Water Baptism, Part 1

“The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.”

T.S. Eliot

Kirk Cameron’s Comment

When I got married, I wanted the whole world to know. When we become Christians, Jesus wants the whole world to know. Can you imagine if the person you were going to marry didn’t want to declare his or her love for you in public, or just didn’t take the time to? Your Bridegroom has called you to publicly declare your love for Him in baptism. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Questions & Objections

Lesson

Water baptism is an ordinance that Jesus established for the Church, as shown by His command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). Jesus Himself set an example for His Church by submitting to baptism by His forerunner, John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13–17). Peter echoed the command to be baptized in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38, 41). Throughout the Book of Acts, the apostles observed the ordinance, baptizing their converts (Acts 8:12; 8:36–38; 9:18; 10:47, 48; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5, 6; 22:16). The spiritual significance of water baptism is taught in the epistles (Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:2; Galatians 3:27). There is no question about whether you should be baptized. The questions are how, when, and by whom?

The manner of water baptism prescribed in Scripture is by immersion. This is clearly seen in the meaning of the Greek word baptizo, which means to immerse. This fact is admitted even by scholars whose churches sprinkle, and is confirmed by the biblical description of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. It is also further established by the fact that when John was baptizing, he did so in Aenon “because there was much water there” (John 3:23). If he were merely sprinkling believers, he would have needed only a cupful of water. When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, “they both went down into the water” (Acts 8:38). Baptism by immersion pictures our death to sin, burial, and resurrection to new life in Christ: “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” (Romans 6:4). Likewise, Scripture tells us that we are “buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

The following statement, a typical Declaration of Faith from an evangelical organization, affirms the doctrine of baptism and explains the significance of the ordinance:

We believe that water baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord, is a blessed outward sign of an inward work, a beautiful and solemn emblem reminding us that even as our Lord died upon the cross of Calvary so we reckon ourselves now dead indeed unto sin, and the old nature nailed to the tree with Him; and that even as He was taken from the tree and buried, so we are buried with Him by baptism into His death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life.

It is important that an individual be baptized right away once he has placed his faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. To put it off would be disobedient to the teachings of Scripture. The Philippian jailer and his family were baptized at midnight, the same hour they believed (Acts 16:30–33). The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized as soon as he believed (Acts 8:35–37), as was Paul (Acts 9:17, 18). Baptism is a step of obedience, and God blesses our obedience.

As far as who should baptize you, it is clear from Scripture that other believers had the privilege, but check with your pastor; he may want the honor himself.

Some ask whether Acts 2:38 teaches that one should be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” only. The phrase “in the name of” in the Bible often means “by the authority of.” For example, Colossians 3:17 instructs us, “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.” Acts 2:38 simply indicates that people are to be baptized according to the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus, who has been given all authority, instructs us to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This emphasizes the Christian baptism as distinct from John’s baptism.

Though this description of baptism would be considered the main view of evangelical Christianity, the Body of Christ need not divide over the issue. We should major on the major issues and minor on the minor issues. Division is appropriate, however, when one teaches that a person must be baptized in order to go to heaven. This will be covered in our next lesson.

Feathers for Arrows

A man was having difficulty hearing, but not to a point where it would justify the purchase of an expensive hearing device. He was tired of asking people to speak louder, so he had a simple but novel idea. He tied two small buttons to some thread, placed one button in his shirt pocket, and the other in his ear. Those who spoke to him saw the thread running from his pocket to his ear, concluded that he was having trouble hearing, and consequently spoke louder. The devise was simple, cheap, and effective. The lesson is that we should never overlook the power of simplicity.

The apostle Paul reminds those who preach the gospel not to move away from the “simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Thank God that He made the message of salvation so simple that all humanity can understand it.

Words of Comfort

Someone gave me a tandem bicycle, which I have always wanted. It needed a little repair work, but it was just a matter of fixing a flat in the back tire. An hour or so later and the tire was as good as new ... for about two minutes. Then it went as flat as a tone-deaf teen. I abandoned the idea of fixing it, drove to the bicycle store, and bought a new tube. Two hours later, the tire was pumped up to 60 pounds per square inch, and it looked as good as new again.

Our van needed to be picked up from the repair shop, so I talked Sue into riding there on the tandem, and we rode off together on a bicycle built for two.

It was much harder to pedal than I expected, so I called from the front seat, “Are you pedaling?” She puffed that she was. A few minutes later I called the same question and she gave the same answer, but this time she could barely speak because she was so out of breath.

A short time later, it was so hard to pedal that we dismounted under a freeway overpass. While we were inspecting the back wheel, there was a deafening explosion, which was greatly amplified under the overpass, scaring the wits out of both of us.

We decided that Sue should walk on to get the van while I wheeled the bike back home, somewhat deflated.

The next day I learned a fundamental bit of knowledge one should have when repairing bike tires that are pumped up to 60 pounds per square inch. Before inflating the tube, the nozzle should be pushed in and twisted back and forth so that the tube won’t be pinched when it is inflated. I hadn’t done that and blew it big time.

It was only later that we wondered how the episode must have looked to the neighbors. We both begin our ride happily together on the tandem, then I yell, “Are you pedaling?” When we get around the corner, I holler the same question again, then there is what sounds like a gunshot ... and I come back alone. How would that look to the neighbors? For California, normal.

Questions

1. What are two verses where Jesus mentioned water baptism?
2. What is the meaning of the Greek baptizo, from which we get the word “baptism”?
3. According to Jesus in Matthew 28:19, in whose name (authority) should believers be baptized?
4. Is it true or false that baptism is an outward sign of an inward work?
5. Have you been obedient to follow Christ in baptism?

Answers to these review questions are provided in the back of the printed book / source PDF.

Memory Verse

“Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 28:19, 20

Last Words

Colonel Charters, an infidel who at the end was not so blatant in his denial of an afterlife, said as he died: “I would gladly give 30,000 Lira to have it proved to my satisfaction that there is no such place as hell.”

Colonel Charters