BIG IDEA: The signs, recipients, proper mode, and duty following water baptism, as revealed by God in the Scriptures.

I) The Scriptures speak of John’s Water Baptism of repentance, to prepare the way for Christ (Matthew 3:11a; Matthew 3:5-6).

II) The Scriptures speak of Holy Spirit Baptism, which Christ will give to all who come to faith in Him (Matthew 3:11b).

III) The Scriptures speak of Judgement Baptism, which Christ will give to all who remain in their sins (Matthew 3:11c-12).

IV) The Scriptures speak of Christ’s Water Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17).

V) In addition, the Scriptures speak of a Baptism of Suffering (Mark 10:35-40).

VI) The Scriptures also speak of Christian Water Baptism (Matthew 28:19).

I. WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM A SIGN OF? (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 22:14-16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:18)

I) Water baptism is a sign of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

II) Water baptism is also a sign of the saints’ union with Christ by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4)

III) Water baptism is also a sign of the saints’ old self—which was a sinner in Adam—being buried with Christ, and our new self—which is now righteous in Christ—being alive by the working of the Triune God (Romans 6:3-4).

IV) Water baptism is also a sign of our sins being washed away by faith in Christ (Acts 22:14-16; Acts 2:38).

V) Water baptism is also a sign of our rescue from the wrath of God by faith in Christ (1 Peter 3:21).

II. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED IN WATER? (The Baptist Catechism Q.101-102).

Q.101. To whom is Baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ; and to none other. (Acts 2:38; Matt. 3:6; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36; Acts 10:47-48)

Q.102. Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized; because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures, or certain consequence from them, to baptize such. (there are no Scriptures cited, for reasons detailed in the answer)

III. HOW SHOULD WE BAPTIZE IN WATER? (The Baptist Catechism Q.103)

Q. 103. How is Baptism rightly administered?
A. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)

IV. WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTLY BAPTIZED IN WATER? (The Baptist Catechism Q.104)

Q. 104. What is the duty of those who are rightly baptized?
A. It is the duty of those who are rightly baptized to give up (join) themselves to some visible and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Acts 2:46-47; Acts 9:26; 1 Peter 2:5; Heb. 10:25; Rom. 16:5)