Lesson 6 - Questions About Baptism

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1) Why do we believe baptism is necessary for salvation?

Why do we believe baptism is necessary for salvation?

Do we believe in "baptismal regeneration?
The church in the Bible was taught that they must be baptized to be forgiven.

Why do we believe baptism is necessary for salvation?

Acts 2:36–39 ESV
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
-29
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Do we believe in "baptismal regeneration?

What is "baptismal regeneration?" It depends on who is defining it, and for what purpose...
The church in the Bible was told they must be baptized to be forgiven.

What is "baptismal regeneration?"

; ; ; ; ;
It depends on who is defining it, and for what purpose… (Note: This is a good example of how people over-complicate biblical teaching by unnecessary concepts and terms)
Generally refers to the concept of baptism being necessary for salvation.Specifically, refers to baptism as a "sacrament," which operates apart from faith.It's often used as an accusation against anyone who believes in the necessity of baptism.
Matthew 28:18–20 ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15–16 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Generally refers to the concept of baptism being necessary for salvation.
; ; ; ; ;
Acts 2:36–39 ESV
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
;
; ; ; ;
Acts 22:16 ESV
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
22:16
Romans 6:3–4 ESV
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
;
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Why do we immerse and not sprinkle or pour? Why don't we baptize infants or children? Isn't baptism just an outward sign of an inward forgiveness?
If Christianity is not to evolve, thus nothing has changed, neither has this rule!
Specifically, refers to baptism as a "sacrament," which operates apart from faith.
It's often used as an accusation against anyone who believes in the necessity of baptism.

Why do we immerse and not sprinkle or pour?

2) Do we believe in “baptismal regeneration?”

Why don't we baptize infants or children?

Some groups (e.g. Catholics) believe in this doctrine.

Isn't baptism just an outward sign of an inward forgiveness?

This discussion is largely a matter of semantics—who is defining this term, and why?
The term generally refers to the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation, but specifically to baptism as a sort of “sacrament,” which operates apart from faith.

Two thoughts to consider:

The Bible teaches that baptism is part of obedience to the gospel, i.e., salvation.
The Bible does not teach that baptism ever works apart from faith.

Consider the order of events leading to forgiveness and salvation in these passages:

· Consider the order of events leading to forgiveness and salvation in these passages:
Mark 16:16 ESV
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Belief > Baptism > Salvation
Acts 2:38 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:15–16 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Repentance > Baptism > Forgiveness
Acts 2:38 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 22:16 ESV
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Baptism > Washing of Sins
Acts 22:16 ESV
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Romans 6:3–4 ESV
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Baptism = Burial > New Life
Romans 6:3–4 ESV
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12 ESV
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Baptism = Burial > Raised through Faith = God’s Working
Colossians 2:12 ESV
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Baptism = Appeal for Cleansing > Salvation
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Baptism is necessary, but must be accompanied by other things—thus, we don’t believe in the Roman Catholic idea of “baptismal regeneration” and baptism as a sacrament.

3) Why do we immerse and not sprinkle or pour?

Answer from Orthodox Presbyterian Church website:
Q: Where in the Bible does it show an example of sprinkling instead of immersion as a symbol of baptism? And if there is not one, why do Presbyterians allow sprinkling instead of immersion?
A: The Westminster Confession of Faith (28.3), the official confession of faith of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, says, "Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person." (Goes on to give a weak connection between a statement in and what is thought to be baptism)
· Baptism in the Bible is always understood to be immersion.
Baptism in the Bible is always understood to be immersion.
“Baptizo,” lit. “I immerse”; “Baptismos,” the act of washing or immersing.
I wonder if the “transliteration” of this word is a work of Satan intended to confuse people as to the truth about this issue…

People went “down into” the water and “came up out” of the water in the Bible:

Jesus;
Matthew 3:16 ESV
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
;
Mark 1:10 ESV
And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Eunuch
Acts 8:38–39 ESV
And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Burial;
Romans 6:3–4 ESV
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
;
Colossians 2:12 ESV
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
When all the evidence (definitions and examples) are put together, the only practice that makes sense biblically is total immersion.

4) Why don’t we baptize infants or small children?

Interestingly, this was one of the major points of contention in the Restoration Movement (not the necessity of baptism or instrumental music).

Baptism is to be accompanied by some other things…

1) NO Need for Forgiveness; ;
Isaiah 7:15–16 ESV
He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
Matthew 19:13–14 ESV
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
; ;
Luke 18:16–17 ESV
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
2) Belief
Mark 16:15–16 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
3) Repentance;
Luke 24:47 ESV
and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
;
Acts 2:38–39 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
4) Understanding
Acts 19:1–5 ESV
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The Order Matters!

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Teach > Baptize > Teach
Teach > Baptize > Teach
Matthew 28:18–20 ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15
Mark 16:15–16 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Preach > Belief > Baptism
Preach > Belief > Baptism
Mark 16:15–16 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Luke 24:46–49 ESV
and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Proclaim > Repentance > Forgiveness
Luke 24:46–49 ESV
and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Summary—Teaching > Belief/Repentance > Baptism > Forgiveness
Infant Baptism Order—Baptism > Teaching > Belief/Repentance > Forgiveness
Simply put, infants and small children do not qualify.

5) Isn’t baptism just an outward sign of inward forgiveness?

This view presumes baptism is merely a symbol for everyone else to show that forgiveness has already taken place by God in that person’s heart (thus, timing doesn’t matter)

Consider carefully…

1 Peter 3:21 KJV 1900
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 ESV
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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
This passage has caused controversy because of what it appears to some to teach.
KJV/NKJV: “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:”
ESV/NASB: “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 good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
Why the difference? Two different textual backgrounds… but the ESV/NASB version is the most textually supported and correct reading.
If baptism is anything, it is an appeal to God to cleanse a person’s conscience
Thus, how could it be an outward sign of an inward forgiveness that has yet to happen, because that outward act of obedience in baptism is what is the appeal FOR a clean conscience?
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