Baptism

What Does the Bible say

While there are several areas that can be studied in detail.

We will limit this study to a few basic points.

Mathew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, l“ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

We can find the Great Commission again in the book of Mark

Mk 16:15-16 15 and He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

In Matthew, Baptism is related to the process of making disciples.

In Mark, Baptism is mentioned in connection with salvation.

Some of the Questions

a. What is baptism? 1) Is it pouring, sprinkling, or immersion? 2) Is one baptized in water, or in the Spirit? b. What is the purpose of baptism? 1) Is it for the remission of sins, or because our sins have already been forgiven? 2) Is it to be saved, or a public confession of faith having already been saved? c. Who should be baptized? 1) Should infants be baptized? 2) Should just anyone be baptized? d. Is there ever a need to be "re-baptized"? 1) What if I was baptized as an infant? 2) What if I was baptized for the wrong reason? 3) What if I have sinned greatly after being baptized?

a. Since it was commanded by Christ, it is certainly worthy of careful consideration.

b. It is my hope to glean from the Bible what is actually taught on this subject.

While we have this study it is imperative that we adopt the attitude of the Bereans in the book of acts.

Acts 17:11 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

THE DAY OF PENTACOST

Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

BAPTISM IN THE PREACHING OF PHILIP

While not an Apostle there is no doubt that Philip “taught the word of God”. Acts 8:35

While we do not have the text of the sermon to the Ethiopian eunuch. However, it is clear that Baptism was immediate and crucial.

Acts 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?

BAPTISM IN THE PREACHING OF PAUL

conversion of Lydia Acts 16:13-15

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

IN THE CONVERSION OF THE PHILIPPIAN JAILOR

Acts 16:30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

IN THE CONVERSION OF PAUL HIMSELFActs chapter 9

6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized

Even after accepting the Lordship of Christ.Act 22:10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

When he was baptized his sins were "washed away"!

what should be proclaimed regarding baptism? In this lesson we have seen.

a. That it was commanded "for the remission of sins" - Ac 2:38

b. That it was done to "wash away sins" - Acts 22:16

c. That it involved "water" - Acts 8:36-38; 10:48

d. That it was done "immediately", with no delay even if after midnight - Acts 16:25-33

While we have not addressed all possible questions or queries related to Baptism. We have covered these 5 points.

However, there are those who will raise the following objections, Whenever the subject of Baptism is discussed.

What About The Thief On The Cross?

What About Cornelius And His Household?

Wasn't Paul Sent To Preach, Not Baptize?

Baptism Is A Work, We Are Not Saved By Works!

Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism!

What About The Thief On The Cross? Luke 23:39–43

While on earth, Jesus had the authority to forgive sins.

He exercised this authority on several occasionsFor the paralytic - Lk 5:18-26For the sinful woman - Lk 7:36-50

"Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." - Lk 23:43

THE THIEF WAS SAVED BEFORE BAPTISM WAS COMMANDED.

The Baptism under discussion was commanded AFTER Jesus died and arose - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

Was a baptism into Jesus' death – Romans 6:3-4

There are 2 different covenants,

There was a covenant between God and Israel Deut 5:2-3

There is the new covenant that is now in force Heb 8:6-7

Another objection concerns Cornelius and his household, which be summarized like this:

The Spirit came upon Cornelius and his family before they were baptized.

The Spirit falling upon them was evidence that they were saved.

Therefore they were saved before baptism, making it not essential to salvation.

Peters sermon to the household of Cornelius.

He begins with a full perception that God shows no partiality Acts 10:34-35

Peter proceeds to proclaim Jesus Christ - Acts 10:36-43As Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power Acts 10:36-38

Who was killed, but then raised from the dead and seen by eyewitnesses who knew Him well - Acts 10:39-41

Who has commanded the apostles to proclaim Him as ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead - Acts 10:42

Through Whom remission of sins is offered to those who believe Acts 10:43

How could anyone forbid water to those who had received the Spirit just as the apostles did? - Ac 10:47

One might also ask...When the Spirit came upon Balaam to prophesy concerning Israel, did it save him? Num 24:2

When the Spirit came upon Saul to prophesy, did it save him? 1Sa 19:20-24

When Caiaphas prophesied, was he saved? John 11:49-52

God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.“ (Ac 11:16)

Signs may also be the work of “False Prophets” or Satan (Mathew 24:24, 2 Thess 2:9)

The purpose of the Spirit coming upon a person may vary, and one should not assume that one filled with the Spirit at any given time is thereby being saved by the Spirit!

Baptism Is A Work, We Are Not Saved By Works!

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Certainly baptism is a thing done, and as such may be classified as a "work". However it is not a work of merit, by which one earns salvation. Rather it is a work of faith, by which one receives salvation.

1 Thess 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith…….

Titus 3:4-5But when the kindness and love of God our Saviortoward man appeared,5 He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Col 2:12-13 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in whichyou were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive togetherwith Him, having forgiven us all trespasses.

Martin Luther stated in his Small Catechism, "It (Baptism) effects

forgiveness of sins.“

1)He also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins. Again, he wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save.“

2) Responding to those who call this a kind of works- salvation, he said "Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our work but God's." -- (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins,College Press, 1990, p. 32-34)

Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism

Those holding this view point out.

They contend there are many different types of baptisms in the Bible

Further they contend we should not assume that water baptism is the subject under consideration’ in Ro 6:3-7, Ga 3:27, etc

While the Bible Does Describe many Baptisms

At the very least there are six mentioned.

The baptism of Moses (Israel) - 1Co 10:1-2The baptism of John, a baptism in water - Mk 1:4-5The baptism of the Holy Spirit - Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16; Ac 1:5; 2:1-4; 10:44,45; 11:15-16The baptism of fire (judgment) - Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16,17The baptism of suffering (persecution) Mt 20:20-33; Lk 12:50The baptism of the Great Commission, which was a baptism in water - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 8:12-13,35-38; 10:47-48; 22:16

NOW there is ONLY one Baptism.

In describing the unity of the Spirit.Paul proclaims there is one baptism - Ep 4:3-7

4 There is one body and one Spirit, even as you werecalled in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 gone God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

To which of the six baptisms was Paul referring?I believe we can safely rule out all but twoThe issue boils down to this: Is the one baptism of Ep 4:5...

Would this be the baptism of the Holy Spirit or The baptism of the Great Commission?

Or might there actually be a connection between these two, with the end result there being one baptism with two elements: water and the Spirit?

If we are to remain within the boundaries' of scripture. We cannot have two or more baptisms; as there is only one baptism.

It is the Baptism of the Great Commission.

Why the Baptism of the Great Commission.

This is the baptism.Commanded by JesusFor people of all nations - Mt 28:19For every person in the world - Mk 16:15-16

Commanded by the apostles in response to the gospelAs proclaimed to the Jews at Pentecost - Ac 2:38As commanded by Peter to the Gentiles - Ac 10:48

Indeed, every example of conversion described in detail in the book of Acts involves this baptism!