Immersion

Lesson on Immersion from Acts 8

Here is a simple outline of Acts 8 with Scriptures to go along with the points. You are encouraged to read Acts 8:26-40 before going through the outline. This account of the conversion of the Ethiopian is rich in doctrine about what the Bible says about immersion. Please look at all Scriptures.

Immersion is an essential part of the Gospel (Acts 8:35-36)

  • Jesus said so: (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16)
  • The Apostles preached it: (Chapters of conversions in Acts 2,8,9,10,16,22,26)
  • The “preaching of Jesus” included immersion (Acts 8:35-36)
  • If it was not included, how did the Ethiopian know he needed to be immersed in Acts 8:36?

Immersion is a burial (Acts 8:38-39)

  • Burial implies three things:
    • The thing to be buried can be different – money, wires, pipes, pets
    • The thing buried in can be different – in the ground, in water, in a pocket, in a purse
    • The act of burying is NEVER different – it is ALWAYS a covering
  • Jesus walked 65 miles to be immersed (Matthew 3:13; John 3:23)

Immersion is for a repentant believer (Acts 8:34-36)

  • No mention of infant baptism in the New Testament
  • The 3000 on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38)

Immersion is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 8:39)

  • We offend Almighty God by our personal sin (Romans 3:23)
  • Sin separates us from God (Romans 6:23)
  • Sin keeps us out of heaven
  • How do we get rid of this sin? By immersion (Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Peter 3:21)

Immersion is an immediate act (Acts 8:36-38)

  • Conversion accounts illustrate this from the book of Acts: (Chapters of conversions in Acts 2,8,9,10,16, 22,26)
  • There is no promise of tomorrow (Luke 12:16-21)