BAPTISM
The Significance of Believer’s Baptism In An Ecumenical Age
What is Baptism?
Baptismis a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Baptismis the first step of obedience after one believes.These answers are fine, but doctrinally there remains so much more to be said.“No man can intelligently and candidly read the New Testament without perceiving that baptism is of solemn import, and designed to exert a momentous influence in the kingdom of Christ.” –Jeremiah Jeter1802-1880A powerful preacher and pastor in Virginia.
Baptism is:
A CommandMatthew 28:19, 20 John 14:15 Acts 10:48 I John 5:3After SalvationMark 16:15-16Acts 2:41 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:35-38Acts 16:30-33 Acts 18:8By ImmersionMatthew 3:16 Acts 8:38-39Romans 6:3-5ImmediatelyActs 2:41 – “…the same day…”Acts 16:29-33 – “…the same hour…”
What is Baptism?
Baptismisa specific actto be administered bya specific body, to persons professingspecific qualifications, for the profession ofspecific truths.When one of these properties is wanting, the transaction is “null and void.”Unless the ordinances are observed as Christ commanded, they are not kept, but perverted.-J.R. Graves
BAPTISM
Requires the Proper CandidateBiblically, baptism is always of believers.Clearest and best example is the Ethiopian eunuch -Acts 8:36-39.Never in the pages of the Word of God is anyone baptized before salvation.Never is an infant baptized.Never is anyone coerced into being baptized.Never is anyone born-again by their baptism.
BAPTISM
Requires the Proper ModeThe mode is the method of baptism.Never in the Bible is any mode of baptism used other than immersion.Two examples are:Jesus Christ Himself – Matthew 3:16Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch – Acts 8:38-39Baptism is a demonstration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
BAPTISM
Requires the Proper AdministrationThe responsibility of administering baptism was given to the local church by our Lord Jesus Christ.It is an ordinanceAn ordinance is ordered by the Lord to be commemorated in the local church. The ordinances are given to the local church, not an individual person.An ordinance is a picture or object lesson that teaches doctrine. It is a physical picture of a spiritual truth.Like a wedding ring
BAPTISM
Requires the Proper AdministrationJesus Christ did not baptize – John 4:1-3The Apostle Paul rarely baptized – I Corinthians 1:10-18Why? Because baptism is to be performed by the pastor of a church.As Paul was planting churches he would baptize converts to help establish that church – Acts16:33(PhilippianJailor and his house)
THREE Key Words EXPLAIN BAPTISM
ObedienceBaptism is obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. – Matthew 28:19-20 and John 14:15Baptism should be one of the first acts of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.ExamplesEthiopian eunuch – Acts 8:37,38Cornelius – Acts 10:44-48Apostle Paul – Acts 9:1-19Philippianjailor – Acts 16:30,31Lydia – Acts 16:14,15Crispus– Acts 18:8
THREE Key Words EXPLAIN BAPTISM
IdentificationWe identify with Jesus ChristThe Holy Spirit identified with Christ – Mark 1:10The Father identified with Christ – Mark 1:11Christ identified with us at His baptism foretelling his death, burial and resurrection for the remission of our sins.We identify with a body of doctrineJesus requested baptism from John the Baptist to identify with John’s message – his body of doctrine Mark 1:4, John 1:15, John 1:27The followers of John were identified in Scripture as his disciples – Matthew 9:14, Matthew 11:2 and Luke 11:1 How did these men become John’s disciples? Through baptism; baptism identifies us with a body of doctrine.We identify with a local church
THREE Key Words EXPLAIN BAPTISM
IdentificationWe identify with Jesus ChristWe identify with a body of doctrineWe identify with a local churchA local church and that church’s doctrine – Acts 2:41-42You would want to identify with:Proper biblical teaching on eternal securityProper biblical teaching on salvation – not baptismal regenerationProper biblical teaching on baptismWe re-baptize because the former baptism wasn’t administrated properly or the church that administered the baptism espoused false doctrine.
THREE Key Words EXPLAIN BAPTISM
ObedienceIdentificationSubmissionHis submission to Christ and His purpose for the believer’s life.His submission to the local church and it’s authority in his life.Hebrews 13:17“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”1 Peter 5:5“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for Godresisteththe proud, andgivethgrace to the humble.”
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