Baptism

Baptism: BAPTISM Since the words “baptism” and “baptize” are men- tioned over one hundred times in the New Testament, we must assume that this is a very important subject in the…Continue readingBaptism

BAPTISM

Since the words “baptism” and “baptize” are men- tioned over one hundred times in the New Testament, we must assume that this is a very important subject in the Bible. Thousands of people were baptized in the first century. Thousands were baptized in order to come into a covenant agreement with God. Millions since the first century have also been baptized for the same reason that the early believers were baptized. They were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Upon faith and repentance, you too can be baptized for the same reasons people were baptized two thousand years ago.

The Greek word baptizo that is used in the New Testa- ment was first transliterated in English Bibles with the new English word “baptize.” In the transliteration of the word baptizo, the equivalent sounds of the Greek letters were brought over into the English language to produce the words “baptize” and “baptism.”

However, the Greek definition of baptizo is “to dip,” “plunge,” “immerse,” or “overwhelm.” The most com- mon definition is “immerse.” Therefore, when the words “baptize” or “baptism” are used in the English Bible in reference to one’s salvation, the meaning of immersion must be understood. When people were immersed in the first century, they were immersed in “much water”.1 The New Testament teaching is that men and women were immersed in water for remission of sins.

                        THE ONE BAPTISM                      

Throughout the New Testament, six baptisms are mentioned.

(1) John’s immersion (baptism) unto repentance.2 (2) Immersion into the responsibility and burden of leadership.3 (3) Immersion with the Holy Spirit.4 (4) Immersion with fire.5 (5) Israel’s im- mersion in the cloud.6 (6) Immersion in water for remission of sins.7 When Paul wrote the Ephesian letter in A.D. 62, he proclaimed that there was only one valid immersion at that time.8 This is the immersion in water for forgiveness of sins that was first preached in Acts 2:38.

                CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM            

In order to be a candidate for immersion, the following must happen before one is immersed: (1) Only those who can be taught are to be immersed.9 (2) Only those who can understand the command to be immersed are to be immersed.10 (3) Only men and women are to be immersed.11 (4) Only those who can hear the teaching of the gospel are to be immersed.12 (5) Only those who can believe are to be immersed.13 (6) Only those who can receive the word of God are to be immersed.14 (7) Only those who can repent are to be immersed.15 Therefore, baptism is only for adults who can make a free-moral choice to be immersed.

                THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM             

The New Testament records the examples of thousands of people who believed in Jesus and were immersed.16 They were immersed in obedience to the gospel for the remission of their sins.

1. Immersion is obedience to the gospel.

The gospel is the historical event of the death of Jesus for our sins. It is the event of His burial and resurrection to give us hope of eternal life.17 This historical event is communicated to us through

the inspired word of God. Unless one obeys the gospel, he cannot be saved.18 When one is baptized, he is buried with Christ into His death in order to be raised from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life.19 Therefore, the action of baptizo is immersion into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in order to be saved. The believer obeys the gospel by immersion in water for the remission of his or her sins.

• Immersion is for the remission of sins.

When one is immersed with Jesus in obedience to the gospel, he or she comes into contact with the blood of Jesus. He thus re- ceives forgiveness of sins.20 One’s sins are thus washed away.21 God subsequently adds the immersed believer to the church of His people who are in a covenant relationship with Him.22 Baptism, therefore, stands between being lost outside Christ and saved in Christ. It is necessary, therefore, that one be baptized into Christ.

                 THE RESULT OF BAPTISM               

Baptism is a response to and obedience of the gospel. When one submits to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus by immersion, he or she receives great blessings from God. The following things happen in the spiritual realm of his or her spiritual regeneration:

1. One walks in newness of life (Rm 6:4).
2. One becomes a new creature (2 Co 5:17).
3. One appeals to God with a good conscience (1 Pt 3:21).
4. One puts on Christ (Gl 3:27).
5. One becomes an obedient subject of Christ (Jn 3:3-5).
6. One becomes a part “of Christ” (1 Co 1:12,13).
7. One comes into a relationship with Christ (Rm 6:3; Gl 3:26,27).
8. One comes into Christ where he or she receives the following:
   1. All spiritual blessings (Ep 1:3)
   1. Redemption by Jesus’ blood (Ep 1:7; Cl 1:14)
   1. Forgiveness of sins (Ep 1:7)
   1. Sanctification from sin (1 Co 1:2; 1 Jn 1:7)
   1. No condemnation (Rm 8:1)
   1. A new creation in Christ (2 Co 5:17)
   1. Eternal life with Jesus (1 Jn 5:11)
   1. Salvation for eternal life (2 Tm 2:10; At 4:12; 1 Pt 3:21)

                   EXAMPLES OF BAPTISM                 

There are many examples in the New Testament where believing men and women obeyed the gospel by immersion in water for the forgiveness of their sins.

1. The Jews on Pentecost (At 2:41-47)
2. The Samaritans (At 8:5-13)
3. The Ethiopian eunuch (At 8:26-40)
4. Saul of Tarsus (At 9:17,18; 22:16)
5. Cornelius and his household (At 10:34-48)
6. Lydia and her household (At 16:14,15)
7. The Philippian jailor and his household (At 16:30-34)
8. The Corinthians (At 18:8)

Faith, repentance and confession are unto salvation.23 How- ever, immersion is into Christ where there is salvation.24 Men are redeemed by the sacrificial blood of Jesus.25 However, this redemption by the blood is in Christ.26 One must be immersed into Christ.27 Jesus sanctified the church by His blood.28 He continues to sanctify the faithful.29 Only the sanctified, therefore, are in the body of Christ.30 In order to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus, one must be immersed into the body of Christ.31 If one has been immersed for the wrong reasons, he should be immersed again for the right reasons.32

References: 1. John 3:23, 2. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4, 3. Matthew 20:22,23, 4. Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5, 5. Mat-

thew 3:11, 6. 1 Corinthians 10:1,2, 7. Acts 2:38, 8. Ephesians 4:5, 9. Matthew 28:19,20, 10. Acts 2:38, 11. Acts

8:12, 12. Mark 16:15,16; John 6:45, 13. Mark 16:16; John 8:24; 8:12, 14. Acts 2:41, 15. Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38;

3:19; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9, 16. Acts 2:41; 6:7; 8:6,12, 17. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 18. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Peter

4:17, 19. Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12, 20. Acts 2:38, 21. Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5, 22. Acts 2:47, 23. Romans

10:9,10; 2 Corinthians 7:10, 24. 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 3:21, 25. Acts 20:28; Revelation 5:9, 26. Ephesians 1:7;

Colossians 1:14, 27. Galatians 3:27, 28. Hebrews 13:12; Revelation 7:14, 29. 1 John 1:7, 30. 1 Corinthians 1:2;

6:11, 31. 1 Corinthians 12:13, 32. Acts 19:1-6

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Assurance Regarding the Gospel

Assurance Regarding the Gospel

Lesson 1:

Introduction

Since all believers are responsible to share their faith with others, every Christian needs a clear understanding of the plan of salvation. This is especially true for new babes in Christ.

The following short presentation of the gospel is designed to reinforce the key issues and provide a tool for presenting the gospel to others as new Christians begin their walk down the road of life as Christians.

God’s Plan of Salvation

1 John 5:11-12 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

While 1 John 5:11-12 is written to Christians to give them assurance of their salvation based on the testimony of God’s Word, this passage also highlights the key issue in salvation.

God’s Declaration to Man: “And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (verse 11).

The Important Issue: “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (verse 12).

This passage teaches:

• God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ.
• The way to possess eternal life is to possess God’s Son.

Two important questions must be asked and answered:

• Why is possession of God’s Son necessary to have eternal life?
• How can a person possess or have the Son of God?

The Problem of Man’s Separation From God

According to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son. Why did Christ have to die for us? Because Scripture declares all men to be sinful. We are all sinners. To “sin” means to miss the mark. The Bible declares we have all sinned and fall short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God. In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and God must therefore judge sinful man.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …

Habakkuk 1:13a Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, And Thou canst not look on wickedness with favor.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Sin separated man from God

 

The Problem of the
Futility of Man’s Works

Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven. The moral man, the religious man, and the immoral and non-religious are all in the same boat. They all fall short of the glory of God (God’s perfect righteousness). After discussing the immoral man, the moral man, and the religious man in Romans 1:18-3:8, the apostle Paul declares that both Jews and Greeks are under sin, that “there is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:9-10), and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Romans 4:1-5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,

God’s Solution

No amount of human goodness is as good as God. God is infinite or perfect righteousness. Because of this, Habakkuk 1:13 tells us He cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness. In order to be accepted by God, we must be as good as God is. Before God, we all stand naked, helpless, and hopeless in ourselves. No amount of good living will get us to heaven or give us eternal life. What then is the solution?

God’s Solution for Man’s Problem

God is not only perfect holiness (whose holy character we can never attain to on our own or by our works of righteousness) but He is also perfect love and full of grace and mercy. Because of His love and grace, He has not left us without hope and a solution.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

This is the Good News of the Bible—the message of the gospel. It’s the message of the gift of God’s own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is God’s Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute.

Romans 1:4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Romans 4:25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

Christ reconciled man with God

 

The All-Important Question

How then do we receive God’s Son that we may cross the gulf and have the eternal life God has promised us? What becomes the issue for us today?

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name.

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states “He that has the Son has life.” We can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins.

This means we must each come to God the same way—as a sinner who recognizes his sinfulness, repudiates any form of human works for salvation, and relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation.

YOUR REACTION

Acts 16:32-33
            32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

The word of God was spoken to them as had been explained. And those who received these words responded immediately by accepting the baptism

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