Doctrine 8. Water Baptism – CALVARY LIGHT OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH

Doctrine : Water Baptism.

Beloved brethren, we come again this morning to study the doctrines of the Bible.

They are twenty two in numbers.

You as a Bible believing believer, as a matter of compulsion, must be grounded on these twenty two doctrines.

IT WAS A FIRM PARTING INSTRUCTION FROM OUR MASTER AND LORD THAT HIS CHURCH, BOUGHT WITH HIS BLOOD MUST BE TAUGHT, EVERYTHING HE HIMSELF TAUGHT.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

THE CHURCH ARE THE BRETHREN REDEEMED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

IT IS WHEN THE ENTIRE DOCTRINES ARE TAUGHT, THAT, THE ETERNAL WELL BEING OF THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP ARE SECURED.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

THE EARLY CHURCH IN OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST TAUGHT THE DOCTRINES, HE HIMSELF TAUGHT.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

BIBLE DOCTRINE 8: WATER BAPTISM

God’s Word teaches:

That Water Baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God.

Water Baptism is one immersion (not three) “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, as Jesus commanded – Matthew 28:19; 3:13-17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 8:38,39; 19:1-6; Romans 6:4,5.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus submitted Himself to this holy ordinance why would you not, if you have not done it.

Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 3:15 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. 3:16 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: 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 8:36 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? 8:37 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. 8:38 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. 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

This is the essence of water baptism.

Romans 6:4 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. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Water baptism is one of the cardinal doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet one of the most misunderstood teachings by contemporary teachers and preachers.

Some, at one extreme, believe that it is not necessary because of its abuse by nominal Christians while at the other extreme; others believe that without water baptism, one cannot be saved.

In the middle is yet another group that believes that though it is necessary, it must be administered in the name of Jesus only.

All of them are wrong because Jesus Christ commanded that water baptism should be administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19; John 1:14; John 2:5).

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Doing otherwise therefore is to disobey Jesus Christ.

The word ‘baptize’ is a Greek word ‘baptiso’, which means to immerse, ‘dip inside liquid’.

This shows the proper form of baptism is by immersion inside water.

The immersion signifies identification with the

burial of Christ in His death and rising up in newness of life with Him at His resurrection (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12).

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 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. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Colossians 2:12 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.

In baptism, the believer shows his faith that Christ died for his sins and rose again for his justification:

that if he dies he will be raised again in the resurrection and that he dies to his old life and rises to walk in the new life with Christ.

The immersion is done only ONCE and not THRICE.

Jesus Christ was dipped inside River Jordan only once (Matthew 3:16);

Matthew 3:16 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

the eunuch of Ethiopian was immersed in water once (Acts 8:38).

Acts 8:38 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.

When we submit for water baptism it is an acknowledgement of Christ in a public way.

Therefore it is a public ceremony, which witnesses to all that one has put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Jesus commanded that the gospel be preached to sinners and as they repent and believe the gospel, they should be baptized.

This confirms that water baptism is for those who fully repent of their sins (Acts 2:38).

Acts 2:38 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 Ghost.

This also confirms that only adults who can exercise faith to believe can be baptized (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 10:9,10; 20:21; Mark 1:14,15)

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

. It is fundamentally wrong to baptize infants who have not reached the stage of accountability as practiced by some orthodox churches.

The pages of the New Testament are filled with references on water baptism. In Matthew 3:13-17,

Jesus submitted Himself to John the Baptist for water baptism to fulfill all righteousness.

The testimony of God the Father to the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ, through the descent of the Holy Ghost on Him as He came out of the water after the water baptism was in agreement with it.

Matthew 3:16 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: 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Christ’s command of Matthew 28:19 was re-echoed in Mark 16:16.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The Apostles also continued to baptize in obedience to the command of Christ: the converts on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37:-42,47);

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38),

Acts 8:38 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.

Samaritan converts (Acts 8:12,13),

Acts 8:12 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. 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Cornelius and his kinsmen (Acts 10:47,48);

Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:30-33);

Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

the Ephesian disciples (Acts 19:5).

Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Salvation does not come through water baptism but by grace through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9; 1 John 1:7,9; Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 26:28; John 1:12; 3:16,17; 1 Peter 3:21).

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Scripture records a catalogue of those who got saved without water baptism being a pre- condition: the sick of the palsy healed by Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:1-7);

the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and cleansed them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50);

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10); the thief on the cross (Luke 24:39-43);

Eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:30-37);

those who believed in Antioch (Acts 11:20,21);

Saul of Tarsus was addressed as Brother Saul by Ananias before he submitted himself for water baptism (Acts 9:17).

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Jesus laid down the standard for water baptism and it is to be carried out in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Every believer in obedience to Christ’s command should therefore submit to this ordinance of water baptism.

The importance of water baptism was expressed by Jesus Christ in His parting words. He said: “He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved”.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The opinions of men cannot contradict the stand of the Scripture (Matthew 28:19).

Once a person repents of his sins, it is mandatory that he submits himself to water baptism as provided for in the Scriptures (Romans 6:3,4).

The practice was upheld in the early church.

Converts were baptized in water soon after their salvation experience (Acts 2:41; 8:37,38; 16:30,31,33).

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls

Every convert is therefore enjoined to yield to this important injunction.

Pastors must do their utmost best to encourage their flocks to attach great importance to this practice.

Acts 20:28 says: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Peter encouraged his hearers to “repent and be BAPTIZED everyone of you……for the remission of sin….”

Acts 2:38 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 Ghost.

Beloved brethren, I am persuaded you are saved. You should have been baptized in water in one immersion.

If you have not, reach out to your assembly and let them make arrangement for you too , to be baptized and fulfil all righteousness as Jesus did.

Let us pray.

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