Baptism

 Doctrinal Study

Baptism

 

 I.      Mode of Baptism

 A.    Various modes of Baptism

 1.    Immersion – In this view, a person must be completely covered by water to be baptized properly.

 2.    Sprinkling (Aspersion)

 3.    Affusion (pouring)

 4.    A few groups believe that one must be immersed three times (trine immersion), and some believe that the one baptized must face downward.

 5.    Some groups will accept any mode of baptism, for they believe that the mode is relatively unimportant.

 B.    The Biblical Mode of Baptism is Immersion

 1.    If baptism is primarily a symbol of the believer's identification with Christ in his burial and resurrection, then the mode should correspond as nearly as possible to that symbol (Romans 6:4.)

 2.    The primary meaning of the Greek verb βαπτιζω (baptizo) is “to immerse” or “to dip.” (This is evident without a knowledge of the Greek from such passages as John 3:23, Acts 8:38, and Mark 1:10.)

 II.   Why should we be baptized?

 A.    It is not necessary for salvation!

 1.    There are those who teach it is necessary.  This teaching is known as Baptismal Regeneration.  (Their proof text is Acts 2:38.)

 2.    Baptism adds nothing to our salvation.  When we trust in Christ, we cannot be any more saved or less saved than we are at the point of our conversion.

 B.    We are to be baptized as an act of obedience

 1.    Baptism is the Divinely prescribed means for our public identification with Christ.

 2.    We are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.  (Immersed, you are identified with Christ in His death and burial – Raised from the water, you are identified with Christ in His resurrection.)

 3.    Baptism is also a testimony of “Positional Truth”  (Ephesians 2:6, 1:6, 4:22-24.)

 4.    Baptism is a picture of what God has provided:

 a)    salvation

 b)   power over the old sin nature

 c)    alive unto Christ

 III.            Who should be baptized?

 A.  In the book of Acts, there are eight specific cases of baptism recorded.  Let's carefully observe the candidate for baptism:

 1.    Acts 2:41

 2.    Acts 8:12

 3.    Acts 8:36-38

 4.    Acts 9:18

 5.    Acts 10:44-48

 6.    Acts 16:30-34

 7.    Acts 18:8

 8.    Acts 19:1-5

 B.   It is apparent from the study of the New Testament that “Christian Baptism” is believer's baptism.  Those who were baptized were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 C.   Should Christian children be baptized?

 1.    Only if they understand the Biblical teachings on the subject.  Not all the theological implications, but they should realize that

 a)    Baptism is not part of salvation.

 b)    Baptism is for believers

 c)    Baptism is a way of showing that you believe Jesus died and rose again for your sins.

 2.    The decision belongs with the child, under the guidance of the parents.

 D.  Baptism of Infants

 1.    “Bodies of believers practice baptism, holding that children are in a covenant relationship to God through their believing parents.  Most of these groups do not teach that the baptized children will automatically grow up to be Christians, but that when they reach the age of accountability, they must make a profession of faith for themselves.”  Handbook of Christian Truth.

 2.    Many Baptists dedicate infants in a ceremony.  They do not, however, baptize or sprinkle them – they simply offer a prayer of dedication.