would have been baptised immediately. This is the only exceptional case reported in the Bible. God wanted to emphasise that no one should presume to refuse baptism.

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:5

Answer: No! There is only one true baptism. All other so-called forms of baptism are forgeries.

Remark: The devil's “self-service offer” is: “Please choose! The form is not important. What counts is the attitude.” But the Bible says: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:5 It goes on to say: “Obey the voice of the Lord that I tell you.” Jeremiah 38:20

“Jesus ... was baptised by John in the Jordan. And immediately he came up out of the water and saw the heavens opened.” Mark 1:9.10

Answer: By going under water! Note that he “came up out of the water” after the action. Jesus was baptised “in the Jordan”, not on the shore as many think. John always looked for a baptismal site where “there was plenty of water” (John 3:23) and where it was deep enough. The Bible calls on us to follow Jesus“ example (1 Peter 2:21). Any other form of baptism does not fulfil this call. The word ”baptise“ comes from the Greek word ”baptizo“. It means ”to immerse“. In the New Testament we find eight different Greek terms for the application of liquids. Among these different terms - sprinkle, empty or immerse - only the meaning ”immerse" (baptizo) is used to describe baptism.

“And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptised him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away.” Acts 8:38, 39.

Answer: No! Please note that Philip, one of the leaders of the early church, baptised the treasurer from Ethiopia by immersion, just as John had baptised Jesus. The apostle Paul warned that anyone who teaches anything other than Jesus is “accursed”. Galatians 1:8 No man, no matter how pious he may be, has the right to change God's word and commandment.

“They serve me in vain, because they teach doctrines which are nothing but commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9.

Answer: Misguided people introduced other forms of baptism in direct contradiction to God's word. Jesus says: “Why then do you transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions?” “And so you have cancelled the commandment of God for the sake of your (traditions).” Matthew 15:3.6 Worship according to human teaching is “in vain”. Imagine that! The sacred act of baptism has been changed and declared insignificant over time. It is therefore not surprising that the Bible admonishes us to “contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (believers).” Jude 3

Answer: A. Get to know God's will. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them... Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19.20

Answer: B. Believe in God's Word. “He who believes and is baptised will be saved.” Mark 16:16

Answer: C. Repentance, turning away from sin and conversion. “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 2:38 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19

“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. But if we are planted together with him unto like death, we shall be also like unto his resurrection, knowing that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might cease, that we should not henceforth serve sin.” Romans 6:4-6.

Answer: It means that the believer follows Jesus in death, burial and resurrection. The symbolism is perfect and deeply meaningful. During baptism, the eyes are closed, the hands are folded and the breath is held - as in death. This is followed by burial in water and resurrection from the watery grave to a new life in Christ. When coming up from the water, the baptised person opens their eyes, begins to breathe again and finds themselves among friends - just like at the resurrection. The big difference between Christianity and any other religion lies quite simply in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In these three acts, all that God wants to accomplish for us becomes possible. In order to keep these three important aspects alive in the memory of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial. All other forms of baptism lack the symbolism of death, burial and resurrection. Only immersion corresponds to the meaning of Romans 6:4-6

“For if anyone is willing, he is acceptable according to what he has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:12

Answer: That would be like saying that a baby should only dare to walk when it is sure it will never fall. A Christian is a newborn “infant” in Christ. That is why the experience of conversion is also called a “rebirth”. For a child of God, the ugly, sinful past no longer exists. When a person converts, God forgives and forgets their sinful past. And baptism is the symbol for the burial of this old life. We begin the Christian life as “little children”, not as adults. God judges us according to our attitude and way of life, not according to the slips that still happen to us as immature Christians.

“And now, what do you forgive? Arise and be baptised and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

Answer: Baptism is a public confession that the repentant sinner has been forgiven and cleansed by Jesus (1 John 1:9), and that his sin-laden past is behind him. After conversion, there are no more incriminating facts that can be held against a person.

Men and women struggle through life with a heavy burden of guilt. These burdens have such a devastating effect on human life that people are prepared to do almost anything to obtain forgiveness and cleansing. Many have therefore turned to psychiatrists who, as human beings, genuinely endeavour to help others. But a person finds real help when they come to Christ, who says to all who approach him: “I will do it be cleansed!” Matthew 8:3 And he not only cleanses, but crucifies the old nature of sin in man. Being buried in the water of baptism means the burial of the ugly corpse of the old, sinful life. This event is of the greatest significance because it is a public witness to the greatest provision ever made for man.

Answer: It depends on the individual. Some grasp certain things more quickly than others. But in most cases, the preparation can be made in a short time. Here are some biblical examples:

A. The Ethiopian Chancellor of the Exchequer (Acts 8:26-39) - was baptised the same day he heard the truth.
B. The jailer and his whole family in Philippi (Acts 16:23-34) - were baptised the same night they heard the truth.
C. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-18) - was baptised three days after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.
D. Kornelius (Acts 10:1-48) - was baptised the same day he heard the truth.

At the conversion:

1 God forgives us and forgets our past.
2 God miraculously transforms us into a new, spiritual being.
3 God adopts us as his own sons and daughters.

Surely no truly converted person would want to postpone baptism, whereby Christ is publicly honoured for all the miracles he performs.

Answer: God said at the baptism of his Son: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 And in the same way, God is pleased today with a person who is baptised by immersion in accordance with his commandment. Those who love the Lord will always seek to please him (1 John 3:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). Is God pleased with your baptism?

Answer: No! God makes this very clear. Note the steps:

A. All are called into one body. “... to which also you were called in one body.” Colossians 3:15
B. The church is the body. “He (Christ) is the head of the body, namely the church.” Colossians 1:18
C. We become part of this body through baptism. “For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
D. Those converted to God are added to the church. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47.

Answer:

Firstly:
Baptism itself does not change a person's heart, it is a symbol of the change that has taken place. A person can be baptised without believing, without repenting and without a new heart. He may even have been immersed following Jesus' example, but then he would simply emerge from the water as a wet sinner - still without faith, without repentance, without a new heart. Baptism is not able to create a new person or change anyone. It is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart at conversion. A person must be born of the Spirit as well as of water.

Secondly:
Baptism does not necessarily make a person feel more comfortable. Some are disappointed if they do not feel different after baptism. However, salvation is not a matter of feelings, but of faith and obedience.

Thirdly:
Baptism does not prevent a person from being tempted. The devil does not give up when a person is baptised. But Jesus is the helper of every believer. He says: “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 There is no temptation that cannot be resisted. This is the promise of Holy Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Fourthly:
Baptism is not a guarantee of salvation. It is not a magical ritual. Salvation is a free gift from Jesus when a person is born again. Baptism is a symbol of true conversion. If conversion does not precede baptism, the act is meaningless.

Answer:

Yes, Acts 19:1-5 makes it clear that rebaptism is approved in certain cases.

No! No one should be baptised (1) without knowing the truth of God, (2) and believing it, (3) without having repented and (4) having experienced conversion. No baby can meet these criteria, so no one has the right to baptise a baby. In fact, this is a disregard of God's direct instructions regarding baptism. Misguided people in the church long ago claimed that unbaptised children were lost. This does not correspond to biblical truth and accuses God of being an unjust tyrant who would destroy innocent children who die simply because negligent parents failed to have their child baptised. Such a teaching is indescribably sad. It is sad enough that little children are sprinkled with water and this is called baptism. But it is even worse to believe in the unbiblical teaching that children are lost for eternity because negligent parents have neglected their duty.

Yes, but this is neither your view nor mine. What matters is what Christ says about it. And he says that baptism is important to him. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 To reject baptism is to reject the direct counsel of God (Luke 7:29.30).

Old enough to recognise the difference between right and wrong actions and to make a well-considered decision to give their life to Christ and follow him. There are children who are ready for this at the age of 10, whereas others are not ready at 12 or 13. No age limit is mentioned in the Bible because children differ in their level of maturity and experience.

No! But rejecting baptism can cause a person to be lost because it means disobedience. Salvation is for “all those who obey HIM.” Hebrews 5:9

No! The Bible shows in Acts 10:44-48 that water baptism is necessary even if it is preceded by the baptism of the Spirit.

In Matthew 28:19 we are told to be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These are the words of Jesus, which are sacred to us. In the Acts of the Apostles, we meet believers who were baptised in the name of Jesus. The knowledge that Jesus was the Christ and Messiah meant present truth to the people of that day; that was the reason why they were baptised in his name. We believe that this is also very important for us today. When we combine the testimony of Matthew with that of the Acts of the Apostles, we baptise people in the name of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Acting according to this method prevents placing one scripture above the other.

No! You are obviously not ready to be buried in the baptismal waters, because the old life of sin has not yet died. It would be a crime to bury someone who is not dead. It is just as serious for a pastor to baptise someone whose old, sinful life has not died.

In this passage, God compares baptism with marriage. The baptised person publicly confesses that he has taken Christ's name (Christ), just as a bride publicly confesses at her wedding that she has taken her husband's name. The following rules always apply to both baptism and marriage:

A. Such an alliance should never be entered into without true love.
B. Such a covenant should never be entered into without a person deciding to be faithful to the other through thick and thin.
C. Such a step should always be taken with full awareness and understanding.
D. This step should not be delayed unnecessarily.