A Biblical Church’s Baptism
10 November 2013 PM – Matthew 28:19 – Biblical Church – Scott Childs
Introduction: The Lord gave the church two ordinances (orders), baptism and the Lord’s Supper. This evening we will be examining the Scriptures relating to baptism. (Read text)
The Scriptures teach that faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ saves a repentant sinner from hell and gives him everlasting life. Baptism neither adds to one’s salvation nor does the lack of baptism subtract from one’s salvation. However, Jesus said in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. Because the Bible commands baptism for every believer (Acts 2:38), every Christian who loves Christ must obey and be baptised.
Transition: This evening we are going to examine the Bible and see what it says about baptism’s mode, purpose, candidate, and authority.
I. The Biblical Mode of Baptism
A. The Greek meaning of the word “baptizō”
1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk).”
2. Liddell and Scott: “to dip in or under water.”
3. TDNT: “to dip in or under,” “to dye,” “to immerse,” “to sink,” “to drown,” “to bathe,” “wash.”
B. The Bible use of the word “baptizō”.
1. Six verses discuss people baptised IN a trial.
Mark 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
2. Seven verses say that Jesus would baptise IN the Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
a) John baptised with or in water, but Jesus would baptise with or in the Holy Spirit.
B.H. Carroll states, In the baptism in the Holy Spirit, Christ is the administrator, the Holy Spirit is the element, the subject is a Christian, the design is to accredit and empower him for service. (Interpretation of the Bible, Mt 3:11)
b) The Holy Spirit does not do the baptising, He is the substance into which Jesus baptises believers the moment they get saved.
c) Mt 3:11 and Lu 3:16 include baptism in fire. This speaks of coming judgment not the cloven tongues at Pentecost as some claim.
3. In 63 verses, baptisms were done IN water with perhaps the exception of Romans 6:3-4, which may be baptism in the Spirit.
Mark 1:9-10 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
4. The word baptizō never refers to sprinkling or pouring. The Greek language has words for these but the Holy Spirit did not use these words to describe baptism. (Larry Oats, Baptism) The Biblical mode of baptism is always immersion.
II. The Biblical Purpose of Baptism
A. Why did John baptize?
1. He baptised because people confessed their sins.
Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Compare Matthew 3:8, “meet for repentance.”
2. He baptised for (because of) the remission of sin.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Larry Oats states that, John’s baptism was prompted by repentance, a return to the truth of the Old Testament, and identification of the one baptized with the Messiah concerning whom John preached.
3. John baptised Jesus to fulfil all righteousness: 1) to begin Jesus’ ministry, 2) to set forth the symbol of his coming death, burial, and resurrection, 3) as an example to all his followers. (See B.H. Carroll @ Mt 3:15)
B. Why must Christians be baptized?
1. Baptism does not save or complete salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: …
a) Verses that seem to connect baptism with salvation must be carefully studied in context (Mr 16:16, Ac 2:38, 22:16, 1Pe 3:21).
b) These are vastly outnumbered by verses that present salvation without baptism.
2. Baptism is to obey Christ’s instructions.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
3. Baptism is a testimony of identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
III. The Biblical Candidate for Baptism
A. Baptismal candidates always chose it themselves
1. Baptism was never forced on anyone in the Bible.
2. The Bible makes no mention of any infant being baptised. Historians record that erring churches did not baptise babies until about the year 250 A.D. Armitage, p. 179, 185
B. Biblical candidates were always saved first
1. Several Bible examples show this.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 16:14-15 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, …
2. Every candidate must give a clear testimony of faith in Christ alone.
3. A person who genuinely trusts Christ after being immersed must be immersed biblically now that he or she is truly saved.
IV. The Biblical Administrator of Baptism
A. Not just any Christian can administer baptism
1. Baptism is a church ordinance. The same is true of the Lord’s Supper.
2. It is not a personal ordinance. We find no Bible example of any Christian baptising, who was not authorised by a church.
B. After Pentecost, only those authorized by a church baptized
1. Christ gave the ordinance to His disciples (the future church leaders) when He laid the foundation for the church (Mt 28:19).
2. Baptism often followed a church service
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
3. Philip was a deacon in the Jerusalem church (Acts 8), and Peter was an apostle in that church (Acts 10).
4. Paul was sent as a missionary from the Antioch church (Acts 13:1-3)
Conclusion: Because many churches, radio preachers, and popular Bible teachers do not believe what we have just learned about biblical baptism, this has become a topic of much debate. The Bible is clear that baptism is by immersion only, after salvation, as a testimony and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. If you are not convinced of this, I encourage you to study the baptism verses further.
If you are saved and have not been baptised biblically, you need to be baptised. Come and to talk to me about it tonight.
Song: I Have Decided – 397