What is Believer's Baptism?
Believer's Baptism is the first act of obedience of one who has professed to have trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour for the salvation of the soul.
What Believer's Baptism Is Not
Believer's Baptism is not for unbelievers. If one does not verbally profess faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, then one is not a candidate for baptism. An example of this is found in Matthew's gospel account, where we read how John the Baptist refused to baptize the unrepentant, unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees. (See Matthew 3:1-12.)
Neither is Believer's Baptism a requirement for salvation. There were many people throughout the scriptures who were saved, but not baptized: Abraham and David are used as examples of those who were saved, yet neither one was baptized. (cf. Romans 4.) Another example is the thief who was crucified along side of Jesus: Jesus said unto him, "To day, shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43); this he said as the thief hanged on a cross, dying. In either case, none of these were baptized.
What Believer's Baptism Is
Believer's Baptism is one of only two(2) church ordinences given by command of our Lord Jesus Christ, the other being the Lord's supper. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). It is, therefore, an act of obedience to our Lord's command.
The Mode of Believer's Baptism
The examples given in the Bible of anyone being baptized as a believer has only been discribed as being in the water with which each was baptized. (cf. Matthew 3:6 & 16; Acts 8:38.) Therefore, we practice baptism by immersion only.
Also, in accordance with Matthew 28:19, water baptism is to be done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is explicitly spoken by our Lord Jesus.
The Candidate for Believer's Baptism
The eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 asked Philip, a deacon of the church at Jerusalem, what hindered him from being baptized in the water he saw; Philip's reply was, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest" (Acts 8:37). In light of this statement, it is reasoned that only the person who believes the gospel of Christ with all of his or her heart, and confesses such, as did the eunuch, is a candidate for believer's baptism. (cf. Matthew 3:1-12.)
As stated, earlier, believer's baptism is for believers in Christ Jesus for salvation. When one repents and puts one's faith in Jesus, one will have no problem with obeying the Lord's command to be baptized in accordance with the scriptures.
Are You A Candidate for Believer's Baptism?
Have you put your trust in Jesus as your Saviour and never been baptized by immersion in water? If this is you, then you are a candidate for baptism. You need to follow Jesus' example and be baptized. If this is something you wish to do, why not contact us at RHBC and let us know? We would be glad to help you.