What is believer's baptism?

Believer's baptism is a baptism (we baptists reqognize only immerzion as valid baptism) after a person has accepted the Lord. There's no time specification on how long afterwards, but it must be done after a person's conversion.

 

v.o.t., Johnv,

bmerr here. First the good news! John, "you Baptists" are correct in only recognizing immersion as the correct method of baptism. In doing so, you fall in line with every bit of evidence the Bible has on the method of baptism.

It requires "much water" (John 3:23)

Administrator and recipient go down "into the water" (Acts 8:38)

It is descibed as a burial and a raising (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; Col 3:1)

It is in the likeness of His death (Rom 6:5)

Sprinkling and pouring cannot, and do not fit the Bible's description of baptism.

It is also, as you metioned on your link, only for those who believe. "Infants and idiots need not apply", someone once said. A bit harsh, but true.

Now the bad news. As you can imagine, I'm going to disagree a litte .

The NT records that believers were baptized immediately, at the first opportunity. The longest recorded lapse between one's belief and one's baptism is three days (Acts 9:9), and Paul refers to himself as "one born out of due time" (1 Cor 15:8), which may or may not be an allusion to this three day time period.

The Bible gives the purpose for baptism in the NT, as well.

It is for (unto - ASV) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

It is to "wash away" sins (Acts 22:16).

It is how one "puts on Christ" (Gal 3:27).

It is how one gets "into Christ" (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), where all spiritual blessings are, including salvation (Eph 1:3).

It is for salvation (Mark 16:16).

It is equal to "born of water" (John 3:5). Some assert that "born of water" refers to physical birth. I say this is nonsense.

First, it means that Jesus corrected Nicodemus by telling him he was correct.

Second, it is interesting to learn that "Moses" basically means, "born of water". Strong's defines Moses' name as,

"drawing out (of the water)"

Pharaoh's daughter did not name him "Moses" because he had been born physically. She named him "Moses" "Because I drew him out of the water" (Ex 2:10).

To be baptized is to be "born of water".

Lastly, the word "answer" in 1 Pet 3:21 means "an inquiry". The ASV uses the word, "interrogation", with a marginal reading of "inquiry, or appeal".

It is how one calls on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13).

And let's not forget, that "even baptism doth also now save you". Not by itself, not alone, but baptism plays a part in saving those who submit to it by faith.

That's believer's baptism.

In Christ,

bmerr