Water Baptism

Water Baptism is a Holy act commanded by Jesus Christ for every believer in which you are plunged or immersed under water. On your part it is an act of obedience and faith. You identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, (Acts 2:38,39 / Acts 10:48)

Is it necessary to be immersed?
The greek word "Bapto " is translated "Baptise" and means to dip something into a fluid and take it out, to be completely covered. Nowhere in the New Testament Church did they practice sprinkling of believers. Jesus himself went into the water to be baptized by John.

If I was baptized as an infant, why do I need to be baptized again?
Jesus said in Mark 16:16 that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Believing must come first. You must be old enough to understand the Gospel before you can be baptized. There is no commandment nor example of infant baptism in the Bible.

If I was baptized in another church do I need to be baptized in Church of God Makati?
Water Baptism is performed upon the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus. If you were baptized based upon your confession of faith in Jesus then you do not need to be baptized again, unless you were baptized in one of the cults, such as Jehovah's witnesses or Mormons.

Should I be baptized again if I backslide?
This again is a voluntary issue. The Bible does not say you must. If you choose to do so you may, however, your first baptism should be sufficient provided you were baptized based upon your faith in Christ.

Who should be Water Baptized?
Our identity is changed because we are baptized into the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We now bear His name before the world, Matthew 28:19

Everyone who has repented of his sins and turned to Christ should be baptized in water. Jesus commanded his disciples to go and preach and make disciples in Matthew 28:19, He also commanded that they baptize in water. In Acts 8: 12 when they believed the preaching of Philip they were all Water Baptized.

How does Water Baptism give us identification with Christ?
When you repent of your sins, turn to Christ you share the benefits of death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Gal 3:27, Rom 6:3-4.

What are the benefits of Water Baptism?
In a true experience of Water Baptism in faith the following covenant realities are seated to you as an individual believer:

a.Your sins are put away or remitted, “remitted” means they are forgiven and separated from us.

b. Your old man (self) is buried with Jesus in his death. The Bible refers to your life as a sinner as an "old man". Romans 6:6

c. You experience a new life. Romans 6:5,11

d. We receive a new identity as Christians.

* These verses show us that just as Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead so you, too have this experience through the new birth by the Holy Spirit.

* The act of Water Baptism identifies you with Christ going into the water (the death) going under the water (the burial) coming out of the water (the resurrection).

* The Bible describes this as new life. You cannot successfully live the new life without burying the old life.

* When Water Baptism is experienced by faith it will produce life-changing effects if it is done with sincere obedience to God and faith in God's word.