Bible Study to Prepare for Baptism

Why Should I be Baptized?

Let’s take a look at an actual Baptism in the Bible in order 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?
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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?
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The Bible says Philip told him “the Good News about Jesus”. What does that
mean? Do you know what he meant by “the Good News about Jesus”? In the
Bible, the term “Gospel” literally means “Good News”. We are going to look at a
scripture that better explains the gospel, “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 Christ died for our sins 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?
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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 water 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 faith 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 name 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 sin 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 resurrection?

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 the Lord 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
salvation.

Your Baptism also illustrates your New Life in Christ

Romans 6:4 – “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”