Ready to be Baptized But Uncertain
Recently, I received an email from one of my blog readers. She is a truth-seeker. She is ready to be baptized but she’s uncertain how to proceed.
In part, she writes, “I’m ready to be baptized to the right church but I haven’t found anyone who can answer my question.”
I have included her statement here because I suspect that many more readers have identical concerns.
Therefore, by answering her question here, I’m providing answers for many other truth-seekers with this one Bible Study.
However, implied in the statement and title above is the concern, what church should I get baptized in?
Consequently, I will deal with these twin questions.
What is the Church?
When I speak about the Church, I’m talking about the group that followed Christ and any unit that continues to adhere to their teachings.
Jesus instructs Peter and us “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Jesus used the word “church” above which means “called out”. It’s a group of people whom he has called out of the world.
Therefore, Jesus tells his apostles, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19; John 17:6, 9).
Christ calls us to follow him. Anyone who hears any biblical, yes, it must be from the Bible, sermon and repents and then turns to God has heard and answered the call of God.
Therefore, it’s the doctrines, principles, and practices of any group of people which determine whether or not such a unit is a constituent of the church.
There is Only One Church.
The people of the world don’t know the Church. They call any religious group of people The Church.
A few of them think that the building where the saints meet regularly is the church.
And many more of them think that The Roman Catholic Church (RCC), is the Church that Christ formed.
But werever the called-out congregate we will find the church.
Jesus instructs Peter and us that there is just one church (Matthew 16:18).
Therfore, observe how Jesus emphasizes “my church”. He didn’t say my churches.
So, when the word “church” refers to the body of Christ, it means one unit. The called out people from the world who follow Jesus Christ.
Local Assemblies – Churches!
Listen, as Apostle Paul in hind sight expressed remorse that he persecuted the Church of God.
“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9).
A Christian, believer, or disciple of Jesus Christ is any person who believes in him and continues in his teachings (John 8:31).
On the other hand, local assemblies are “churches”.
Moreover, the Church follows Christ. It doesn’t oppose his dogmas. It upholds them!
Thus any religious organization or group of people who opposes the doctrines of Jesus Christ is anti-Christ.
Such a group does not follow Christ and is not the Church.
What to Consider When I’m Ready to be Baptized?
What should people who are ready to be baptized consider?
This may come as surprise to many who desired to become Christians, but one of the most significant considerations for biblical water baptism has nothing to do with any religious organizations.
As a matter of Bible, it has more to do with the baptismal candidate. And less to do with the church.
Why do I say this?
Mainly because that’s what the Bible says.
A person who is saying he or she is ready for baptism is asking, when is the time for baptism?
And to answer this question correctly, we must reference the Holy Bible for directions.
What does it say to people who are ready to be baptized?
Click the link and read when is the biblical time for baptism, then return to this page and continue reading to learn more about it?
Now that you have read the most important and biblical requirement, which says that you are ready to be baptized, but you are also wondering, which church should I baptize in?
I’m Ready to be Baptized to the Right Church
Does this sound familiar to you?
Which church does the Bible instruct us to get baptize in?
Well, it only speak about one church: The Church of Jesus Christ. The same one Jesus formed while he was here.
The identical one that his Twelve Apostles or leaders wrote about. Therefore, the church that we should baptize into is any group of people, globally, that teaches and practices the doctrines of Jesus Christ and his leaders.
Are You Ready to be Baptized into the Body?
As a result, wherever this called out group of people is, that’s where the church is.
However, the foregone defines the Church. But Believers are not baptized into a church.
We are not baptized into an organization. Therefore, we are not baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church, nor the Baptist Church, or even the RCC.
We are baptized into the “body of Christ”.
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5).
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the [savior] of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).
Conclusion
Therefore, to sum this up, if you believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you have identified a unit of people who teaches and practices the principles of Jesus Christ and his Twelve Leaders, then you are ready to be baptized and you have also identified the body of Christ.
Today, biblically, many religious groups don’t qualify as the Church. They don’t believe in Jesus Christ; they ignore his teachings, and they fail to baptise those who are ready for it according to his and his leaders commands and examples.
Nevertheless, folks, baptize for the right reasons. Additionally, how the baptizer executes our water baptism is very important?
Because if he doesn’t baptise us according to the Bible and the examples in it, we are not in the body of Christ.
Do everything in the name of Jesus Christ.
