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Baptism According To The Record |
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Teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat. 28:20. As we approach this much discussed subject, we realize that there are only a few who will accept the word of God rightly divided on any subject. In the religious world there are those with a "made up" mind and regardless of how plain a subject is taught from the scriptures, if it doesn't correspond with their religious training, they will not listen, read nor accept! I humbly bring you this message today, with a prayer from my heart that our God, The Lord Jesus Christ, will help you to see the truth that you might be free as He has promised. (John 8:32) In discussing water Baptism there are four things that I always like to bring before the eyes and ears of the listener or reader. (1) The mode; (2) Who is eligible? (3) Why be Baptized? (4) In what name should one be Baptized? In the following paragraphs I will endeavor by God's help to give a Bible answer to these Bible questions. Will you please read with an unbiased mind, with an open heart? The Bible is as silent as the tomb on Baptism by the mode of "sprinkling or pouring" - This is a religious practice that God certainly doesn't own! This had its birth in the church at Rome and has passed to her daughters down through the years. The Bible tells us that John Baptized in a certain place "because there was much water there: -" (John 3:23) Why MUCH water if sprinkling or pouring is Baptism? Paul tells us that "we are BURIED with him by baptism into death: - (Rom. 6:4-Col. 2:12) When Philip baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:36-39) they went down both INTO the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. When Jesus was baptized by John he "went up straightway out of the water: -" (Mat. 3:16) If these were sprinkled as others teach, why did they go IN the water? John baptized those who came to him IN the river of Jordan confessing their sins. (Mark 1:5) The above verses should prove to any honest heart that water Baptism according to the scriptures is a "going down into, and coming up out of the water" - Water Baptism in this age is a burial in water, Spirit filled person to another in Jesus' name who has thoroughly repented and administered by a blood washed and turned from every known sin. Now, we will discuss who is really eligible for water Baptism? Jesus said, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; - (Mark 16:16) Notice carefully, the one to be baptized MUST be a believer! This omits all babies and all others unless they have repented! Peter told the Jews at Pentecost to "Repent and be baptized - (Acts 2:38) Philip baptized "men and women" who believed in Samaria (Acts 8:12) Baptism or a ceremony called baptism administered to a little innocent baby is a shame! Only those who hear the gospel and believe with their heart to the extent that they "die to sin" are eligible for burial (Baptism). It is a shame to bury a person in the watery grave and use the holy name of Jesus unless they have turned from evil in every form and fashion. God help us to refuse baptism to any one unless they prove by their fruits that they have repented! (Mat. 3:8).
Now, we will discuss the necessity of water baptism. I wish to say
that water baptism ALONE will not save or cause a person to be saved.
We are contending that water Baptism is a PART of God's plan to save the
soul and apart from this act of obedience, your soul will be lost!
Peter told the Jews who believed at Pentecost to "Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, - (Acts 2:38). This verse corresponds perfectly with the
words of Jesus when He told Nicodemus, "-Except a man be born of
WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."
(John 3:5). |
Repentance alone will NOT remit your sins! Jesus said that
Repentance AND remission of sins should be preached in his name among
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) When a
person comes to God in Bible repentance you will see and FEEL a change!
I say this because to repent means a CHANGE! A "good
feeling" has misled many people into thinking that they were then
and there saved. This is wrong!
Paul prayed and there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received his sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9:18) After his repentance we read where he was told to "arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) Peter told us in one of his epistles, "The like figure whereunto even baptism also now SAVE us-" (1st Peter 3:21) No, baptism isn't for a body bath but "Repentance and Baptism in Jesus' name is for the remission of sins." The blood is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! We will certainly be lost unless we obey the gospel (1st Peter 4:17) and Jesus said, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) Water Baptism is to be administered to a believer in the name of Jesus Christ. We deny with all our strength that Jesus ever intended for any person to be baptized in the words "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" - (Matthew 28:19) A close look at this verse will convince the seeker of truth that Jesus commanded the apostles to Baptize in "the name" - What is the name? The terms Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not saving names! There is only ONE saving name in this age and Peter said this name is Jesus. (Acts 4:12) Any honest heart must conclude that in the face of these scriptures (and the ones to follow that JESUS is the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.) The Bible says that the NAME of the SON is Jesus! (Mat. 1:21) Well, the same line of reasoning that convinces that the "name of the Son" is Jesus should cause you to ask "What is the Father's name?" The Son came in the Father's name (John 5:43); The Son received His name by inheritance (Heb. 1:4). Can't you see that the NAME of the Father and Son must be the same? My name is "Allen" - Is it necessary for you to ask my son or sons' NAME? If Jesus is the Son's name, is it hard for you to see that JESUS is also the Father's name? The "Holy Spirit" came in the name of Jesus (John 14:26). I contend that JESUS is the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for the simple reasons set forth in the next paragraph.
I challenge YOU today for book, chapter and verse where any apostle ever
baptized using the words "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" - I
challenge you for the verse where it says this was done! I
challenge YOU to ask for chapter and verse where the Bible says they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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