Baptism

I am not perfect, nor do I know everything. As a matter of fact, I am going to do an in depth study of baptism, as presented in the bible. My goal in this is to have a solid understanding of what baptism is, and why God gave it to us. I hope to have as complete an understanding as possible of baptism, and to settle the whole thing in my mind once and for all, God willing. I think that the first section of scripture I will start with in this is Acts 2. The first part of Acts 2 talks about the day of Pentecost, when the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and were given the gift of speaking in foreign languages. When a crowd had gathered, and then accused them of drunkenness Peter sets them straight, telling them of Jesus, and how Jesus is the Saviour of us all. When the people heard Peter's words, they were pricked in the heart, and asked how they could be saved. Verse 38 and 39 say, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." I will enumerate the things that I understand from this passage about baptism.

1. It is necessary for remission of sins (repent and be baptized)
--I believe God brings us to repentance, we don't choose Him, He chooses us--
2. You receive the Holy Ghost (you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost)
3. The promise is for children (the promise is unto you and your children)
4. The promise is to all that God calls (for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call)

In reading these two verses, it seems to me that believers should be baptized when God brings them to repentance, and they should also baptize their children.

I will continue to look at verses that talk about baptism. I hope that I will learn much!