Water Baptism

Bro. Will Cook taught on "Water Baptism" for tonight's Bible Study at Bethel. Since they are currently covering the materials from the Discipleship Series, I will share on here directly from parts of the lesson. Mark 16:15-16 – “And he (Jesus) 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.” Acts 2:37-38 – “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? 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.” We have discovered that faith and repentance are the first steps we must follow in God’s plan of salvation. However, scripture teaches us that there are additional steps that follow these first two. Hebrews 6:1-2 – “Therefore leaving (going forth from) 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” We have discovered that faith and repentance are the first steps we must follow in God’s plan of salvation. However, scripture teaches us that there are additional steps that follow these first two. • Hebrews 6:1-2 – “Therefore leaving (going forth from) 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” We should be baptized because it is part of the “new birth” experience – it is part of our spiritual birth of “water and Spirit.” We should be baptized because baptism is part of our cleansing from sin. Baptism plays a role in bringing us remission of our sins. • Acts 22:16 – “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” • Hebrews 10:22 – “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” • 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.” The word “remission” is the Greek word “aphesis” meaning freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, and liberty. Remission of sins is fully accomplished when we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. In Luke chapter 24, Jesus instructed His disciples, “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The apostles understood that Jesus was referring to water baptism when He spoke of remission of sins. (Compare Luke 24:47 with Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16.) 4. Note the amazing parallel between the command of Jesus Christ just before His ascension and the Apostle Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Baptism should be by immersion in water. 1. In the Bible, the words “baptize” and “baptism” are translated from the Greek words “bapto” and “baptizo” meaning to immerse, to dip, or to submerge in fluid. 2. In New Testament scripture, water baptism was always by immersion, never by “sprinkling with water”. The Greek word for “sprinkle” is “rhantizo.” The New Testament instructions concerning water baptism use the Greek words, “bapto” and “baptizo” (to dip, to immerse). The word “rhantizo” is only used in the New Testament in reference to the figurative “sprinkling” of the blood of Jesus Christ upon our heart. 3. The following verses reveal that scriptural baptism requires a person to go down into the water: • Acts 8:38 – “...and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” • Matthew 3:16 – “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water...” 4. In scripture, when groups were baptized, much water was nee ded. • John 3:22-23 – “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized.” Baptism must be in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. There is unlimited power available when we invoke (call upon) the name of Jesus Christ. This power is demonstrated in the following scriptures: • Acts 3:2-9 – “And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” The same name that heals and delivers also remits our sins. The name of Jesus Christ is necessary for the remission of sins – and we have already seen that remission of sins comes through baptism. • Luke 24:47 – (Jesus told His disciples) “… that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” • 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.” • Acts 22:16 – (Ananias told the newly converted Saul of Tarsus) “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” 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. God is good!