(Click on the thumbnails from various K.W.C.O.G. baptismal services to enlarge them)

          
Baptism is something that has been practiced for ages and ages.  Baptism is something that Jesus established in the Church as an act of worship and testimony. As a matter of fact, Jesus commanded us to teach all nations and to baptize them.

Matthew 29:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Through baptism, we express publicly our excepting of Jesus into our hearts. Think of it this way, baptism is an outward testimony of an inward transformation.

I believe baptism to be a vital part in our relationship with God. First of all, because Jesus himself instituted this ceremony and practice into the Church. Secondly, because this act is an excellent example and object lesson of Jesus atoning death and resurrection.

Baptism is all about a testimony that we have partaken in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We, in the Church of God, do not practice a sprinkling baptism.  We believe and practice baptism by submersion.  We believe and practice this kind of baptism for 2 main reasons.  1. This is exactly how Jesus was baptized, He was submerged under the water.

Matt. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2. The Word baptism means "immerse, dip, submerge", therefore, when we baptize an individual we lay them down under the water (this represents us being buried), and then we raise them up out of the water (this represents them being raised in newness of life). 

Col. 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: ¹² Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

You see this a testimony identifying us with the cross, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Baptism is a symbol, a sign, and a picture of our journey from darkness into light and from death into life.

Let me stress, however, that no ceremony, ordinance, or sacrament (baptism, communion, washing of the saints feet) are necessary or essential for salvation. Connected to that statement is this one: These ceremonies, ordinances, or sacraments do not create faith in our lives. All of these works presuppose faith, and are a result of our faith. We are going to see this in the word of God.

BAPTISM IS NOT NECESSARY FOR SALVATION:

We need to understand that Baptism is not necessary for salvation, it again is an important part of our testimony, relationship, and communion, but it is not essential for our salvation!

The Bible let’s us know that Salvation is a product of God’s grace and mercy and your Faith in that grace and mercy. Let’s look at scripture. We must look at scripture, because when it comes to doctrine mans opinion nor his private interpretation aren't going to do us any good. Let’s see what God’s word say’s about our salvation.

Eph. 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There are several things we need to understand in this passage. First of all Paul tells us in verse 5 that it is by grace that we are saved (by grace ye are saved;). Then in verse 8 he reiterates this point, but adds something to it. Paul say’s For by grace are ye saved through faith;. In this verse Paul really gets down to business concerning our salvation. He say’s it’s by grace that we are saved, then he adds a word about our faith. He say’s we access God’s grace, regarding our salvation, through our faith in Him and His Grace. He doesn’t say anything to us about baptism, as a matter of fact, Paul helps us understand that salvation requires no ceremonial activity or ordinance. Paul tells us that salvation is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There’s more in the Word of God. Do you remember this story?

Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

I don’t exactly know when it happened, during course 1, maybe during dessert, or maybe it was while they were blessing the food, but salvation came into the house. Better yet, salvation came to Zacchaeus’s soul. Once again, no baptismal service, but salvation had been experienced.

There are more of these stories, but let’s look at some scriptures dealing strictly on salvation, and how we experience it. Listen to Jesus talking about our salvation.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus never mentions being baptized to obtain salvation. He say’s whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. that is salvation, and then He say’s He that believeth on him is not condemned:. Who are they who are not condemned: Those who have received salvation.

Peter taught salvation absent of baptism.

Acts 2:21 …whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Peter say’s there is salvation (not in baptism) in the name of Jesus.

Paul teaches Salvation absent of baptism:

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Paul said there is salvation (not in baptism) because of the shed blood of Jesus, and because the life He gave.  Let me give some more that do not mention baptism yet lead us to salvation.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Not only does baptism not save us but scripture teaches us that salvation must be experienced before baptism means anything.

This is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Philip witnessed to this man with the word of God, and then this eunuch has a desire for salvation. Watch what happens:

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

The eunuch makes the same mistake that a lot of other people make. He, for salvation, tries to jump right in to the water (they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ). The eunuch say’s there is water what is going to stop me from being baptized, what does Philip tell him? Philip said the thing that is stopping you is your confession of faith (which we already found out brings us into salvation). The eunuch say’s what is stopping me Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

This is the proper order. Salvation and then baptism. Salvation, and then testimony.