- Why do we need to study Baptism?
Read: 2 Timothy 2: 15.
Why is it necessary to study the scriptures at all?
(Use this explanation only if necessary.) The King James Version's rendering of this verse means, literally, "to give diligence to, hasten, endeavor." Thus, this phrase, "study to shew thyself approved" might be translated, "Hasten (or endeavor) to shew (or present) thyself (as) approved unto God." We do not study so that God will approve of us, but that we might know the truth, and apply it correctly to our lives, and to the lives of others.
Read: John 14: 15
If we love Jesus, we will
. Also read Luke 6: 56, and 1 John 5: 1-3
Read: Acts 5: 29.
Peter and the apostles knew that we ought to
.
Emphasize that we are never to obey man or follow man's doctrines, traditions, or commandments, if doing so would be in disobedience, or at variance with, God's will for our lives, as shown in His Word.
Read: Matthew 15: 3, 7-9 with Galatians 1: 7-10 and Romans 3: 3-4.
Should we follow man's religious traditions if they are not in line with the Word of God?
Many individuals and congregations blindly hold to religious ordinances, doctrines, rituals, etc., because they are "traditional," even though these traditions lack any scriptural basis. (You may use examples to illustrate this to the student, but be careful not to maliciously tear apart a specific church or group.)
According to the above scriptures in Galatians (especially Galatians 1: 7), what is the danger of blindly following the doctrines, theologies, and teachings of men?
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5: 21.
Because there are many that would misrepresent, or pervert, the Gospel of Christ, we need to
.
Today, as in the early days of the church, there are religious leaders, theologians, "false prophets," and others who cunningly and deliberately falsify, or twist, the Gospel and the Word of God for their own gain and purposes. For this reason, we need to be sure, through our own research, and praying for guidance, that the teaching we receive is consistent with the Word of God. No Christian should ever hold to a teaching, doctrine, or theology which lacks scriptural evidence, or is inconsistent with the Bible, regardless of what a "theologian," "Bible scholar," or "prophet of God" proclaims. Review the importance of studying the scriptures.
Conclusion: Scripture teaches us to study the Bible so we may learn and obey the commandments of God. Regardless of how ancient, or sacred, we are not to follow any commandents, traditions, or doctrines of men that are inconsistent with the teachings of the Word of God.
- What does the word "baptism" mean?
The word baptism comes from the Greek word BAPTIZO, which means "immersion" or "to immerse." BAPTIZO is a form of the Greek root BAPTO: literally, "to dip" or "plunge under." The use of the word baptism in the King James Version and other English translations is a tranliteration, rather than a translation, of the Greek into English. (A transliteration is the forming, developing, of a new word, into one's native language, using the equivalent letters and vowel sounds of a word form a foreign language.. Thus, baptism derives from BAPTIZO.) Consequently, much confusion and false doctrine regarding the rite of water baptism has arisen. According to the Greek, it is evident that where the words baptism and baptize are used in the English, the more proper and more accurate translations would be, "immersion" and "immerse," respectively. In no case is either of the above words used as a translation of the Greek word RHANTIZO (used in Hebrews 9:19), which means "to sprinkle."
The Greek word BAPTIZO literally means
.
The use of the words baptism and baptize in the English are
of the original Greek.
Thus, the words baptism and baptize actually mean
and
, respectively.
According to the Greek, to baptize
mean "to sprinkle."
- How should baptism be administered?
Read: Matthew 3:6, 16 with Mark 1:5, 8-10.
According to these passages, Jesus was
.
Likewise, in Acts 8:36-38, the Ethiopian Eunuch was
.
Since, according to the above scriptures, both Jesus and the Eunuch came up out of the water after baptism, it is evident that both must have first been immersed.
Read: John 3: 23.
Why was John baptizing in Aenon?
In order to baptize properly, one needs at least enough water in which to immerse a new convert. A small bowl of water (from which one sprinkles) is not sufficient.
Read: Romans 6: 3-6 with Colossians 2: 12.
Baptism typifies (or is symbolic of) Jesus'
.
We need to be immersed (buried) in the water and brought back up (resurrected) in order to fulfill this type.
We bury the old "flesh man" (sinful, dead flesh) in baptism, and arise a new man, dead to sin!
Read: 1 Corinthians 10: 1-2.
Moses, leading the nation of Israel through the Red Sea, is a type, or foreshadowing of
.
Conclusion: Baptism is properly administered by
in the water.
- Why should we be baptized?
(Note: After reading the scriptures, fill in the corresponding blanks.)
Read: Matthew 28: 19, Mark 16: 16, Acts 2: 38, 10: 48.
Remember, from John 14: 15, that we are to obey the commandmenst of Jesus. Likewise, the apostles should be obeyed, because all scripture is inspired by God. (See 2 Timothy 3: 16)
Read: Acts 2: 38, 22: 16, Luke 1: 76-79, 24: 47.
Remission means "dismissal" or "release" from sins, through the grace of God. When saved and baptized, we no longer need to account for our sins before God, as our sins are washed away!
Read: Mark 16: 16 with 1 Peter 3: 21.
Reread: 1 Peter 3: 21 (note the words in parentheses):
Again, because of the King James Version's translation of the Greek, some confusion may arise as to the interpretation of this scripture. The Greek word translated, here, is EPEROTEMA, which literally means "inquiry" or "appeal," as in legal matters. We are baptized before the Almighty Judge of heaven and earth as an appeal for, or inquiry towards, a good conscience before God.
Read: Romans 6: 3-11 with Colossians 2: 12.
When we are baptized in water, we
and arise
.
We demonstrate to the congregation (the Body of Christ), friends, and relatives, that we desire to serve Christ, totally, and wish to be identified with Him through the symbolicism of baptism.
When we become joined to Christ, we become a part of the body of Christ. See: 1 Corinthians 1: 13-18 and Galatians 3: 27.
We "put on Christ," becoming members of the Body of Christ through baptism. We do not become baptized into a particular church, denomination, or congregation.
- When should we be baptized?
Read: Acts 3: 19, with Acts 2: 38.
According to these two scriptures, when should one be baptized?
Read: Acts 8: 12
When were the Samaritans baptized?
Read: Acts 9: 17-18 with Acts 22: 13-16.
When was Saul (Paul) baptized?
Reading earlier in the chapter, we see that Peter was preaching the Gospel to the Gentile, Cornelius, and his house. (See Acts 10: 38, 43). Peter knew that they were converted when they were filled with the Holy Spirit; He then commanded them to be baptized.
Note: Although the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not the sign of conversion, only people who have been converted, or "saved," become "Spirit-filled."
Conclusion: When should every newly-born Christian be baptized?
- Into whose name should we be baptized?
Read: Matthew 28: 19.
How many names did Jesus tell his disciples to baptize in (be careful, here)?
Does the scripture indicate what this name (these names) is /(are)?
The word "name" is clearly singular; The words "Father," "Son," and "Holy Ghost" are titles, rather than names. To give an example, suppose we have two men, Bill and John. Bill is John's father; John is, therefore, Bill's son. People do not call Bill "father," as there are many fathers in the world. This leaves us with the question, "What is the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? The answer to this will be presented in the remainder of this section.
Into what name did the apostles baptize?
In Acts 2: 38?
In Acts 8: 16?
In Acts 10: 47-48
The original Greek, here, has "Jesus Christ," instead of "the Lord," as in the King James Version.
In Acts 19: 3-5
Note: These people had already been baptized for the remission of sins by John ("John's baptism"), yet the apostle Paul insisted that they be bapized, all over again, in the name of Jesus Christ!
Conclusion: Into what name did the apostles baptize?
Read: Galatians 3: 27, Romans 6: 3, and 1 Corinthians 1: 13-18.
Into whose name does the apostle Paul state that we are baptized?
From above, is it clear what the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? (in Matthew 28: 19) is?
Read: Colossians 3: 17
We are to do
things in the name of Jesus Christ.
Does this include baptism?
-
It is necessary for all new converts to be baptized. To "baptize" means to
. Therefore, baptism should be done by
in
. Baptism is a type of Jesus'
and
, therefore when we are baptized, we
, and rise to walk in the
.
When should we undergo baptism?
Review any sections dealing with questions the student missed as you summarize the lesson.
- TEACHER:
Questions and problem areas concerning baptism:
Problem: "I was sprinkled as an infant. Isn't this good enough?"
Solution: No, for two reasons. The first reason is that, (as we saw in Section B), sprinkling, regardless of the dignity and solemnity of the rite, is a totally different act from baptism. Thus, one who has been sprinkled still needs to be baptized. The second reason is that, an infant, or a very young child, does not understand repentance from sin, and therefore cannot repent before baptism, as demanded by Acts 2: 38. Any time an infant is sprinkled or immersed, one is "simply getting a child wet".
Problem: "I was baptized through immersion as an infant." The scripture says in Ephesians 4: 5 that there is only one baptism. Therefore I cannot be re-baptized."
Solution: As seen in Acts 19: 3-5, one can be re-baptized. However, one need not be baptized more than once, if baptized properly,
- TEACHER
the first time. It is of no value (and, in fact, improper) to baptize an infant, as the infant cannot repent of his sins. (See Acts 2:38) The "one baptism" of Ephesians 4: 5 is baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, "one" referring to the quality of exclusiveness, rather than quantity. Baptism in the name of John, Paul, Mary, etc., are not baptisms at all, in God's sight.
Problem: "I was immersed before I was saved."
Solution: You need to be re-baptized. Acts 2: 38 says, "repent and be baptized ... for the remission of sin ..." The sins of an unsaved person cannot be remitted because he has not repented of them; therefore, being baptized before being saved is of no avail.
Problem: "I was immersed in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Do I need to be baptized over again?"
Solution: Yes. The clergyman or believer who performed this rite did not complete the baptism, as he did not state the all-important Name of the Father, son and the Holy Ghost. (See Section F of the study.) Had you been baptized in the name of he Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which is Jesus Christ (or more simply, in the name of Jesus), your baptism would have been completed. We saw in Acts 19: 3-5 that believers were re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; This is also necessary for those who have yet to be baptized properly, according to Scripture.
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