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. Living
Hope Fellowship Church
Basic Bible Study Course
WATER
BAPTISM
LESSON
#5
1.
ORDINANCE AND PRINCIPLE OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
2. IMMERSION
3. COMMANDMENT
4. FOR BELIEVERS
5. WATER BAPTISM DOES NOT FORGIVE YOUR SINS, it shows you
are forgiven.
6. JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE
7. WHEN SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
8. FALSE DOCTRINE
WATER
BAPTISM
1. ORDINANCE
AND PRINCIPLE OF DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
Water
baptism is an ordinance and a principle of the doctrine of
Christ. The Bible teaches us to obey the ordinances of God
and to follow the doctrines of his son Jesus. Read Exodus
18:20 and Leviticus 18:4.
Therefore
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go
on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine
of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2.
Water
baptism is called the baptism of repentance. It shows the
world you believe God for salvation and have repented of your
sins.
John
did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance
for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4.
John
the Baptist preached that you need to repent, confessing your
sins, and be baptized. Doing this shows God and the world
that you believe God's holy Word and are willing to obey it.
Luke 1:17 tells how the preaching of John the Baptist about
repentance and water baptism prepared the people for the coming
of Jesus. There is repentance, water baptism, the Holy Ghost
baptism, growing in grace, and much more. We are supposed
to go on to receive the gifts of the Spirit. We are supposed
to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude
1:3) and to attain to the ". . . stature of the fulness of
Christ:" (Ephesians 4:13). We are able to build on the foundation
God provided for us in Hebrews 6:1-2.
There
are two separate baptisms available to believers in Christ
Jesus. They are water baptism and the Holy Ghost baptism.
People baptize with water but the Holy Ghost baptism is a
supernatural baptism from heaven. We will deal with water
baptism in this lesson. There is separate lesson on the Holy
Ghost baptism. Read Luke 3:16 and John 1:33.
2. IMMERSION
In order
to fully understand about baptism we need to know what the
word itself means. Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.
BAPTISM:
to plunge, immerse.
BAPTIZE:
to plunge, immerse, to purify; cleanse; initiate.
Initiate
means beginning, in the first stage. Immersion means baptism
in which the person's whole body is dipped under water.
Therefore,
getting baptized according to the scriptures is having your
body plunged completely under water. This is your first step
in following Christ, AFTER repentance.
IMMERSION
is the correct way to baptize. Sprinkling with water as a
form of water baptism is not scriptural. Jesus brought in
the New Testament. God's Word is infallible; it is the law
of God. There is no scriptural basis for sprinkling as a form
of water baptism. Bible scriptures DO support water baptism
by immersion (remember above where Webster said that this
means the person's whole body is dipped UNDER water). Also
read Matthew 3:16.
And John
also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was
much water there: and they came, and were baptized. John 3:23.
And it
came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth
of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway
coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and
the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: Mark 1:9-10.
3. COMMANDMENT
Water
baptism is a commandment of Christ. God sent John the Baptist
to baptize. Jesus was baptized. Jesus commanded his disciples
to baptize.
Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew
28:19. (Jesus said this.)
And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days. Acts 10:48. (Peter,
an apostle, commanded water baptism here, obeying Christ's
command.)
4. FOR
BELIEVERS
True
repentance includes being sorry for sin, asking forgiveness,
and then by the grace and help of the Lord, changing. There
is an immediate change in the heart and we grow in grace.
Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians
5:17.
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. Acts 8:12.
The Spirit
told Philip to join himself to the eunuch's chariot. He did
and found the man reading the Word. He was seeking God. Philip
preached unto him Jesus. Then the eunuch wanted to be baptized.
Philip told him if he believed with all his heart, he could
get baptized. Read Acts 8:26-40.
(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. Acts 8:37-38.
After
you show God through repentance of sins that you will serve
him, you show God and the world through water baptism that
you are going to follow God. The dictionary says that baptism
is used as a symbol of washing away sin. It is an outward
sign of an inward experience.
You can
wash the outside of something but the inside can still be
dirty. Therefore repentance must precede water baptism because
without repentance, water baptism has no value.
Thou
blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup
and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew
23:26.
5. WATER
BAPTISM DOES NOT FORGIVE YOUR SINS, it shows you are forgiven.
Baptism
is an outward sign that you have been born again (saved) and
are following the commandments of Jesus. Some people get baptized
in water and are still not forgiven of sins or free from the
devil's bondage. An example of this is: Simon the sorcerer
found in Acts 8:5-24. In verse 13, "Then Simon himself believed
also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip,
and wondered beholding the miracles and signs which were done."
Then he wanted to pay money for the things of God. Verse 19,
"Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." He believed the salvation
message was real and was baptized, but where was the repentance?
This
lets us know that water baptism does not save you. Simon believed
and was baptized but was not saved. He had not decided to
forsake his sins. You cannot be saved without repenting of
your sins and accepting the atoning blood of Jesus to cleanse
you of those sins. Peter talked to him in verse 20-23. "(20)
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because
thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with
money. (21) Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:
for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (22) Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps
the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. (23) For
I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in
the bond of iniquity."
Simon
believed, and was baptized, yet Peter said that Simon's heart
was not right and that he was in the bond of iniquity. Being
a believer is not enough. The devils also believe and tremble
(James 2:19). We must cleanse our hearts of sin and forsake
sin (Proverbs 28:13). In order to be ready to meet God you
have to repent and change your ways from sinful living to
righteous living through Christ. Therefore you see that water
baptism does not actually save you. The Bible says that the
blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Read
Romans 6:13.
John baptized
in water and admitted that water baptism did not cleanse you
from sin by what he said in John 1:29.
The next
day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John
1:29.
Ananias
told Saul (Paul) to get baptized. Acts 22:16. "And now why
tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord." The blood of Jesus Christ
cleanseth us from all sin. Therefore water baptism is a symbol
of our cleansing of sins by the blood of Jesus.
In whom
we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7.
The doctrine
that water baptism by itself saves you, hence obtaining forgiveness
of sins, is false doctrine, but after repentance, we must
be baptized according to the commandment of the Lord!
But if
we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.
The atonement
for our sins came about when Jesus died on the cross, an innocent
sacrifice for sinful man. God raised him from the dead to
live eternally, making intercession for us. God ordained it
this way. Baptism is to remind us of the dying of the will
of our flesh, and newness of our life in Christ.
(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. (5) For if
we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,
we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6)
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that
the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. Romans 6:4-6.
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. Colossians 2:12.
Water
baptism is not done to wash the dirt off of the body, but
to show we have asked God to forgive us of our sins. The heart
and conscience therefore is cleansed by faith in the atoning
blood of Jesus, and we are obeying Christ's command to be
baptized.
(18)
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death
in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (21) 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: 1 Peter
3:18 & 21.
Jesus
was literally put to death in the flesh. The "like figure"
shows a similitude. God quickened (made alive) the dead flesh
of Jesus and he was resurrected. God puts to death the sin
and guilt in us when he forgives us. He resurrects us in new
life, giving us a good conscience toward God.
Jesus
died. We show a symbol of our flesh dying by being immersed
under the water since we bury dead people. Jesus rose again.
We show that we put our will to death by going under the water
and when we raise up out of the water at water baptism, we
show we rise in newness of a changed life. Read Romans 6:12-19.
Study 1 Corinthians 15:26-58. Read Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians
4:24, and Colossians 3:9 & 10. For further study, read 1 Corinthians
15:29-31, and 2 Corinthians 4:16.
6. JESUS
IS OUR EXAMPLE
Jesus
was baptized. A follower of Christ will obey his commands.
Read Mark 1:5.
Then
cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized
of him. Matthew 3:13.
Know ye
not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3.
For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. Galatians 3:27.
7. WHEN
SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
Here
are some scriptural examples: Read Acts 8:26-40. The eunuch
in these scriptures was riding along. As he rode, Philip preached
to him Jesus and the man believed. They stopped the chariot
and Philip baptized the man.
When
you are convicted by God to repent, He also convicts you to
follow Him closely from then on. You should be baptized as
soon as possible to show the world you have made a change
from sinful living to godly living.
The keeper
of the prison in Acts chapter 16 got saved and the same hour
of the night was baptized and all his household. They got
baptized immediately according to this. If there is not a
suitable place around for you to get baptized, pray and God
will provide.
And he
took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes;
and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Acts 16:33
You should
seek the Holy Ghost baptism right after water baptism because
it will guide you and give you power. Read Acts 1:8 and John
16:13.
8. FALSE
DOCTRINES CONCERNING WATER BAPTISM.
a. Infant
baptism is not scriptural. Baptism is to take place after
true repentance of sin and by faith. This can be accomplished
when a person reaches the age of accountability, at which
time you know right from wrong and are capable of making your
own choice. Obviously, an infant cannot do this. Read Romans
5:12 and Romans 3:23 (all are sinners).
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. Acts 2:38.
Bring
forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Matthew 3:8.
b. Some
say and teach that water baptism is unimportant; this is false
doctrine. Water baptism is important. The thief on the cross
to whom Jesus referred, ". . .To day shalt thou be with me
in paradise," had not the opportunity to come down and get
baptized. There are probably other exceptions, as someone
dying shortly after accepting Christ as savior, but the Bible
says that he that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to
him it is sin (James 4:17). Water baptism is a commandment.
He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. Mark 16:16.
c. Jesus
is our example. It is false doctrine to baptize other than
the way Jesus taught in the Word. Matthew 28:19 tells us how
Jesus said to baptize! Read also Acts 2:38.
(12)
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul;
and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (13) Is
Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized
in the name of Paul? (14) I thank God that I baptized none
of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (15) Lest any should say that
I had baptized in mine own name. 1 Corinthians 1:12-15.
Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew
28:19. (Jesus said this.)
d. The
doctrine that water baptism forgives sins is false doctrine.
But if
we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.
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Living
Hope Fellowship, Inc.
E-mail
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Phone 618-634-2541
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