Baptism, summary
I. The Importance of Earnest and Reverent
Obedience
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey
is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1Sa
15:22).
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I
will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I
have commanded you, that it may be well unto you (Jer 7:23).
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I
say? (Luk 6:46).
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love
him, and will manifest myself to him (Joh 14:21).
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1Jo 2:4).
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:13).
II. What Baptism Symbolizes And Accomplishes
1. A cleansing, a washing away -- remission -- forgiveness of
sins
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Act 22:16).
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 Spirit (Act 2:38).
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God (1Co 6:11).
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word (Eph 5:26).
2. A burial and rebirth -- a death to the old Adam -- a
resurrection to newness of life.
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 (Rom 6:3-5).
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
(Col 2:12).
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (Joh
3:3).
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (Joh
3:5).
3. A Union with Christ, a partaking of his righteousness and
the effects of his sacrifice; a naturalization into the citizenship of the
commonwealth of Israel and an heirship of the promises made to the
Fathers.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are
ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:26-29).
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by
one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (1Co
12:12-13).
4. A release from the bondage and slavery of Sin; a transfer
of masters from the service of Sin unto death to the service of Righteousness
unto life.
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 he that is dead is
freed from sin (Rom 6:3,4,7).
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:11).
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye
have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you (Rom
6:17).
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness (Rom 6:18).
III. Total Immersion In Water Necessary...
1. To fulfill the symbol of burial and resurrection or rebirth
(see passages under II, 2 above)
2. As demonstrated by the descriptions and instances of
baptism recorded in Scripture.
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. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in
all the cities, till he came to Caesarea (Act 8:39-40).
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins (Mat
3:6).
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: (Mat 3:16).
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because
there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized (Joh
3:23).
3. The actual meaning of the Greek word (baptizo) used in the
NT.
(a) Usage of general Greek literature over 2,000 year
period.
(b) Septuagint translation of 2Ki 5:14 (baptizo)
(c) In writing of so-called "Church Fathers"
(d) Words used for baptism by early writers in Latin
(e) Words used in early translations of Scriptures in Latin,
Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, etc.
IV. Knowledge and Belief of The Gospel An Essential
Prerequisite
1. General references to the necessity of belief
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him (Heb 11:6).
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom
1:16-17).
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but
the just shall live by his faith (Hab 2:4).
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but
had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God
for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth (2Th 2:12-13).
2. Baptism specifically and inseparably associated with
belief
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
(Col 2:12).
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Pe
3:21).
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned (Mar 16:16).
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the
Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were
baptized (Act 18:8).
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be
saved? (Act 16:30).
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 (Act
8:36-37).
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning
the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men
and women (Act 8:12).
V. Baptism Obligatory -- Not Optional
1. Because of its significance and the emphasis that the
Scriptures lay upon what it accomplishes, making salvation contingent upon its
observance
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (Rom 6:5).
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be
Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal
3:27-29).
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Pe 3:21).
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing
of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5).
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (Joh 3:5, 7).
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned (Mar 16:16).
2. It is expressly commanded
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days (Act 10:48).
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.(Act 22:16).
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,
and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what
shall we do? 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 Spirit (Act 2:37-38).
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Mat
28:19).
3. Its necessity proven by invariable example of the NT (see
the many passages already adduced).
4. The "One Baptism" an element of the sevenfold "Unity of the
Spirit"
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace. 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 (Eph 4:3-6)
(GVG).
