Doctrine of Baptism
Tonight, our Bible study continues in Hebrews 6 with the doctrine of baptisms. The scriptures provide enough material to do several Bible studies, but for our purposes tonight, since we are covering the basic doctrines of the church, let's cover the very basic, fundamental concepts of baptism.
Let's return to:
Hebrews 6:1-2
1. 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,
2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Again we are not doing away with these basic doctrines, we simply want to get these foundational doctrines cemented in our minds to the point they cannot be shaken. Only then can we build a solid structure on top of them. Now, we know doctrine simply means teaching. So what does the Bible teach us about baptism?
SPS: Tonight, I want to go to the scriptures to answer a few of the questions many people have about baptism. Questions like: What is baptism? Why should you be baptized? How should you be baptized? Who is qualified to baptize? When should you be baptized? And finally, a question virtually all of us have wondered at one time or another, is my baptism valid?
Let's begin with what is baptism?
The word baptize is translated from the Greek word baptizo. Pronounced as bap'tid'zo , #907 in Strongs dictionary. This word along with the word it is derived from (#911) means to immerse; to fully wet; to plunge or put into.
Before we are baptized, we are fully immersed in this world. Satan's society. God wants us to be baptized into a different way of life. He wants us to be fully immersed in a Godly lifestyle. So, a change is necessary.
Lets go to Acts 2:37-38
Peter here speaking on the day of Pentecost right after he was filled with the Holy Spirit told the Jews that they were wicked and had killed the Savior of the world.
37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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 Spirit.
When we perceive that we are headed in a wrong direction, this is the question we should ask: What should I do now?
Notice the first thing God inspired Peter to say. Repent. We know there are 3 basic levels of repentance in the NT. To be sorry, to be sorry to the point that you head in a different direction, and finally to turn from what you were toward what God is.
The word translated "repent" here in Acts 2:38 is #3340 - metaneo - means to reconsider, to change your mind & purpose. This is the 2nd level of repentance. God does not yet expect you to be mature enough to reach the 3rd level of repentance at baptism. After all, you don't have the Holy Spirit in you yet. We get the Holy Spirit after baptism through the laying on of hands. Once we are baptized, God expects us to yield to the Holy Spirit and convert our lives to a Godly lifestyle.
Becoming converted means being CHANGED. When one receives the
Holy Spirit of God, his whole viewpoint, his outlook, his purpose,
goals, ways of thought -- everything -- becomes CHANGED! It is a
renewing of the MIND -- the Spirit of a sound mind.
So, being converted -- receiving the Holy Spirit of
God -- is merely the beginning! Then begins a lifetime of LIVING
under the law of GOD - living by God's laws which express His will, instead of our usual self-will and desire.
A question many people have is:
Do you really need to be baptized?
We find the undeniable answer to this in Mark 16:15-16
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned".
Notice he gives 2 requirements here to be saved. You must believe and be baptized. You will not be in the first resurrection without either one.
Next, let's notice the very beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 1:15 Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
The very first words He proclaimed, at the very beginning of His Gospel,
were to command the TWO CONDITIONS to becoming a Christian:
REPENTANCE, and FAITH. Those are two things we must do! Notice these were the 2 doctrines we started with in Hebrews 6. Repentance and faith precede and lead to baptism!
Repentance leads to faith and faith leads to baptism. Baptism actually requires faith.
Acts 8:35-37
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 believe with all your heart, thou may.
In other words, if you do not believe with all of your heart, you should not be baptized.
Baptism is an ordinance symbolizing FAITH in the death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Once these conditions are complied with, God stands bound by
a PROMISE to put within the repentant believer HIS SPIRIT -- which
means His LOVE, faith, understanding, gentleness and goodness,
power, etc. The HOLY SPIRIT changes us! We cannot get the Holy Spirit without baptism, so we see baptism is a requirement on the way to salvation!
Why should you be baptized?
Remember we read baptism is for the remission of sins. Why was Jesus baptized then? For our example. Jesus, though He had committed no sins to be remitted, was baptized, setting the example for us. Not only did He set the proper example, He fulfilled the standards He sets for us.
We read of this in Matthew 3:13-17
13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14. But John forbade 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:
17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
We also find this in Mark 1:4-9, Luke 3, and John 1
Jesus was not like the Pharisees. He lived so as to be the example for us, and lived according to His own words.
Another reason why we need to be baptized is that no human being can naturally and normally yield himself to obey God through his own strength. Paul explains why this is impossible:
Romans 8:5-9
5. For they that are after the flesh (before baptism) do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit (after baptism) the things of the Spirit.
6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
We are still carnal until God puts His Holy Spirit in us which happens after baptism.
We are not even converted, not even STARTED on the way to final salvation, unless and until we RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM GOD!
We must have Christ's Spirit within us -- guiding our thoughts
and actions -- to be recognized as His.
We are physical people. Baptism is an outward, physical sign that we are making a covenant with God to change our lives. Sin is the transgression of God's law (I John 3:4). Baptism shows our willingness to BURY sin, and the old sinful man, and to walk in NEWNESS of life, obedient to God and His laws through the POWER of God's Spirit which He promises to give us after baptism!
When should you be baptized?
The common practice of infant baptism gradually evolved from
the false pagan concept that all are born with the inherent sin
("original sin") of Adam, and unless baptized, the individual is
eternally lost because of Adam's sin.
"The administration of baptism to infants was subsequently
rendered compulsory by an edict of Emperor Justinian, who reigned
over the Eastern Roman Empire from A.D. 527 to A.D. 565. He
enacted 'that such pagans as were yet unbaptized, should present
themselves, with their wives and children, and all that
appertained to them, in the church; and THERE THEY SHOULD CAUSE
THEIR LITTLE ONES IMMEDIATELY TO BE BAPTIZED.' " (Cole's
Archaeology of Baptism, p. 120.)
Some present the argument that the infants and older
children of Cornelius' household were baptized by Peter (Acts
10). This is merely an ASSUMPTION. The Scriptures nowhere
indicate whether or not Cornelius' "household" included any
children under adult age. Those baptized in Cornelius' house must
have been MATURE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND the conditions of salvation and able to truly repent and believe! Children, if any were
present, would NOT have been baptized. The same explanation
applies to the baptism of the Philippian jailor's "household"
(Acts 16:31-33)
Children are not mature enough to reach even the 2nd level of repentance, so they should not be baptized. Acts 2:38
Another doctrine being taught today is that of "Baptism for
the Dead." Its history, like that of infant baptism, clearly
descends from paganism. It is widely practiced and taught by one
large denomination whose members have themselves "baptized" for
dead relatives and friends who died unbaptized. This custom is
based on their misrepresentation of I Corinthians 15:29.
Can the dead repent? No
As one proof of the resurrection, Paul cites in verse 29 the
example of those who were baptized, symbolizing their HOPE in the
RESURRECTION. He is actually asking the question, "why be
baptized IF the dead rise not?" Therefore, since Paul is speaking
of the HOPE of the resurrection in the context of chapter 15,
verse 29 should properly read: "Else what shall they do which are
baptized for (THE HOPE OF) the dead, if the dead rise not at all?
Why are they then baptized for (THE HOPE OF) the dead?"
What is the hope of the dead? The resurrection! In verse 29
Paul is writing about baptism, which pictures, among other
things, the HOPE of the RESURRECTION! Arising out of the watery
"grave" of baptism is a symbol of the hope of the DEAD -- the
hope of a FUTURE RESURRECTION which they had when they were
alive.
We cannot do anyone any good by being baptized for them.
So, when should you be baptized? As soon as you are MATURE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND the conditions of salvation and are ready to truly repent, believe (faith), and to make an everlasting commitment to God.
How should you be baptized?
The word "baptize" is not an English word. It is a Greek word.
The New Testament was written in the Greek language. In translating
it into English, the translators left this Greek word untranslated.
Literally, in the Greek, the word is "baptizo". The definition of
this word is "IMMERSE." It means to plunge into, put into, dip. It
does not mean "to sprinkle" or "to pour." The Greek word for
"sprinkle" is "rantidzo", and "to pour" is "cheo" in Greek. The
Holy Spirit did not inspire the use of these words, but baptizo,
meaning IMMERSE, PUT INTO.
John baptized around about Aenon near Jerusalem, "because
there was much water there" (John 3:23). He would have needed only
a cupful to sprinkle, or a pitcherful to pour -- but baptizing
required "MUCH WATER" in a river. Also this verse indicates John
baptized the subject with much water, not by pouring a cupful of
water on the subject.
Remember, Jesus set the example, and He was put down into the water, for He went up OUT OF the water. Also, both Philip and the eunuch went down INTO the water (Acts 8:38). There was no reason whatsoever for Philip to go actually into the water, except for the reason there was no other way he could plunge the eunuch INTO the river. They came up out of the
water (verse 39).
Who is qualified to do the baptizing?
Matthew 28:19-20
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
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.
Who is Jesus talking to here? Those men who followed Him.
Consider now Christ's teaching. Those who go forth teaching, or preaching, His Gospel are the ones He commanded and commissioned to do the baptizing.
However, notice that the one performing the baptism ceremony
was a representative (though not necessarily an ordained minister)
of the true Church of God in every New Testament case. If your actions or works, do not produce Godly fruit, you do not represent God. If you don't truly live by Christ's name, you had better not be praying or baptizing in His name.
Jesus also set the example for ministers. Did you know that Jesus
baptized more disciples than John the Baptist?
Listen: "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into
the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and
baptized .... When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had
heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples) ... " (John
3:22 and 4:1-2).
There is an important meaning here. Actually Jesus did not do
the physical work of baptizing these people Himself -- He had His
disciples do it for Him! And what they did, by His authority and
command, is attributed to Him! So it was considered as if Jesus
Himself had baptized them.
Here is a vitally important truth. His disciples did the baptizing IN HIS NAME -- that is, in His stead -- they did it for Him, by His authority -- and that was considered just the same as if Jesus had actually done it Himself!
To ask for anything in prayer, or to do or perform anything, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, is to ask or do it BY HIS AUTHORITY. This is what it means to be an Ambassador for Christ. An awesome responsibility, don't you think?
Remember, Jesus Himself immersed no one with His own physical hands -- His disciples did it for Him, by His authority. And right there is the point which answers the whole question. The one qualified to do the immersing must always perform it IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST -- which means by His authority, acting for Christ as His disciple.
The principle is that IT IS CHRIST WHO IS BAPTIZING YOU. The
man who puts you under the water is merely performing this physical
act for Christ, in His stead. You are not to look to the human man,
further than to conscientiously try to go to one you honestly feel
is a man of God, called of Christ, and used of Him in the work of
His true Church. And if later he turns the wrong way, your
salvation does not depend on that man or any other mortal man, BUT
SOLELY UPON CHRIST! There is no cause to be baptized again by
another man.
Since some today are being baptized over again "in the name of
Jesus ONLY" in order to eliminate the Father, and the Holy Spirit,
this should be considered here. The contention of these people is
that this passage in Matthew 28:19 is the only place in the Bible
where the names of the Father and the Holy Spirit are commanded.
All other passages mention only the name of Jesus.
In this passage, the word translated "in" should properly be
translated "into." The meaning, then, is that repentant believers
are baptized INTO God the Father, and into Christ the Son, and into
the Holy Spirit. But the one who plunges the new believer under the
water performs the act IN THE NAME OF -- that is, by authority of,
JESUS CHRIST. Why? Because Jesus said "ALL POWER" -- and that
includes all authority -- "is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
He has ALL authority! Either we do it by His authority, or else we
are doing it without any authority.
In Matthew 28:19 the original Greek word translated "in" is
"eis", and actually means "into." Therefore, this verse should be
translated, "... baptizing them INTO THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
In other words, when a person is baptized and receives God's
Spirit, he becomes the begotten SON of God -- God places HIS OWN
NAME on the newly baptized believer! He now carries the name of
GOD. He belongs to God. He is God's SON!
This scripture simply means we are baptized or immersed INTO
the DIVINE FAMILY NAME CALLED "GOD"! And it is done "in the name" -- by the AUTHORITY -- "OF Jesus Christ."
Now back to the example of Christ. In His own earthly ministry, He
had this immersing performed for Him by His disciples. At that time
they were not even converted -- had not yet received the Holy Spirit-
-for the Holy Spirit was not yet given (John 7:39) because Jesus
had not yet ascended to heaven to send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7),
which first came to enter within and convert these disciples on the
day of Pentecost.
Is my baptism valid?
Remember in Acts 2:38 we are told to repent and then be baptized. The word translated "repent" here in Acts 2:38 is #3340 - metaneo - means to reconsider, to change your mind & purpose. This is the 2nd level of repentance. God does not yet expect you to be mature enough to reach the 3rd level of repentance at baptism. After all, you don't have the Holy Spirit in you yet. If you repented, you changed your mind, purpose, and direction from what you were before that time, you are headed in the right direction.
What if you were baptized in a worldly church?
Most "baptized" church-going so-called "Christians" of this world
never really knew what to repent of when they were baptized. At the time of their "baptism" they intended to "do better" or to "make their peace
with God." But their "ministers" never revealed God's definition
of sin to them -- what they must repent of! How can you go in a different direction if you don't know you need to? Since they have never been taught God's definition of sin, they have failed completely to realize what rotten and sinful lives they have led. If you don't know that God expects you to keep His law, how can you repent for not keeping it? How can you know to go in a different direction? People who don't know what is right from wrong cannot truly repent.
Those men who go forth teaching, or preaching, His Gospel are the ones He commanded and commissioned to do the baptizing (Matt. 28:19-20).
The world teaches a gospel about Jesus, not the gospel he taught.
We also find that 2 Corinthians 11:4 talks about people preaching "another Jesus" other than the One the apostles preached. That is what the protestant churches do. They don't truly know God or Christ, so how can they commit to Him?
Here is another gigantic point we must realize: If you are baptized into another Jesus, you are baptized into another body.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
If you believed the law was done away with at the time of your baptism, it was impossible for you to truly repent!
There is only one body of Christ. Can you be immersed into a false, counterfeit system, a different Jesus, a different body, and still be in the true body of Christ? The answer is a bold, emphatic No! If you want to be a part of the true body of Christ, you must be baptized into the true Jesus Christ!
In Conclusion:
Tonight we went to the scriptures to answer questions about baptism. We looked at what baptism is. Why should you be baptized? How should you be baptized? Who is qualified to baptize? When should you be baptized? And even is your baptism valid?
Let's strive to remember our covenant we made with God at baptism. Let's do our best to become totally immersed in a Godly way of life, as a member of the one true body of Christ. Next week, I believe, we will add to the foundation by hearing about the laying on of hands.
