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Bible Study to Prepare for Baptism

Why Should I be Baptized?

Let’s take a look at an actual Baptism in the in to answer that question and others that you might have.

Read Acts 8:26 -40

As you read verses 28 – 29; what is the Eunuch studying while riding in his chariot? ______

Does He understand what he is reading? (vs.30-31)______

According to verses 34 – 35 after the Eunuch asked questions, what did Philip begin to talk to him about? ______

The Bible says Philip told him “the Good News about ”. What does that mean? Do you know what he meant by “the Good News about Jesus”? In the Bible, the term “” literally means “Good News”. We are going to look at a scripture that better explains , “Good News” that Philip was talking about.

1 Corinthians 15:1 - 4 – “Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that died for our according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”.

According to these verses, what is “The Gospel” (the good news) about Jesus Christ? ______

Other verses that will help you- Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, Romans 10:9-13

Now that we understand “the good news” that Philip was talking about, let’s go back and continue our story. Acts 8:36 – 40

The Eunuch after hearing Philip explain the Good News (the Gospel) noticed some and asked, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized”?

As you can see from the story, baptism didn’t happen first. It didn’t come until after the Eunuch had heard the good news about Jesus Christ and he believed that Christ not only was the Son of God but He also died for his sins, was buried and rose again the third day.

Your answer to these questions determines whether or not you are ready to be baptized:

Do you believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins and was buried and rose again the third day? ______

Have you personally placed your in Jesus as your Savior? ______

Here is another verse that describes when a person is ready to be baptized.

Acts 8:12 – “ But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the of Jesus Christ, they were baptized.”

Baptism isn’t what saves a person, only your faith in Jesus can do that. Baptism doesn’t wash your sins away, only trusting Jesus sacrifice on your part can do that. Here are several verses to help give you a greater understanding.

John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast”.

I believe that after you have read these verses you will have a very clear understanding that there is only one way to God and that is through trusting in His Son Jesus as your Savior. God is very clear that you can’t add anything to His Son’s payment for your or take anything away from it. It’s all about what Jesus did for you.

If you have trusted in Christ as your Savior then you are ready to be baptized just like the Eunuch did.

Let’s go back and finish the story in Acts 8:36 – 39. Now, when they see the water and the Eunuch asks to be baptized, notice what they do next.

They both went down into the water and Philip baptized him there. Then, they came up out of the water. We believe that he was baptized by immersion. That means that when he got baptized he was immersed under the water. We believe that immersion was the way that the Eunuch and even Jesus was baptized.(Matthew 3:16)

Can you see how baptism done in this manner gives a clear illustration of Christ’s death, burial and ?

Baptism involves identification. Baptism as a Christian means that you have fully committed your life to Jesus Christ and that you want to be identified with Him. This is why Liberty only baptizes those who have expressed a personal faith in Christ.

Baptism allows you an opportunity to declare openly your faith in Christ. Before a person gets baptized at Liberty they must publicly confess their faith in Christ.

Lastly, since commands all his followers to be baptized, your obedience to the Lord encourages others to also obey Him. Matthew 28: 18-20

Who can be Baptized? Anyone that is old enough to understand what Jesus did for them and then personally chooses to believe and place their faith in Christ alone for their .

Your Baptism also illustrates your New Life in Christ :4 – “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life”