“The Start Of A New Life”

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I want to be baptized.  I don't belong to a particular church, and I would like to have a good friend of mine – a believer who has already been baptized – perform this for me.

What does he need to do to prepare himself for this?  I have tried to research this on the internet, but I haven't been able to find any kind of answer.  The only thing I can find is what I would need to do to prepare myself.

Any answer you can give me would help tremendously.  Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Ready For Water

Dear Ready For Water,

Baptism is the beginning of a new life and the most important journey of faith you will ever take.  Peter says that baptism saves us (1 Pet 3:21); he also says that we begin our lives as christian babes (1 Pet 2:2).  All you really need to know to be baptized is that it is a requirement for salvation; it only counts if it is a burial in water (not sprinkling, pouring, etc. – only immersion counts – Rom 6:3-4), and that you need to continue to grow in faith afterwards (Rom 10:17).

As for your friend that is planning on baptizing you, their job is very simple.  He should fully immerse you in water and ask you whether or not you are doing it because of faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-38).  There really isn’t any more to it.

It is a wonderful thing that you are seeking to do, and we wish you the very best.  It is important that you attach yourself to a faithful congregation, so you can grow (Heb 10:24-25), and we would be happy to help you find one in your area that teaches nothing but the Bible.  E-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will try and locate one near you.

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