- Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person who is baptized a sign of his fellowship with him in his death and resurrection;1 of his being engrafted into Christ; of remission [forgiveness] of sins;2 and, of his giving up of himself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.3
1 Rom 6.3-5; Col 2.12; Gal 3.27 2 Mk 1.4; Acts 22.16 3 Rom 6.2, 4
- Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper [rightful] subjects of this ordinance.4
4 Mk 16.16; Acts 8.36-37
- The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the person is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.5
5 Mt 28.19-20 with Acts 8.38
- Immersion, or dipping of the person in water,6 is necessary for the due [proper or rightful] administration of this ordinance.
6 Mt 3.16; Jn 3.23
