Baptism is one of the observances of ordinances of the New Testament church, and rest upon the last commission Christ gave to his Apostles. Matthew 28:19, 20. In this text we find ordinances expressly commanded, and their observance is to be perpetuated “unto the end of the world”.
Some religious teachers oppose the observance of all ordinances, claiming, through a misapplication of Colossian 2:4, that these were abolished at the death of Christ. But the text thus misapplied clearly shows that the abolished ordinances were those which belonged to Mosaic law, and they are stated to be meats, drinks, holidays, new moons, and Sabbaths (Colossian 2:16,17). These were the “carnal ordinances”, imposed upon them until the time of Reformation (Hebrews 9:10). “But Christ being come” Hebrews 9:11, the reformation was brought in, the Mosaic institutions were anti-typed and thus abolished, through his death and the new testament house, or church of God, with its ordinances and institutions, succeeded.
This commission authorizing ministers to go and baptize was given after the death of Christ and was consistently obeyed by the apostles afterwards, as the book of acts abundantly shows.
A believer’s baptism:
The last commission of Christ, as given by Mark, is: “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: (Mark 16:15, 16). This scripture clearly limits the subjects of baptism to those who are capable of hearing and believing the gospel; and this standard was invariably maintained by the apostles in their ministry. For example, we read concerning the multitude who received the word of God at Samaria, “And when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, “both men and women” Acts 8:12. No infants were baptized, but only persons who believed, “men and women”.
The entire practice of giving a so-called baptism to infants originated in an apostate church and is positive heresy. It is nowhere taught in the Bible, either by a single text or by a single example.
The condition for baptism is repentance. Matthew 3:1-6. Not only did John teach that the people should repent and then be baptized, but he actually required repentance of them, refusing to baptize them if they did not repent. Matthew 3:7,8. We read in another lace that “the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” Luke 7:30. Because of their unwillingness to meet the required conditions for baptism, it is said that they rejected the counsel of God.” And so it is with all anti-ordinance people; by rejecting Bible baptism they have rejected God’s word.
In his Pentecostal sermon Peter taught the same truth concerning the necessity of repentance first and baptism afterwards: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” Acts 2:38. Unless the heart is brought into the right attitude through repentance, the simple act of baptism amounts to nothing, even though performed in the bible manner and by a true minister of God. Acts 8:
- So in order to fulfill the word of God perfectly and secure a valid baptism, the candidate must observe the following.
· He must know or hear the gospel; which is usually through a minister. Mark 16:15
· He must repent of his sins and believe the gospel, the doing of which will effect his salvation. Acts 3:19; 16:31; 2:38.
· He must find a brother that is ready to baptize him. Acts 8:36,37
· Preacher and candidate must go together to a place where there is “much water”. John 3:23
· Then they must go “down both into the water”. Acts 8:38. Thus following the example of Christ in his baptism. Matthew 3:16
· The he must be “buried with him in baptism”.
· Both the preacher or brother and candidate can then “come up out of the water”. Acts 8:39
· Then the candidate, having obeyed the word and followed his Lord, can go “on his way rejoicing” Acts 8:39.
· Baptism is also a figure. (The figure in three types considered) 1. Death, 2. Burial, or to plant, and 3. Resurrection. Romans 6:1-6
· Baptism also is a public confession and renunciation of ones former sins and beliefs Acts. 22;12-23, for example when one was converted from Hinduism to Christianity, the individual was ostracize; i.e. publicly ignored. And for the one who was converted from the Muslim religion to Christianity the penalty was death.
· Note: For one to be baptized under such conditions meant something. How much value is placed on your baptism? Is your baptism still working for you? Paul was. Acts 24:10-16. When a Jew was converted to Christianity, He was cut off from his inheritance and all family ties broken, and He was considered as dead with funeral rites to follow.
This brings to mind Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler who tried to cut corners on public baptism (John 3:1-7), from the fact of coming to Jesus by night, lets us know He wanted to profess Jesus secretly, like many today. Many Jews would have accepted Christ, but public baptism commanded a denunciation of one’s former religion, which they were not willing to part with. Also one may say what did it mean to be baptized in the name of Jesus? Acts 2:37,38; Acts 19:1-5.
The term in the name of Jesus means to take on your public profession of Christ, by being baptized in his name (authority); and thus acknowledging yourselves publicly to be his disciples and servants. It was by being baptized in his name that the Jews took upon themselves the profession of Christ; and it was in consequence of this that the disciples of Christ were called Christians. For this was the criterion of a Jew’s conversion; and when a Jew had received baptism in this name he was excluded from all communication with his countrymen; and so man would have forfeited such privileges, but on the fullest and clearest conviction.
This baptism was a very powerful means to prevent their apostasy: they had, by receiving baptism in the name of Jesus, renounced Judaism and all the political advantages connected with it, and they found it indispensably necessary to make the best use of that holy religion which they ahd received in its stead. The Gentiles who received the Christian doctrine were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost; whereas the Jewish converts, for the reasons already given, were baptized in the name of Jesus. Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15, 16. For Jesus, was the very one that they rejected and crucified.
Does water wash away sin? Acts 22:12-16; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 1:5; 1 John 1:7-9.
After one accepts Christ when does he get baptized? Acts 16:13-15; 25-34; 2:41. Today there is a great lack in the act of water baptism. Ministers today, put off for weeks, months and years the candidate baptism. This is a great lack in obeying the commandment and example of the New Testament Ordinance.
The definition of Baptism: means to dip, to immerse.
Conclusion: In time past strange manifestations of God was wrought at Public baptism as a indication of His approval and divine presence. Acts 8:38-40