Christian Baptism Basics

Colin Melbourne
© 02-08 Born-Again-Christian.Info

Introduction

Four hundred and fifty years of Divine silence between the Old and New Testaments ended with the cry of God's Spirit pressing through John the Baptist. He proclaimed a new thing, a water baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet:

'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.''

And so John came, baptising in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.

John wore clothing made from camel's hair, with a leather belt round his waist and he ate locusts and wild-honey. And this was his message:

'After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Holy Bible Mk. 1:1-8 NIV

"Where did John's baptism come from?" Jesus probed the dithering religious phonies. "From Heaven or from man?"

Halleluia! It came from the mouth of Almighty God who sent John to shake up the corrupt religious crowd, and alert Israel to the first coming of The Messiah. His mission perfectly completed, John stood aside, pointing humanity to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, The Lord Jesus Christ, Almighty God in the Flesh.

I baptise with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Mk.1:8

A statement John the Baptist was created to deliver, a sentence that thrills the hearts of all true believers, and stuns the angels in Heaven. Oh how dearly God loves His creation, how much He has invested to have you holy, righteous, and blameless in His Presence forever.

Baptism is a vital tenet of Christianity, a pillar of the message of Christ, and essential for every Christian today. The enemy of your souls has tried to pervert, and subvert baptism to keep you from the truth. Satan has sent false-teachers who have endeavoured to use demonic baptismal doctrines to lead people into error and idolatry.

For example, the major pseudo-Christian cults; Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Seventh Day Adventists, and the newer International Church of Christ (ICC), all teach profound falsehoods concerning the purpose, practice, and significance of baptism. Many traditional denominations such as Anglican, Episcopalian, Methodist, and Prebyterians have also fallen into ecumenical apostasy concerning this topic.

To help you to achieve a balanced scriptural comprehension, here's a series of articles covering the basics of Christian baptism.

Born Again Baptism:

An outline of the most important baptism of all; The New Birth, which occurs when a repentant sinner genuinely receives Christ as Lord and Saviour. They are baptised BY the Holy Spirit INTO Christ, instantly becoming a child of God, righteous, blameless, and saved through simple heart-faith in Christ's finished Sacrifice. This is the actual Spiritual rebirth of the believer that is performed by God, not by man. Read more

Water Baptism:

The public symbolic outward representation of the Born Again Baptism, identifying the newly born again believer with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is done in obedience to Christ, by believers, to a born again believer signifying their prior spiritual new creation in Christ. Read more

Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

The baptism of believers by God in the Holy Spirit enduing them with power to be effective witnesses of Christ's resurrection. It can only occur subsequent to genuine salvation, but may precede or follow water-baptism. Read more

Other Biblical Baptisms:

Some people misunderstand Eph. 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism ..." The New Testament refers to at least seven baptisms. We discuss them here. Read more

Baptism Question and Answer:

Biblically sound answers to common questions concerning baptism. Read more