.htm_cmp_blends110_bnr.gif)
Intro.
1. Mark 16:15-16 - Jesus taught the importance of being baptized. Yet, there is more confusion & controversy over baptism than perhaps any other Bible subject!
a. This is not God's fault! - 1 Cor. 14:33.
b. We can know the truth on this important Bible subject (Jn. 8:32).
2. Begin a series of lessons on water baptism, and we intend to "speak the oracles of God" - 1 Pet. 4:11.
a. Very basic to many, yet we all need reminding - 2 Pet. 1:12-15.
b. This material may be new to some of you - 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11.
3. Preliminary considerations about water baptism: The divine authority approving its practice, and definitions regarding the physical action of water baptism (how one is baptized).
I. DIVINE AUTHORITY FOR PRACTICING WATER BAPTISM - Matt. 21:23-27.
A. The Authority Of The Christ - Matt. 28:18-19 (Col. 3:17).
1. v.19 - His authority is applied in making disciples.
2. "In the name of" - Into a relationship with (by His authority) - Gal. 3:27; 2 Cor. 5:17.
a. Not a "baptismal formula."
b. Recognition of the allegiance which is formed through baptism, as well as the authority upon which it is based!
(1) Acts 19:2-5 - "Into what (then) were ye baptized?" - Only baptism which is based upon Jesus is acceptable to God!
(2) Acts 16:14-15 - To receive Christ's baptism counts one as being "faithful to the Lord" (v. 15).
3. Baptism is NOT a "Church Ordinance" (the church did not ordain it, Christ did!).
B. The Authority Of Christ In Baptism Is Applied Through His Word - It Is
Not Applied Through The Person Performing The Baptism.
1. Acts 2:41 - Reception of the word granted the right (authority) to be baptized.
2. 1 Cor. 1:13-17 - One who performs the baptism is not point of emphasis -- Not into his name -- Into name of Christ!
a. Christ was crucified for you.
b. You were baptized into His name.
c. Therefore, be named after Christ, not Paul or other men!
C. Baptism "In The Name Of Christ" Is Water Baptism (Element).
1. Acts 2:38, 41 - This baptism is commanded.
2. Acts 8:12-17 - It is NOT Holy Spirit baptism
3. Acts 10:47-48 - It IS water baptism.
II. DEFINITIONS WHICH BEAR UPON THE ACTION OF WATER BAPTISM.
A. The Physical Action Of Baptism: What Is It?
--(Sprinkling, pouring, immersion: Only one way, or any way?)
1. The word: Family of words from BAPTO - "To dip, dip in, immerse...Jn.13:26," (Thayer, 95):
a. BAPTIZO - "baptize" (80 times) - Acts 2:38.
b. BAPTISMA - "baptism" (22 times) - Eph. 4:5.
c. BAPTISMOS - "baptisms/washings" (4 times) - Heb. 6:2.
d. BAPTISTEES - "Baptist" - (14 times) - Of John, Matt. 3:1.
2. The lexicons:
a. BAPTIZO --
(1) "to baptize....was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another, etc." (Vine, I:97).
(2) "prop. to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge...to cleanse by dipping or
submerging..." (Thayer, 94).
b. BAPTISMA --
(1) "baptism, consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip)" (Vine, I:96).
(2) "immersion, submersion" (Thayer, 94).
c. Evidence of lexicographers: Baptism is immersion!
3. Contextual usage:
a. Matt. 3:16 - "Went up straightway out of the water" (KJV) - The example of the Christ!
b. Jno. 3:23 - Much water ("were many waters").....Because John immersed!
c. Acts 8:38-39 - Becomes nonsense unless immersion was used!
(1) "THEY BOTH went DOWN INTO the water...and he BAPTIZED him ..they CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER...."
(2) Sprinkling or pouring is not being described...IMMERSION!
4. Baptism is a burial:
a. Col. 2:12 - Buried with Christ in baptism.
b. Rom. 6:4-5 - One is "united with Him in the likeness of His death" (v.5) in baptism
("buried with Him through baptism").
c. Like Christ's death--burial--resurrection ---> We experience a death (to sin, v.2)
burial (with Christ, v. 4)--resurrection (to newness of life, v.4).
d. A burial requires a complete covering!
e. A burial in water HAS NOT OCCURRED when water is merely SPRINKLED / POURED upon a person!
5. Sprinkling: Began as a human accomodation to the sick in the 3rd century A.D. (Novatian's "baptism" - 251 AD). An addition of men! (Gal. 1:8-9; 2Jno. 9).
Conclusion
1. Water baptism is commanded by the AUTHORITY OF CHRIST (as revealed in
His word), and it is accomplished by IMMERSION in WATER.
a. It is not a church ordinance.
b. It does not require a special formula or pronouncement to make it valid.
c. It does not require some special person to perform it in order for it to be valid.
2. Rather than attempt to deny its authority & its scriptural action (immersion), comply with it in your life to be saved from your sins by Jesus - Mk. 16:16; Rom. 6:4-7.
- - Joe R. Price
