Born of Water and the Spirit - Part 2

There are approximately 100 references to baptism in the New Testament. It is a clear command of Scripture that every believer and only believers be baptized as a public declaration that they have repented and are now new creatures in Christ.

The New Testament has no concept of an un-baptized Christian anymore than the Old Testament allowed for an uncircumcised Israelite. So tight was the connection between circumcision and being a Jew that anyone who was not circumcised was to be “cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant" (Genesis 17:14). This explains why baptism is at times referred to synonymously with salvation.

The great commission and only commission that the risen and ascended Christ gave to his church was to make disciples and to baptize them. This is not an academic discussion but a key component to the growth of the church. Therefore if we are to carry out his commission then it is important that we understand why believers are to be baptized.