Baptism

IX. ORDINANCES: the Christian should observe the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are (1) baptism of believers by triune immersion (Matt 28:19) and (2) the threefold communion service, consisting of the washing of the saints' feet (John 13:1-17), the

Lord's Supper (I Cor 11:20, 33-34; Jude 12) and the communion of the bread and the cup (I Cor 11:23-26). [We believe that only triune immersion and only threefold communion meet the biblical mandates of our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the ordinances (Matt

28:20; John 13:13-17).]

I. What is an Ordinance?

John 14:15, 21; 15:9-10

a. An ordinance is something {ordered} to be done. Jesus expects us to obey all His commands, but not every command is an ordinance. Theologians generally agree that an ordinance is a special type of command that has three aspects:

i. It is a physical {act} that is ceremonial in nature. {It’s an action; something we do outwardly; a ritual}

ii. It has an underlying {truth} to be pictured. {Mode reflects doctrine; there is an intended and specified symbolic significance; objects or actions symbolize a truth}

iii. It is to be a {perpetual} practice during the Church age. {perpetuation is expected by the Lord during the church age; continual practice until Christ returns}

b. The purpose of an ordinance is to be a continual physical {reminder} of some key spiritual truth. They are purely symbolic, and are not sacramental. {the ordinances are visual aids to help our memory; teaching tools to aid our understanding; memorials}

Conclusion: We believe the Christian should observe the ordinances of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

2. The Grace Brethren believe there are {two} ordinances that Scripture teaches every Christian to observe. Baptism and Communion.

The first ordinance is Triune {Baptism} .

II. Why Baptize?

Because We Love Jesus.

Matthew 28:16–20 NASB95

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1. The {command} in this passage: “make disciples” (v19)

a. The {context} of this passage: Matthew 28:16–20 (NASB95) 16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” {a post-resurrection appearance by Christ in Galilee to 500 brethren in which He gives the Great Commission}

1). This command {governs} the three participles surrounding it, giving them all an imperative sense. {We are commanded to go, to baptize, to teach; only believers are to be baptized: Acts 2:41; 8:12,36; 16:14-15, 31-33; 18:8}

2). These three participles further explain {how} we are to ‘make disciples.’ {the ordinance of baptism is an important element in disciple making}

b. The {language} of the command to baptize:

(1) The {literal} reading communicates triune immersion. Jesus gives a precise formula for baptism: “into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” {It’s obvious that Jesus wanted the doctrine of the Trinity pictured}

(2) The {grammatical} analysis indicates triune immersion:

(a) The word ‘ {baptize} ’ (bapti,zw) means to dip (repeatedly), to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) {the idea of being overwhelmed; no sprinkling!}

(b) This formula has an ellipsis (the omission of words naturally understood).

ellipsis a: the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete [Merriam-Websters collegiate dictionary.]

(i) The {full} meaning of the phrase is: “baptizing them into the name of the Father, and (baptizing them into the name) of the Son, and (baptizing them into the name) of the Holy Spirit.”

(ii) The convert is to be immersed into {each} name separately.

{or dipped}

ILLUSTRATION: If I were to say, “take a brick, throwing it into the brook, the pool, and the pond;” what would you have to do in order to obey that command? Until you have actually thrown the brick three times, you have not fulfilled this command. This example parallels the grammar of Matt. 28:19 exactly.{Until you have been immersed three times, you have not fulfilled Christ’s command regarding baptism.}

KEY POINT: There is no better way {grammatically} to communicate triune immersion than what we have in the text! This is the one mode that Jesus meant.

iv. The {historical} evidence for triune immersion in Church history.

(1) Before 360 A.D., whenever water Baptism is {described} in detail by the Church Fathers, it is always described as “triune immersion.”

(2) The famous church historian, Philip Schaff, concludes that triune immersion was “the all but universal rule of the church in early times.”

3. Clement of Alexandria 150-200AD “Ye were conducted to a bath just as Christ was carried to the grave, and were thrice immersed to signify the three days of his burial.”

4. Tertullian 160-220AD “Lastly, he commands them to baptize into the Father and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, not into a unipersonal God. And, indeed, it is not once only, but tree times, that we are immersed into the three persons, at each several mention of their names.”

“I shall begin with baptism, When we are going to enter the water, but a little before in the presence of the congregation and under the hand of the president, we solemnly profess that we disown the Devil, and his pomp and his angels. Hereupon we are thrice immersed.”

5. Monulus 200-270AD “The true doctrine of our holy mother, the Catholic Church, hath always, my brethren, been with us, and doth yet abide with us, and especially in the Article of Baptism, and the trine immersion wherewith it is celebrated, our having said, “go ye, and baptize the Gentiles, in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

6. Ambrose 340-397AD “Thouwast asked, Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty? Thou sadist, I do believe, and wast dipped, that is buried. Thouwast asked again, Dost thou believe on our Lord Jesus Christ, and his crucifixion? Thou sadist, I believe, and wast dipped again, and so wast buried with Christ. Thou wast interrogated the third time, dost thou believe in the Holy spirit? Thou answeredst, I believe, and wast dipped a third time.”

7. Also Cyril 315-386AD, Basil 328-379AD, Chrysostom, 347-407AD, Augustine 354-430AD, Theodoret 386-456AD, Gregory 388AD, Gelasius 492AD, Pelagius sixth century.

8.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE): Trine (Triune) Immersion

Eunomius (circa 360) introduced single immersion “into the death of Christ.” This innovation was condemned. Apostolical Constitutions, 50, says, “If any presbyter or bishop does not perform the one initiation with three immersions, but with giving one immersion only into the death of the Lord, let him be deposed.

III. Why Baptism is Foundational

A. It is the one command set apart by Jesus that shows you are His disciple

B. It identifies us with the visible church (ie. A local congregation) Acts 2:41–42 (NASB95) 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

C. It is foundational to the Christian faith, but not foundational to salvation.

1. It cannot save you.

1 Peter 3:21 NASB95

21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

2. It is not weightier than your heart condition. Matthew 23:23

IV. Baptism Concerns

What about Romans 6:3-5?

Is it through water baptism that we are buried with Christ? Is it water baptism that raises us up with Christ to walk in newness of life? Does water baptism unite us with Christ? If this is water baptism, then the Bible teaches that water baptism, not faith alone, saves us.

2. What if I have already been baptized?

Do I need to do it again?

If I do, does it mean that my first baptism had no meaning?

Acts 19:1–6 NASB95

1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

Faith Always Amends Itself in the Light of Further Revelation.

Application:

Will you obey the command of the Lord Jesus to be baptized? What is holding you back? Fear, doubt, or laziness? Do you think that it is optional?