TRUTH ABOUT WATER BAPTISM

IS BAPTISM ESSENTIAL?  

KEY SCRIPTURE:  Mark 16:16

Baptism is an essential part of Salvation!  Without it you cannot be saved.

“The FIRST MESSAGE preached by the apostles resulted in a command for EVERYONE to be baptized. ACTS 2:38.  The LAST MESSAGE preached by Jesus was a COMMAND to baptize all nations. (MATTHEW 28:19.”  (Quote from Lewis Manuwal’s booklet “Water Baptism according to The Bible  and Historical References”)

Baptism, according to the scriptures, instructs us to be completely immersed in water.  The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptiso," meaning “to plunge, bury or immerse.”  Baptism must be by immersion! (The next lesson will cover this very important point.)

Three reasons why we should be baptized:

#1)  Baptism is Commanded

·         Matthew 28:19

·         Mark 16:15 - Baptism is part of the Gospel message!

·         Acts 10:48 - Peter commanded those who had repented of their sin and received the Holy Ghost to be baptized.

#2)  Baptism Saves

·         I Peter 3:20, 21

·         John 3:5 - You cannot enter into the kingdom of God without being baptized.

·         I Corinthians 6:11

·         Galatians 3:27

#3)  Baptism remits sin

·         Acts 22:16

·         Luke 3:3 - One must first repent before he is baptized.  You must first acknowledge your sins, ask forgiveness, and then have them washed away  through the act of baptism.  Baptism is for the “remission of sins” (Acts 2:38-41).

·         Hebrews 9:22  The blood of Jesus Christ must be applied to remit sins.  What then is the Biblical way to receive remission of sins? This also is the only way to get the Saviour’s blood applied.

·         Colossians 2:11-14

·         Titus 3:5

Baptism was spoken of (foreshadowed) in the Old Testament.  “For a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.” (Numbers 19:9)   “But if he washed them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.” (Leviticus 17:15-16)  In other words, if you are not baptized you shall bear your sin and be exempt from heaven.  Exodus 30:20 states, “wash with water that thou diest not.”  If the priest did not first wash at the laver, he would be smitten dead.

HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

KEY SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 3:16

BAPTISMAL MODE: IMMERSION IN WATER

As mentioned in the previous lesson, baptism comes from the Greek word “baptiso” which means “to plunge, bury or immerse.”  The definition of the word alone tells us that any other method is incorrect.

The word “immerse” means “to plunge or dip.”  Baptism is a type of the Lord’s death and is the only method that retains this biblical symbol of baptism as a burial.

·         Colossians 2:12

·         Romans 6:4

SHOULD YOU BE IMMERSED or SPRINKLED WHEN BAPTIZED?

IMMERSION	SPRINKLING
MUCH WATER John 3:23
INTO THE WATER Acts 8:39
BURIED IN WATER Romans 6:4
PLANTED IN WATER Romans 6:5

                 

The early church definitely taught and practiced baptism by immersion.  If you were not baptized this way then you need to be.  Ephesians 4:5 says, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

INFANT BAPTISM?

As with sprinkling, infant baptism cannot be found in the New Testament church. 

Matthew 28:19 says, “Teach all nations, baptizing them...”

Acts 8:36,37 - The Ethiopian Eunuch asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?”  Philip responded, “If thou believest with all thine heart.” 

·         Believing is a prerequisite of baptism (Mark 16:16).

One must first understand and then believe.  You need to repent before you are baptized!  (Acts 2:38)

Baptism should first be understood by the person.  A child should be old enough to receive teaching, believe, and repent of his or her sins before being baptized.                                        

Based on the Word of God, we are able to conclude that the only biblical method of baptizing people is by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAME IN BAPTISM

KEY SCRIPTURE:  Acts 4:12

Salvation is in the Name!

ONE NAME

·         Matthew 28:18-20

·         Zechariah 14:9

·         Matthew 1:21

·         Luke 24:47

·         John 5:43; 14:26

What is the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? - JESUS.  You will discover how the early church baptized by reading Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; and 19:5.

Is it proper to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?  Or can we only use the name of Jesus?  Let us go to the Word of God and see what the Apostles either taught or preached  concerning water baptism.

IN JESUS NAME	TITLES
JEWS - Acts 2:38
SAMARITANS  Acts 8:16
GENTILES - Acts 4:12
PETER TAUGHT Acts 4:12
PAUL TAUGHT  Colossians 3:17

“Matthew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in a NAME.  The Apostles did not repeat the words of the command, but they did obey it as seen in the scriptures above. Since Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of the manifestations of the Almighty Spirit and His body, the Apostles understood His SAVING NAME to be JESUS.  Can any dare say that the Apostles disobeyed the Lord, or failed to baptize properly?  THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST IS LORD JESUS CHRIST.  The actions of the Apostles in the Book of Acts prove this to be true.”

(Quote from Lewis Manuwal’s booklet “Water Baptism according to The Bible and Historical References”)

SIX REASONS WHY WE BAPTIZE IN JESUS NAME:

(1) To take upon ourselves the family

      name (Ephesians 3:14-15).

(2) The Church began with the

     teaching of this doctrine (Acts

     2:38).

(3) This teaching has been continued

     over the ages of time by the

     Church  (Acts 2:42).

(4)  It is followed by a Promise (Acts

      2:38).

(5) His name is GREAT (Malachi 1:11).

(6) Purged our sin for His name’s sake

     (Psalm 79:9).

THE BRIDE MUST TAKE THE BRIDEGROOMS NAME!

NO NAME, NO CLAIM!

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM

KEY SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 2:1

We have both seen and understood that water baptism in Jesus Name is essential!

But what is the biblical significance?

#1.) God remits sin at water baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

#2.) Baptism is part of the new birth experience (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).

#3.) Baptism indicates that we have died out to sin by repentance and are burying our past sins and sinful lifestyle (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).

#4.) Baptism places us into the family of Christ (Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5).

#5.) Baptism allows us to enter into the New Covenant relationship with God. It is part of our spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11-13).

BIBLICAL REASONS FOR BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME

1.      The Apostolic Church followed this formula exclusively (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16).

2.      Baptism is a burial with Jesus   Christ and no one else (Romans 6:4).

3.      Baptism is a personal identification with Jesus Christ.  His name identifies us as His possession (Romans 6:3; Acts 15:14,17).

4.      Baptism is for the remission of sins, and Jesus is the only name associated with remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:43).

5.      The name of Jesus represents all the power and authority of God and makes it available to us (Matthew 28:18; John 14:14; Acts 3:6, 16).

6.      Everything we do in word or deed should be done in the name of Jesus  (Colossians 3:17). Baptism is both word and deed.

7.      Jesus is the highest name known to mankind, and every knee shall bow to that name (Philippians 2:9-11).

8.      Baptism is part of our salvation.  Jesus is the only saving name (Acts 2:21; 4:12; I Peter 3:21).

9.      Baptism is the outward act of an inward confession; signifying the acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour (Acts 8:12; 8:37).

10.  Baptism in Jesus name signifies belief that the fullness of the Godhead is in Jesus (Colossians 2:9).

11.  Baptism in the name of Jesus demonstrates reverence for and obedience to God’s Word over human tradition.

12.  The modern Trinitarian doctrine is not taught in the Bible.  Therefore, there is no theological justification for a triune baptismal formula.

Baptism is more than a symbolic ceremony and public declaration of joining the Church.

By reading the Word of God and observing the actions of the Apostles and the early church, it becomes obvious to us all that the Jesus Name formula for water baptism is the only way to be baptized.

Baptism saves, identifiesand remits!