Share with

Lesson 16

What The Bible Teaches About
The Happy Occasion Of Baptism

True Baptism

1. Why must we get baptized?

Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2. What is the correct way to baptize?

Matthew 3:13-16

Matthew 3:13-16 (KJV)
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:

3. Is baptism indispensable to be saved?

Mark 16:16

Mark 16:16 (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

4. What does baptism symbolize?

Romans 6:3

Romans 6:3 (KJV)
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

5. What statement does God make on the occasion of baptism?

Matthew 3:17

Matthew 3:17 (KJV)
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Wonderful Results Of Baptism

6. What two blessings are received with baptism?

Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 (KJV)
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.

7. What divine institution do the baptize join?

Acts 2:41, 42, 47

Acts 2:41, 42, 47 (KJV)
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

8. What glorious experience does the baptized individual obtain?

Romans 6:4

Romans 6:4 (KJV)
4 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.

WHAT MUST I DO?

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:37

Acts 8:37 (KJV)
37 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.

2. Abandon sin.

Romans 6:11-13

Romans 6:11-13 (KJV)
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

3. Ask for holy baptism.

Acts 8:35-38

Acts 8:35-38 (KJV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 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? 37 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. 38 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.

4. Respond to God's calling without delay.

Hebrews 3:15

Hebrews 3:15 (KJV)
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

MY RESOLUTION

I believe in baptism by immersion. I wish to get baptized following the example of Jesus.

Addtional Study 16

What is Baptism?

The word baptism comes from a Greek word meaning "to sink," "to submerge." Baptism is a symbol of death to a life of unbelief, and birth to a new experience in Christ. It is a reminder of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3, 4). Our Lord Jesus Christ, even though he did not need to be baptized, he did so as an example for us (John 3:15). We are baptized because Jesus indicated we should be and in name of the holy Godhead (Matthew 28:19).

Who Can Be Baptized?

All who meet with the required conditions. Among those conditions are: Believing in the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:36-38). Repenting of all sin (Acts 2:38). Confessing all sin (Proverbs 28:13). Knowing doctrine (Matthew 28:20). Practicing doctrine (Matthew 7:21). Asking for holy baptism (Acts 8:36).

When we apply these conditions, it is clear that a young child cannot be baptized. But a minor that understands doctrine can be. If we have been baptized without our consent, without a complete comprehension of all truth, in an incorrect way, or if we have gone away from the truth, the Bible authorizes a new baptism (Acts 19:1-5).

Forms of Baptism

According to the meaning of the word, with Jesus' and the apostles' custom, and with its symbolism, the baptism must be by immersion, in other words, covering the person completely with water. Jesus "went up out of the water" (Matthew 3:16). John baptized where "there was plenty of water" (John 3:23). "They went down both into the water" (Acts 8:38). There is only one true baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

Cardinal James Gibbons says: "For several centuries, after the establishing of Christianity, baptism was ordinarily conferred by immersion, but since the 12th century the practice of baptism by infusion has prevailed in the Catholic Church..." —The Faith of Our Fathers, p. 256. Monsignor John Straubinger, commenting on a verse about baptism, says: "It refers to the baptism of the early Christians, which were baptized by completely submerging in water. Just as Christ was buried upon his death, we are buried in the waters of baptism." — New Testament, p. 614.

The Result of Baptism

When this ritual is done sincerely, it is a public testimony of turning away from the sinful past life and the birth of a new life in Christ. The forgiveness of past sins is promised as well as an abundant measure of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Also, the baptized individual has a new relationship with Christ (Galatians 3:27). He becomes a member of Christ's church (Acts 2:41).

After Baptism

The old life has been buried in the liquid tomb. Now a new life begins (Romans 6:4). Henceforth, the way of living must change completely (Ephesians 4:22-24). Normally, there should be no more sin (1 John 3:9). Now we have to be careful with evil, trust in God and the evil one will not touch us (1 John 5:18). The great work of sanctification begins now (Romans 6:22); this consists of a constant perfecting of our character. This task lasts the whole life. There must not be standstills or relapses (Proverbs 4:18).

The secret of sanctification consist in a perfect union with our Lord Jesus (John 15:4, 5). Without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, everything is possible (Philippians 4:13). There will be a constant struggle with the "old man," who we should "crucify," and allow that Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). We must never lose heart, but rather persevere until the end (Matthew 24:13).