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8 1 2 7
(Cover)

Hold fast to that which is good
Prove all things…
BAPTISM
about
BIBLE SPEAK…
LET THE
Clearly the command to be baptized is rooted in
the authority of Christ. Jesus insisted that there
is no genuine submission to His Lordship with-
out obedience to His commands. “And why call ye
me Lord, Lord,” He asked, “and do not the things
which I say?” (Luke 6.46.) Only those capable of
obeying the commands of Christ are suitable can-
didates for baptism! Those who present them-
selves for baptism must be able to (1) Believe in
Christ (John 8.24); (2) Repent of past sins (Luke
13.3); and (3) Confess faith in Christ before men.
(Matthew 10.32-33.) No one is ready for baptism
unless and until he has done these things!
3) Baptism Means Entrance Into the Body
of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12.13, the Apostle Paul
writes: “For by one spirit we are all baptized into one
body…” The one body is the church. (1 Corin-
thians 12.12; Ephesians 1.22-23.) This is borne out
by what Paul says in Ephesians 5.23 where he
notes that “Christ is the head of the church; and he
is the saviour of the body.” Baptism is the act of
obedience which causes God to add us to the
church. (See Acts 2.41, 47.) It is by baptism that
we gain entrance into the church and become
members of it!
4 5
8
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4) Baptism Means Participating in the
Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Paul
says that those baptized into Christ “were bap-
tized into his death?” (Romans 6.3.) In the act of
baptism we become the people for whom Christ
died; we gain the benefits which His death makes
possible; we re-create His death, burial and res-
urrection by being buried with Him in water to
be raised to newness of life. In doing so we obey
the “form” or “pattern” of the doctrine which is
delivered unto us. (Romans 6.17.) It is baptism
which ties us to the cross of Christ. (Note: In
the New Testament, baptism is always described
as immersion — never as sprinkling or pouring.
The word “baptize” in the Greek language means
“to plunge, dip, immerse, overwhelm.” Only
through immersion can we be “buried” with
Christ. (Romans 6.3; Colossians 2.12.)
5) Baptism Means Breaking with Sin. Ro-
mans 6.4 says: “Therefore, we are buried with Him
by baptism into death…” The death which Paul
contemplates here is our death to sin. This is con-
firmed by the 5th verse of the same chapter of
Romans which says: “Knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might
be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
 7 2
instituted by Christ.” (Works, Volume II, page 76.)
cance of the ordinance …as also without doubt, it was
according to the meaning of the word, and the signifi-
baptized should be completely immersed in water,
said: “On this account I could wish that such as are
Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church,
LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE
UNFAITHFUL DISOBEDIENT
LORD’S VINEYARD HIRED INTO
GOD’S BUILDING BELIEVE & OBEY
CHRIST’S KINGDOM BORN OF WATER & SPIRIT
GOD’S FAMILY BAPTISM
INTO
CHRIST’S BODY BAPTIZED
(WHICH IS)
THE CHURCH LORD ADDS SAVED TO
SAVED BAPTISM LOST
FAITHFUL
HEAVEN
The multitude on the day of Pentecost were told Over 100 times in the New Testament some
to “Repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins.” form of the word “baptize” or “baptism” is used.
(Acts 2.38.) It is baptism which stands squarely This shows the importance of the subject of
between man and forgiveness of sin. Salvation baptism to the followers of Christ. How ironic
from sin is impossible without baptism! (Acts 22.16.) and tragic, therefore, that there is such wide-
spread disagreement in the modern religious world
6) Baptism Means Newness of Life. Bap-
over the meaning and purpose of baptism. The
tism is closely involved in the process of the New
question: “What does baptism mean?” should be
Birth. (John 3.3, 5.) We are raised from baptism
considered carefully.
to “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.4.) Baptism
is not an ending; it is a beginning. It is the start- 1) Baptism Mean Union With Christ. Paul
ing point of the Christian life. It is in the act of writes in Romans 6.3 that we are “baptized into
baptism that we are born again! Jesus Christ,” or as the Modern Language Bible
translates, we are “baptized into union with Christ
The fact that baptism is mentioned more
Jesus.” In Galatians 3.27, Paul concludes, “For as
than 100 times in the New Testament leaves no
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have
doubt as to its importance. The things connected
put on Christ.” Entrance into Christ and all that it
with it show its absolute necessity. “And now why
implies (cf. Romans 8.1; Ephesians 1.7) is achieved
tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away
in the act of baptism.
thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22.16.)
2) Baptism Means Submission to the Lord-
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church,
ship of Christ. Jesus said, “All power is given unto
said of Romans 6.3 and John 3.5: “We are buried with
Him, alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by me in heaven and earth.” (Matthew 28.18.) Imme-
immersion. By … the water of baptism, we are regen- diately after making that statement He told His
erated, or born again; whence it is also called by disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations
apostles, ‘The washing of regeneration.’” (Notes on baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
New Testament, 1825.) Son, and of the Holy Ghost…” (Matthew 28.19.)
6 3