Scriptural Baptism has a correct order:
1. It must occur AFTER salvation. Mt 28:19
Mt 3:1, 11, 5-6, 13-16 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
2. It must occur AFTER A choice has been made to live for the Lord. Rom 6:3-4
"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."
3. It must accompany a PUBLIC identification with Jesus Christ. Acts 2
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
4. It MUST be performed by immersion. Acts 8:39
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water"
LESSON - Many Christians have struggled with this issue because they've never properly understood baptism. Although it is not necessary for salvation, it is necessary for obedience. That's why the Lord Himself did it. Given these principles laid out in Scripture, ask your self "Am I scripturally baptized?"
~Mike
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