I believe that proper New Testament baptism solely consists of immersing the believer fully in water; and that this is done in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the local church. As such, it is an ordinance of the local church that cannot be set aside, or taken lightly. The purpose of this is to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour. Though it is not effectual for salvation, it is an outward demonstration of the inward effect of salvation in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, believer's Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relationship and the ability to partake of the Lord's Supper.
(Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:1-6; John 3:22-23; Romans 6:3-6; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 2:10-12; Acts 2:40-42; Acts 18:24-26; Acts 19:1-7).
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at
the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went
on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch
said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And
Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the
Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no
more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts
8:35-39)
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. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias,
saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had
his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his
loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 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. (Matthew 3:1-6)
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John
also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much
water there: and they came, and were baptized. (John
3:22-23)
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with
him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not serve sin. (Romans 6:3-6)
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. And Jesus, when
he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo,
the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice
from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew
28:18-20)
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality
and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision
made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the
flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism,
wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(Colossians 2:10-12)
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued
stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:40-42)
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent
man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was
instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the
spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in
the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they
took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly. (Acts 18:24-26)
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul
having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and
finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received
the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have
not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said
unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto
John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the
baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the
Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and
prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. (Acts
19:1-7)