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The Importance of Baptism
Christian baptism has its roots in Jewish practice during the pre-Christian era. Converts
to Judaism were baptized to express their faith in God. When John the Baptist came to
prepare the hearts of the Jews to receive their Messiah, he demanded repentance,
confession of sin, and baptism in water. He declared, "I indeed baptize you with water
unto repentance: but he that cometh after me … shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire" (Matthew 3:11). Then after His resurrection, He instructed His apostles to
"Go … teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). Having their understanding opened to the will of God
regarding the plan of redemption, they were filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of
Pentecost (Acts 2). After Peter preached a sermon that brought conviction, many under deep
conviction asked the apostles, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter's answer was
unmistakably plain: "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). Peter
understood that God had chosen the combination of the name
of Jesus and water for remission of sins, and that the Lord intended
for his name to be called in the act of baptism. Take some time here to study and answer the following questions.
The Example of Jesus:
1. Was Jesus baptized? Why?
2. Was this only a public acceptance, or did it carry with it a spiritual significance/experience?
**Study Matthew 3:13-17 & Mark 1:9-11
The Great Commission of Jesus
1. Was baptism a part of the mandate of the Disciples?
2. Did Jesus attach any significance to baptism?
3. Are there any benefits attached to the act of baptism?
**Study and consider Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47
Pattern of Obedience by the Apostles.
1. How were people instructed to be baptized the first time after the Command and Commission of Christ?
Read Acts 2:36-37
2. Was this the pattern always used by the Apostles and their converts in the New Testament?
Read Acts 8:12, 8:16, 8:35-37, 9:18, 10:47-48, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 22:16
3. How was the Commission of Christ fulfilled by the Apostles?
4. Were they sprinkled? Was water poured on them? Were they immersed completely? Reread and consider what you have
read so far.
Name of Jesus
1. Was anyone in scripture following the Great Commission ever baptized in the specific formula of "in the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost?"
2. Why was baptism done in Jesus name?
3. Is there any significance to the name of Jesus?
4. Is there any New Testament teaching connecting baptism directly to Jesus Christ?
5. Is it plausible, that in obeying Matthew 28:19, that the revealed name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is in fact the name
of Jesus?
6. If baptism is in fact important and was always done in Jesus name, should we not endeavor to be sure our experience is
as close to the biblical example as possible?
Read Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:10, John 5:43, Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:4
Bonus Questions
1. Was anyone ever re-baptized?
Read Acts 19:1-5
2. If anyone was ever re-baptized, what name were they re-baptized in?
Conclusion
Unfortunately, space does not allow an in-depth study of water baptism. However, we cannot leave to mere chance or speculation the essentials of Christian baptism, but we must heed (Acts 4:12): "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." True, some denominations have traditionally sprinkled instead of immersing and have mistakenly substituted the use of the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for the use of the actual name of Jesus. We must seek truth above tradition and obey the teaching of the gospel. |
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