* The Meaning of Baptism: (Appears over 100 times in the N.T)
Greek: Baptizo= 'to immerse or fully submerge'.
Background:
1.Baptism of John the Baptist: Jewish ceremonial washings were common during those days, signifying purification & consecration. Especially, preistly purification. They were set apart for holy purposes.
In the same way, John the Baptist was giving the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. Ex. 29:4; Lev.8:6; Mark 1:4,5; 7:2-4.
2. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness: Matthew 3:15.
3. Christian Baptism:(Believers' baptism): whether Christ baptized or delegated is not known clearly. Jn.3:22, 4:1,2.
This baptism symbolized separation from the world and association with Jesus. Ac.2:40.
The difference between John's and Christian baptism: Mat.3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Jn.1:33; Ac.1:5.
* What about Infant baptism? (Read at the bottom)

* Who Commanded or Authorized?
- Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16.
-Apostle Peter: Acts 2:38, 10:46-48.
-Other Christian Ministers: Acts 22:12-16.

* What is the Spiritual Significance?
1. Obedience to Christ's Command: Matthew 28:19,20.
2. Figurative of Regeneration:(Outward manifestation of the inner change): Jn.3:3,5,6; Rom.6:3,4,11; Titus 3:5.
3. Illustrative of Cleansing: Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5.
4. Identification with His Death & resurrection: Rom.6; Col.2:12; 1Pet.3:21.
5. United with the Body of Christ: 1Cor.12:13; Gal. 3:27,28.

* Who Administer the baptism:
- Apostles-like Peter, Paul: Ac.2:1,41; 10:44-48; 18:8; 1Cor.1:14-17
- An ordinary disciple of Christ (Ananias): Ac.9:17,18.
- Philip the evnagleist: Ac.8:12,36-38.

* Who are qualifies for baptism? When you should take baptism?
-Those who repetned and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ: Ac.2:14,38,41; 8:12; 8:38; 9:18.
- Believing Gentiles: Ac.10:44-48; 18:8;19:5.
- Whole households: Ac.16:14,15,27,33; 1Cor. 1:16.
The baptized believers were added to the Church and they became one with the Church- Acts 2:41,42.

* How and Where Baptism is to be given? The Physical aspect:
We notice that the earliest baptisms were given at places where large quantity of water was present: Jn.3:23. e.g. Jordan river: Mt.3:13-16; Mk.1:5-10. Jerusalem: Ac.2:5,41. Samaria: Ac.8:5,12. A House: Ac.10:44-48. A Jail: Ac.16:25-33.
* With Water: Ac.10:47.
* Only Once: Eph.4:5.
* So we conclude the Mode for baptism to be by Immersion. This also agrees with the interpretation of Paul in Rom.6, Col.2:12.
-And because of the use of "into": Mk.1:9; Ac.8:38.

* What about Infant baptism?
Many people are comparing it with God's covenant with Abraham i.e. the Circumcision of a child after 8days. Because of the universal sin, they want to establish a covenant relationship with God at an early age. Gen.17:12; Lev.12:3. We need to understand that the circumcision was for Jewish males, who were the seed of Abraham. But in the N.T, we become God's children not by parental heritage (not by physical birth) as so many are thinking, but by faith and personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jn.1:12,13). Hence, baptism can not be called or taken as equivalent to circumcision.
And also we see that Jesus was circumcised when he was a child as per the O.T. law; but He was NOT baptized. He was dedicated in the temple. When he was an adult, then he Himself went for baptism. Luke 2:21-24; Matt.3:13-16.
Hence, we dedicate the children to the Lord, making parents aware of their responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph.6:4). When the children become adults, they decide for themselves to follow the Lord, after repenting of their sins, then they will come forward for adult baptism by immersion.
Further, baptism always follows repentance and faith of the individual taking baptism- not the decision of the parents!

The Lord Jesus said: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15,16.

Remember! Baptism is IMPORTANT! Repent, Believe and Be Baptized!