What Is Baptism?The subject of "baptism" is without doubt one of the most confusing and controversial of all Bible teachings. Many types of "churches" have many types of "baptism." Some sprinkle, some pour, some immerse. Some do it to infants, others to adults — some even "baptize" on behalf of those deceased. Then others tell us it is not an important thing, so they practice no baptism at all.
History tells us that baptism has been the most divisive issue throughout the present age. Our Baptist forefathers paid dearly for their stand upon the Bible truth of baptism. Millions were cruelly put to death just because they refused to have their children "sprinkled" or dare stand upon the teachings of God's Word. We do not have to face such persecution today — but we ought to be willing to take the same stand upon the truth of the Bible.
You can learn the truth by carefully studying the following Scriptures. Set aside any preconceived notions and see exactly what the Bible teaches.
What Is Baptism?
A. How many kinds of baptisms are there? Ephesians 4:5 ______
B. What is baptism called in Colossians 2:12? ________
C. According to Romans 6:4, we are _________ in the likeness of Christ's death by baptism.
D. Romans 6:5 tells us that baptism pictures a ___________.
E. In your understanding, which action best pictures a burial, or a planting: immersion or sprinkling? ________________
F. In Matthew 3:6, where did John the Baptist baptize? ___ ___ ________. What exactly is this? ___ _______________
G. From John 3:23, what was John the Baptist's reason for baptizing at a place called AEnon? ___________________ _____________________________________________
H. What does your answer to "G" say about the method of baptizing? _____________________________________ ______________________________________________
I. In Mark 1:10, when Jesus was baptized, what did He come up out of? ______ __________________
J. Look up Acts 8:38-39. When Philip baptized the Ethiopian, what was the relationship of both men to the water? ______________________________
K. From your honest study of these verses of Scripture, what do you conclude to be the mode of baptism? (Circle one)
Sprinkling
Pouring
Immersion
Having drawn your conclusion, the following information will help reinforce the truth:
• The Greek word rendered "baptize" in your Bible is "baptidzo.” The meaning of "baptidzo" is "dip, plunge, immerse, submerge, overwhelm." ALL reputable Greek scholars (Catholic, Protestant, and Baptist) agree on this point.
• Pope Stephen II declared the practice of "pouring" for baptism was valid in the case of sick candidates in the year 754 A.D. The Roman Catholic Council of Ravenna, 1311A.D., gave the first "official" sanction of sprinkling. Prior to these times, immersion was the mode. In some Roman Catholic circles, immersion was still practiced in the 18th Century.
Who Should Be Baptized?
A. According to Matthew 3:7-8, what did John the Baptist require from people BEFORE he would baptize them? _____________________________________
B. In John 4:1 what does the relationship between the words "made" and "baptized" show concerning who should be baptized? _____________________________
C. In Acts 2:41 what had those who were first baptized done? _____________________________________
D. In Acts 8:12 what had the men and women who were baptized first done? ____________
E. In Acts 8:37 what was the requirement for the Ethiopian's baptism? _________________
F. In Acts 10:47 when does a person receive the Holy Spirit? ____________________________
G. In Acts 16:14-15 what had the Lord done with Lydia before she was baptized? _____________________ ____________________________________
H. Study Acts 16:30-34. What happened to the keeper of the prison and his household before they were baptized? ____________________________________
I. List the three steps of the Corinthians given in Acts 18:8. ___________, ______________, and ________________.
J. From your honest study of these verses of Scripture, who do you conclude to be the proper candidates for baptism? (Circle one)
Babies
Believers
Jews
Having drawn your conclusion, the following information will help reinforce the truth:
• There is NO evidence of "infant baptism" to be found in the first couple of centuries in church history. The first recorded instance of "infant baptism" was when the Roman Emperor Valens insisted his dying son be "baptized" - in the year 370 A.D.
• Infant baptism was made "law" by the Catholic Council of Mela in the year 416 A.D. It was from this point that the bloody butchering of Baptists began to be practiced — by other "Christians."
What Does Baptism Do?
Many people believe (and are taught) that baptism is a Sacrament — that is, a "means of God's grace," a channel through which our salvation comes.
A. What is the channel of God's saving grace? Ephesians 2:8 _________
B. What are we NOT saved by? Ephesians 2:9 ___________
C. Compare: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 5:26, and John 17:17. How are our sins "washed away"? ________________________
D. Read Luke 23:32-33, 39-43. One thief was saved. Was he ever baptized? _______
E. From your honest study of these verses of Scripture, what part does baptism play in your salvation? (Circle one)
No part
Some part
Absolutely essential
F. When I get Baptized I…
1. Obey Christ command (Matthew 28:19-20).
2. Identify publicly with the Christ death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:5).
3. Testify publicly that I died to my old life and am raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
What Does Baptism Mean?
A. Look up 1Corinthians 15:1-4.
1. What does Paul declare here? The ___________ (v 1).
2. Where does he ask them to keep it? In ___________ (v 2).
3. What is the Gospel? “Christ _______ for our sins, was _______ and _______ ________” (v 3-4).
B. According to Romans 6:5, baptism is called the ________________ of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
C. In I Peter 3:21, baptism is called the _______ ____________. Be careful as you read this verse. It does not teach that baptism saves anyone. It is that which baptism pictures that saves. Baptism is the answer or response of a good conscience. We get a good conscience before God when we are saved!
D. From your study and consideration of these verses of Scripture, what would you say baptism is? (Circle one)
A symbol of the Gospel
The washing away of sins
What Does Baptism Make Me?
We have already seen that baptism plays NO part in our salvation. A person is scripturally baptized AFTER salvation, NOT before it.
A. Baptism Makes You A Church Member. Look up Acts 2:41-42. List the order of events.
1. ____________ (his word) = Salvation
2. ____________ = Baptism
3. ____________ unto them = Church membership
4. ____________ stedfastly = Christian growth
According to John 3:3-5 the "new birth" is the "doorway" to eternal life.
According to Acts 2:41 and 1Corinthians 12:13 baptism (which follows salvation) is the "doorway" into the membership of the New Testament Church.
When you are baptized here, you become a member of this Church. As such, you enjoy the rights and privileges of membership which include:
1. Participation at the Lord's Table for the observance of the Lord's Supper.
2. Receiving pastoral care and guidance for your spiritual growth & service.
3. Participation in church business meetings.
4. Opportunities to effectively serve the Lord through His Church.
Who Has The Authority To Baptize?
A. There Are Two Things To Keep In Mind:
1. There is a variety of 'baptisms' in the religious world today.
2. According to Ephesians 4:5, there is only ONE CORRECT BAPTISM — so all cannot be right.
B. The Authority To Baptize Was Given To New Testament Churches. Just before our Lord ascended back to Heaven, He left "orders" for His work to be continued. These orders are given in Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8.
The Lord spoke these words to His disciples. However, if He gave this commission only to the disciples then present, it no longer applies -- because they are long dead! The Lord Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission to His disciples INSTITUTIONALLY — not individually. The command to go, preach, baptize, and teach all nations was given to His CHURCH.
Since the command to "baptize" is contained in the Commission, then the authority to baptize has been given to New Testament churches — not to individuals or man-made religious organizations.
The Lord Jesus walked 60 miles, from Galilee, where there was plenty of water, to Judea to receive the right baptism from the right authority (John the Baptist). He obviously considered the authority in baptism to be important. It is just as important today!
C. There Are Four Requirements For Baptism To Be Scriptural:
1. Saved Candidates (A born again person).
2. Submersion In Water (Completely covered by water).
3. Symbolic Representation (Death, Burial & Resurrection).
4. Scriptural Authority (The Local New Testament Church).
All those who are baptized into this Church are baptized on the authority of this Church. Even though the pastor actually performs the act, he does so on behalf of the Church body. This is why:
1. All those desiring baptism are presented before the Church members, and the Church votes to receive them into membership upon their baptism.
2. The Church receives members from other churches of like faith and order by way of a "Letter of Commendation."
3. The Church does not receive into membership those who have been 'baptized' by an unscriptural institution. As with our ancient Baptist forefathers, we require Scriptural baptism (sometimes erroneously called "re-baptism") in such cases.
Why Should We Be Baptized?
Some people do not see the great importance of baptism, seeing it as either unnecessary, or an "optional extra" to being a Christian.
However, the Word of God places great emphasis upon this church ordinance. The "symbol" of Christianity is NOT a cross or a fish — but the beautiful emblem of baptism.
Here are some reasons why you should be scripturally baptized:
A. The Lord Jesus Christ Was Baptized (Matthew 3:13-17).
1. It was important to Him. He came from _______ to ________ (60 miles) to receive baptism (v l3).
2. Jesus said His baptism __________ us (v l5). That is, "It is fitting."
3. Jesus used the little word ______ in verse 15, indicating we associate with Him when we follow Him in baptism.
4. God the Father was well ___________ when Jesus was baptized (v l7).
B. Baptism Is A Command From The Lord (Matthew 28:19-20). As noted previously, the command to baptize was given to the Lord's church. Thus it follows that those who are won to Christ have a duty to be baptized. Write out John 14:15. _______________________________________
______________________________________
C. Baptism Is The Bible Way.
1. Look up Acts 2:38. Here the command is for __________ _____ of you to be baptized.
2. Acts 8:12 includes both _________ and __________ in the act of baptism.
D. All Christians Are To Be Faithful In Church Attendance. We read of this command in Hebrews 10:25. Can we properly follow this command and not be a member of a New Testament Church, and not be baptized? No!
IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED:
1. Write out the question the Ethiopian asked of Philip in the last part of Acts 8:36. _________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
2. In your own words, and in your own situation, answer this question. ___________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
3. Why not decide now to obey the Lord?