Baptism

1. What great commission did Jesus give to His followers?
   Matthew 28:19-20: “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.”

This text does not support infant baptism because you cannot teach an infant “all things”. Children must be able to understand the basic requirements of salvation and have a desire to follow Jesus. The Scriptures do support baby dedication.
Matthew 19:13-15 “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”
Luke 2:22 “And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;”
1 Samuel 1:11 “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”

2. Is baptism important?
   Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
3. What is the purpose of baptism?
   Matthew 3:5-6: “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.”
   Luke 3:3: “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentence for the remission of sins.”
   Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
   [Further Study]
   Psalms 51:2 “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
4. Does baptism change our relationship to Jesus?
   Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

To put on Christ in this instance means to publicly accept the life of Christ as a substitute for my own life. It means to imitate His example, to accept His instruction, to follow His teaching. To put on Christ implies putting off self and the old nature and living a new life altogether.

5. What event in the life of Jesus does baptism commemorate?
   Romans 6:3-5: “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.”

Many Christians today believe and teach that Sunday worship is the memorial of the resurrection, but God’s word teaches that it is baptism. We are baptized by immersion because it represents our death to self, we are burying our old habits of sin. Coming up out of the water represents our resurrection to a new way of life in Jesus. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience.

6. Since Jesus is our example in all things, in what manner was He baptized?
   Mark 1:9-11: “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
   [Further Study]
   Matthew 3:13-17
   13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
   14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
   15 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.
   16 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:
   17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus was not baptized because He had sin to wash away, but to give us an example for us to follow. Jesus said, “It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). There are at least 3 possible reasons for the baptism of Jesus: (1) Jesus began His public ministry after His baptism. God was anointing or placing His stamp of approval upon Him publicly. (2) Since He became sin for us (Romans 8:4 “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”) He was being cleansed because our sins were placed upon Him. (3) He was baptized for those who could not be, such as the thief on the cross.

7. How much water is necessary for baptism?
   John 3:23: “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”
8. What method of baptism did the disciples use?
   Acts 8:36-39: “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.”
9. Does the Bible endorse any other method of baptism?
   Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
10. Should baptism be a public declaration that one renounces the world, and has become a member of God’s royal family?
    Matthew 10:32-33: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Baptism is a way of publicly confessing Christ.

11. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?
    Acts 2:38: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

By the act of baptism you will be receiving the Holy Spirit more fully, which in turn will allow God to use you more fully.

12. What are some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and who will receive them?
    1 Corinthians 12:7-11: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
13. What are we to do with these gifts after we are baptized?
    John 15:8: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

As one prepares for baptism they should be praying that God will show them what their gifts are and how they can be used for the good of the church and for God’s glory.

14. Where will the baptized Christian set his affections?
    Colossians 3:1-4: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

The decision to be baptized is a serious one. If you have not yet taken this step publicly, we urge you to give it prayerful consideration. Since you have gone through this series of lessons you have enough knowledge to decide in favor of this most beautiful ceremony. If you have a desire to unite with a people who believe what you have been learning, please let us know and we will assist you in every way possible. God bless you as you consider this important step.

“After the believing soul has received the ordinance of baptism, he is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. . . .

“All who study the life of Christ and practice his teaching will become like Christ. Their influence will be like His. They will reveal soundness of character. They are established in the faith, and will not be overcome by the devil because of vanity and pride. They seek to walk the humble path of obedience, doing the will of God. Their character exerts an influence that tells for the advancement of the cause of God and the healthful purity of His work. . . .

“In these thoroughly converted souls the world has a witness to the sanctifying power of truth upon the human character. Through them Christ makes known to the world His character and will. In the lives of God’s children is revealed the blessedness of serving the Lord, and the opposite is seen in those who do not keep His commandments. The line of demarcation is distinct. All who obey God’s commandments are kept by His mighty power amid the corrupting influence of the transgressors of His law. From the lowliest subject to the highest in positions of trust, they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

“Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. He is to make all worldly considerations secondary to this new relation. Publicly he has declared that he is no longer to live in pride and self-indulgence. He is no longer to live a careless, indifferent life. He has made a covenant with God. He has died to the world. He is to live to the Lord, to use for Him all his entrusted capabilities, never losing the realization that he bears God’s signature, that he is a subject of Christ’s kingdom, a partaker of the divine nature. He is to surrender to God all that he is and all that he has, employing all his gifts to His name’s glory.

“The obligations in the spiritual agreement entered into at baptism are mutual. As human beings act their part with whole-hearted obedience, they have a right to pray, ‘Let it be known, Lord, that thou art God in Israel.’ The fact that you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is an assurance that if you will claim their help, these powers will help you in every emergency. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of His sincere followers who wear Christ’s yoke and learn in His school His meekness and lowliness.” Evangelism, pages 315-317.