1. Water Baptism by Robert Woeger
Water baptism identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In The Holy Bible, there are
clear examples that new Christian converts were water baptized immediately after repenting of their sins and
believing upon Jesus, receiving Salvation through Christ, which paid the penalty for their sins. Water baptism
is an outward display of a person’s choice to follow after, and identify with Jesus Christ, burying their old sin
death nature, and being resurrected to having a new life in Jesus Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Many Christian churches today teach Salvation through Christ, but do not emphasize the importance of water
baptism. Jesus Himself instituted water baptism. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you...I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20.
“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. For more about baptism,
see my writings Baptism and Baptism With The Holy Spirit. If you have not accepted Christ, see Good News.
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. “But put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14. “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: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead
is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died,
he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be
dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in
your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments
of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your
members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:3-13. “And he said unto them, Go ye into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16. “...what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of
the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set
meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:30-34. “Then Philip opened
his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way,
they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
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. 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.” Acts 8:35-38. Water baptism confirms that
you believe upon Jesus. It is an outward declaration that you belong to Christ, and are identifying with His
death, burial, and resurrection, and no longer desire to live in the old, sinful nature, but desire new life. “I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
You may freely distribute this writing. 1 of 1 Copyright © 2013 by Robert Woeger.