Some church denominations believe baptism should he performed only in running water such as a river or stream. The most ancient form (of baptism) usually employed was unquestionably immersion. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance . "What is so wrong with pouring or sprinkling?" Mary was told, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the POWER OF THE HIGHEST shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God!" "For the wages of sin is death: but the GIFT of God (Notice it is God's gift - not something with which we were born; it is not something inherent within us!) "How could this be?" Did you know, if you were, what sin really was - about the weekly Sabbath; God's Holy Days, His laws concerning clean and unclean things, tithing; about the real truth concerning the nature of man; about Bible prophecy? . . This power within us was promised by Christ. Many have been confused by Matthew 28:19 where Jesus talked about baptizing in His name and in the Father's name. It pictures WASHING, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION. A proper procedure for baptism should follow this form very closely: Before the actual baptism, the repentant person should be asked if he has repented of his sins and accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour. As you sit in your car or home -even if you are in a bar - just say, "I accept you, Jesus" and you will be instantly saved. The Scriptures speak only of "men and women" being baptized (Acts 8:12). What is the form for baptism? went down both into the water" (v.38) for baptism. When should it be done? In comparatively modern times, exultant believers have been seen cavorting beneath a fire hose, spraying water over the wildly enthusiastic following of an evangelist who held forth in a major street corner. The translators in 1611 used the word "ghost" for the Greek word pneuma. Yet, when the angel announced the conception of Christ, he said, ". We are saved by GRACE through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8), but the process is not unconditional. HOW WAS PASSOVER REPLACED BY EASTER And Who Did It? But they did not. 12:40) was buried! The person who baptizes you is only human anyway. Sin is the breaking of any one of the ten cardinal points of God's Ten Commandments as they are magnified, made spiritually binding, by Jesus' whole life and teaching, particularly His famous "Sermon on the Mount." Baptism did not begin with Peter after the death of Christ. The important point is that any person who desires eternal life and is able to be baptized should do so. 24:14). 7:14-25). During his ministry John the Baptist went to Aenon " . But if he said "What's that - up in the road ahead?" Yet, Christ said, clearly, that He (Christ) would be dead for "three days and three nights" (Matt. Modern "churchianity" is deeply divided on the subject. Christian baptism was prefigured by the Israelites when they passed through the Red Sea (I Corinthians 10:1-2). At that moment, he stands before God as a holy vessel. For this reason, Jesus was baptized and thereby demonstrated the vital importance of this act (Matthew 3:16). One man refused to drive his car for fear he might be involved in a fatal automobile accident before he could be baptized. Jesus replied that the man would see Him in Paradise. Have you ever read much about it in the Bible? The dead are completely inert; unconscious, oblivious! Suppose, as they knew they were near death, they read the Bible together, realized they were sinners - desired to be forgiven of God. Can you see how Peter, who was speaking under God's inspiration, told his listeners that, even though eternal life was a gift, they could receive it only if they met certain requirements -REPENTANCE and BAPTISM? As soon as a person realizes that he is a sinner, that he needs to be washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ, that he accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and that he wants to become an obedient begotten son of God, HE SHOULD BE BAPTIZED! Notice from this scripture that we are baptized into Jesus Christ, not into any church denomination. Some ministers tell repentant persons, "It is not for you to decide when you are ready for baptism. Regarding Jesuss baptism it is written,And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 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 Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Surely, if there exists serious doubt about your own state of mind when you were first baptized; about how much you understood about what sin really is, whether you truly repented of it; whether you knew enough about how to obey God, then you should remove that doubt, and be baptized again. Even the Roman Catholic Church recognized the Father as the supreme member of the Godhead; the One to whom Christ returned; the One to whom Christ credited all His works! One inmate who still had eleven years to serve for robbery said, "I've repented of my sins and do not bemoan the fact that I won't be released for several more years. All biblical examples show that baptisms were performed by representatives of the true Church of God. And, third, baptism gives us new life. ", Is baptism necessary for salvation? Christ obviously promised salvation to him, because the thief was repentant; because he recognized Christ! In order to fully understand this matter, it must be pointed out that the New Testament was not written in King James English. It took place during Jesus' crucifixion. What Jesus really said was, "Truly, I'm telling you today -YOU SHALL BE (in the future - after the resurrection!) Here, from the pages of your own Bible, is the plain truth about water baptism. Any Christian can sin - and ALL do, from time to time. But if he is truly repentant and accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, he too will be with Christ in Paradise. No, we do not beg, or make emotional appeals. There are some. Infusion and aspersion (pouring and sprinkling), however, were growing common in the thirteenth century, and gradually prevailed in the Western Church." The point is, no other human being can make that decision but you. (Luke 1:35). As part of Paul's argument, he explains to the Corinthians that the church continued to baptize newcomers to "fill up the place of" the dead; replacing those who died, thus tying the rite of baptism directly to the hope of the resurrection, which it partially foreshadows. In the New Testament we read of a dynamic preacher named Apollos who was taught by John the Baptist. of position, situation, extension: over, above, beyond, across . Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus,we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;(Ephesians 1:7). Following His resurrection, He warned the women, "touch me NOT, for I not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, 'I ascend unto my Father and to your Father; and to my God, and your God.' It shouldn't when we realize that Jesus Himself was baptized! Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21). The power of the Holy Spirit is the essence of the mind of God. Today we have many English translations - the most popular being the King James version which was first published in 1611. The Greek word for the English "for" is the same word used throughout the New Testament, huper, which means, according to the Greek-English Lexicon (Thayer), "Up, over, etc., Lat. Many a child is convinced in his own mind that he has come to true repentance and may even convince others of it, only to come to the realization later that it was just a passing interest replaced by a new infatuation with another person, a rock group, or a car. In its worst form the disease literally causes fear of swallowing. After that time it is found in some places even as late as the sixteenth century. Even though Jesus lived a perfect life and was totally without sin (I Peter 2:22), He knew the importance of setting an example for us to follow. When Ananias placed his hands on him (Acts 9:17) Paul was immediately baptized. Does it really matter how we worship Him?" When Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9) he was shocked into REPENTANCE! Sunday, Saturday What Difference Does It Make. If sprinkling or pouring were proper forms of baptism, John could have used a few gallons of water to baptize hundreds. The Bible lays down a definite method of baptism, which we shall see plainly. He knew the penalty for sin! The word "trinity" is nowhere mentioned in the Bible, and the only scripture which implies it is a deliberate insertion by copyists after the invention of printing. Baptism is an act of voluntary submission to God's will! No one can say, "Twenty years old is the earliest anyone can he baptized." Sometimes a minister of God will counsel an inmate in prison who cannot to be baptized because the officials of his penal institution will not allow it. But he needed "much water" because he practiced complete immersion. At some point in their lives, they begin to realize this sinful condition, and they again come to the place of repentance. Meaning of Baptism "Why is complete immersion required?" Some churches practice "baptism for the dead," also known as ''vicarious baptism." v, 26; Rom. On one hand, baptism should not he taken lightly. Should you be baptized again? The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ(1 Peter 3:21). Does God Love the World Enough to Save It? We must obey God and follow His instructions as laid out in His Holy Bible. First, baptism cleanses us of our sins and gives us a fresh start with God. Philip baptized his candidates after they had believed (Acts 8:12, 36, 37). Peter later wrote, "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Christ'' (I Peter 3:21, Revised Standard Version). However, the most obviously logical explanation is found in remembering what we learned about infants being baptized. Actually, the laying on of hands is a second baptism. Some are also confused by the mention of the "Holy Ghost.". During the late '60s, the "Jesus People" movement saw hundreds joining hands, skipping over the sands of the Pacific coast, striding into the surf. I know I must pay for my crime. Jesus prophesied, "And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness (a witness against them!) "And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? because there was much water there" (John 3:23). We will pray that you make the right one. One major church takes it's name from John the Baptist. He rebaptized them and laid hands on them so that they could receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:5-6). As you will see from a careful, thorough reading of Romans 6, baptism pictures, among other things, the complete burial of the old self. (Isa. But, while they WANT to be forgiven anew. Suppose it was physically impossible for them to be immersed in water (their most earnest prayer, surely!). (Art. Proper baptism requires immersion - not sprinkling or pouring. We plainly speak out about SIN, and show WHY we should repent! . This is not a work of men. reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Did you earn this gift? How strange, then, that with the exceptions of the Baptist Church and some others, many large professing "Christian" churches follow Catholic tradition in their form of 'baptism" instead of the plain words of Scripture - the commands of the Saviour, Christ Himself! You look to Jesus Christ, the One who actually washes away your sins. (Rom. When the disciples first baptized, they were not yet ordained. What Does The Bible Say About Predestination and Election? if you are such a person - if you sometimes wonder if you can ever get good enough for salvation, then you MUST read this free booklet! according as it is used to express the idea of state and rest or of motion over and beyond a place. Baptism is called the "door of the church" by the Roman Catholics; the means by which one is brought into the body of the church. Some, convinced they are "not good enough" for God, drift along for years, wondering whether they have committed the "unpardonable sin", wondering if God will reject them. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Christ was alone. It is entirely up to you. At baptism we become begotten sons of God and earn the right to call Him "Father.". of place, i.e. When the Christian gives his whole life to God and places his trust in Him, he receives the blessings of a peaceful mind. But he now has God's Spirit within him, showing him the way as he submits his life to God. Probably not. Or is there more to Christian conversion? Obviously, according to the plain statements of Christ; according to Peter's command on the Day of Pentecost; according to the whole meaning and purpose of baptism (study Romans, the 6th chapter), one should be baptized only after repentance. John the Baptist was the first to preach baptism, and Jesus Himself came to John to be baptized (Mark 1:1-10). Christ said to REPENT, and be baptized! (If you have not yet read my book "The Ten Commandments," please write immediately for your free copy!). For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But the Catholic Church recognizes the "traditions of the 'fathers' " as being equal with scripture. The meaning of the term huper from the Greek does not mean "on behalf of"! The whole context of the 15th chapter of I Corinthians is the subject of the resurrection of the dead. ." But if Christ did not die, then we have no Saviour! (Write immediately for my free brochure, "Can God Die?"). It should not be undertaken without counting the costs. Water baptism is the act of immersing a person in water. . Jesus was immersed. So it is that, by misplacing the comma, men have totally perverted the meaning of Jesus' statement to the "thief on the cross.". The most important question in your life is whether you are converted; whether you are a servant of Jesus Christ; whether you have been made a child of God, brought into His Church, the spiritual Body of Christ. So the Scriptures are plain that ministers are not the only persons qualified to baptize. Yet it is a work of FAITH; a work that is the work of Jesus Christ in his human instruments - all the church - a collective work of many, not just the work of one man, or a small handful of men! Baptism should follow repentance; a conscious act by a living, breathing, human being!