Scriptural Water Baptism

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Matthew 3:1–12 KJV 1900

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Introduction.

One of the most memorable things that we can do as parents is see our children baptized. Bro. Stuart is going to baptize Maddie after the service this morning.

I’ve baptized folks who are still Christians today. I’ve baptized some who are in glory today and I remember their baptism as a turning point in their life. I have baptized others who have turned away. Some are born again before being baptized, others have an experience after baptism, some many years later. Others feel the need to be re-baptized because they weren’t as serious as they should have been the first time.

Regardless, Baptism is an important step, one which we are commanded to do. I want to walk you through what scriptural baptism is and what it is not.

(Define Scriptural)

Scriptural is Bible. Nothing else. Not Bible plus my opinion. Not Bible plus tradition. Bible.

This is our only Book.

There has been many books written, philosophers has raised and fell. But there is only one Book that’ll tell you who you are, where you come from, and where you are going, and that’s the Bible.

That’s the only Book. Of all the fine books we have, you could trash them, every one. This is the Truth. Anything contrary to This is not right. 64-0314 - The Investments

The Message of the Hour opens up the revelation of this Book.

The Greek word for “Baptize” is βαπτίζω (baptizō). vb. to immerse. Expresses the action of immersing something or someone into liquid (usually water). (To dip)

John the Baptist was the first one to baptize unto repentance. the pattern is set by Christ Himself, who was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

1. What is Scriptural Baptism?

a. Scriptural Baptism an outward act done in Commemoration of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and identifying the individual with that Resurrection.

Paul makes the argument that when sin abounded Grace super-abounded.

Romans 6:1–13 KJV 1900

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Follow Christ to the cross to the grave, and to the sky. Baptism is the beginning of that journey.

Notice when Elisha following Elijah, for a reason. Amen. Where did he take him? To Jordan; to Ramoth-Gilead, up to the school of the prophets, and down to Jordan. That’s the way He takes you. Through justification, sanctification, and die out, to receive Life. Amen. Not to a denomination or some creed. But to death to your spirit, so you can be born again.

125 Elijah struck that water, walked across Jordan, and Elisha followed him. And when Elisha returned back to the land again, on the other side, he come back with a double portion.

Today, we follow Jesus to His death, burial and baptism…death, burial, and resurrection, rather, through baptism. We believe Him. We’re die out to the things of the world, confess that we’re nothing, baptized in His Name, buried with Him in baptism, raised with Him in resurrection. Our spirits live up above the things of the world. Then we’re in Christ. 62-0513E - Letting Off The Pressure

b. Scriptural Baptism is in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:19 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 28

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost—It should be, “into the name”; as in 1 Co 10:2, “And were all baptized unto (or rather ‘into’) Moses”; and Ga 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ.”

190 Now, “in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Now listen, brethren. There is no such a thing as name of the “Father,” because Father is not a name. It’s a title. There’s no such a thing as the name of “Son,” ’cause Son is a title. There’s no such a thing as name of “Holy Ghost.” That’s what He is. 61-0425B - The Godhead Explained

If I told you to baptize into the name of the Pastor, the Dad, the Husband, you would baptize in my name. (Illustrate)

Ephesians 3:14 KJV 1900

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3:15 KJV 1900

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Jesus came in the Father’s name.

John 5:43 KJV 1900

I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

There is no other name for salvation or healing.

Acts 4:10–12 KJV 1900

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Colossians 3:17 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

All New Testament Baptisms were in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Jews

Acts 2:38–39 KJV 1900

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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 Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Samaritans

Acts 8:16 KJV 1900

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Gentiles

Acts 10:48 KJV 1900

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

No other name was to be used for Baptism.

(Paul in 1 Corinthians 1. You were not baptized in my name)

Those who were baptized differently had to be rebaptized.

Acts 19:1–6 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Galatians 1:8 KJV 1900

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

c. Scriptural Baptism is Essential

(See prior story)

Three ordinances. Baptism, communion and footwashing.

There’s a baptismal service, following this one. If anyone here, that has not been baptized in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let me say to you, as God’s servant, baptism is essential to salvation. “He that believeth and is baptized,” and is baptized, “shall be saved.”

Now, if you haven’t been baptized in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you have believed on Him and confessed your sins, come now forward after this service and you can be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. 61-1105 - The Testimony Of A True Witness

Communion and Footwashing are also essential. (Streamers)

90 I might explain, as I said a few moments ago, the thing that God left for us to do. Water baptism, one article; communion. And, remember, that’s only two. God is perfected in three. Feetwashing is the third. See? And we remember that, years later, even in the Bible.

91 Some people try to say it’s not necessary. Certainly, I don’t mean to say that people’s feet need washing. That isn’t it. Maybe theirs did not either. But it was an act of humility. It’s a act of doing, just as essential as water baptism. Because He has said here, that, “I have given you an example, that you should do to each other as I have done to you.”

92 And we find out that a widow could not be brought in among the people unless she had lodged strangers and had washed the feet of the saints, showing ourselves humble.

93 That, if anything that we want to be, is humble, ’cause that’s the secret to power, is through humility. And you’re always happy, when you come out of these things, of doing them, it’s a blessed order of fellowship that we observe here at the church. 62-1104E - Ordination

(Must be in person, with someone other than your family)

Traditions.

Baptism was never an end in itself but it points to a spiritual happening.

1 Peter 3:18–22 KJV 1900

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 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: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Obedience.

John baptizes with water “unto repentance”. His cry was to repent and be baptized in preparation for the coming Messiah.

His baptism was Essential. if they did not receive it they would not receive Christ.

Luke 7:24–30 KJV 1900

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Peter says repent and be baptized in preparation for the coming of the Holy Ghost.

It is possible to receive the Holy Ghost before baptism, but baptism will follow. (Paul)

2. When Should a Person Be Baptized?

a. When they are convicted of sin.

Acts 2:37 KJV 1900

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

11 Our responsibility is “preach the Word.” The Bible said, “As many as believed was baptized.” “Repent, and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission, forgiveness of sins.” What? “Be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, see, and you shall then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

12 But when you persuade and pull and scare people, and talk people in…People must come sanely, soberly, under conviction, and receive Christ. Then the first thing they do as soon as they receive Christ sitting in their seats, the next thing is to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of those sins that they have been convinced that they are wrong.

That’s how they are remitted of their sins, see. Cause they have repented; been baptized as a memorial to the people, that, “I have received Christ as my personal Saviour”; then you’re a candidate for the Holy Ghost. 61-1119 - Perfect Strength By Perfect Weakness

b. When they have Repented.

Baptism is not repentance, it is a sign of repentance.

Luke 24:46–47 KJV 1900

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 3:19 KJV 1900

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

c. When they Understand what they are Doing.

Baptism of infants is not scriptural. A person who does not understand is not accountable for sin.

15 Now, there’s people in the world that believe in what they call “infant baptism.” And, that is, they take these little fellows and not baptize them at all, ’cause, they just sprinkle water on them. Now, we don’t find that anywhere in the Bible, where they ever did sprinkle anybody, adults, let alone children.

16 And so baptism is a confession that an inward work of grace has been done. And the little infants has no knowledge of sin. Therefore, when Jesus died at the cross, He died to take away the sin of the world. And when the baby is becomes a human being, and borned into this world, they have no sin of their own, therefore they have no repentance to be done.

But, when that, the Blood of Jesus Christ takes away that sin. Course, the baby is born in sin, shaped in iniquity, comes to the world speaking lies, and they’re sinners by nature, but the Blood of Jesus Christ atones for that. But when the baby is comes to the age of accountability, and knows what’s right and wrong, then it has to repent for what it has done.

Its sin now is the sin just like it’s born in sin, it’s the human sin, the sin now is the sin that Adam and Eve did; and that was omitted by God, by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Now the baby has no sins to repent from until he sins, then he’s got to repent. See? And when he repents, then is the time to be baptized, and then he’s baptized by immersing. 62-1007 - The Key To The Door

3. What Follows Baptism?

a. Sanctification.

Ephesians 5:25–27 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ongoing process. Stand in the water and be washed by the Word. This is the will of God.

272 Your first wedding was annulled. It was. You never done it, in the first place. Because, there’s only one thing could do it, that would be God come down, Himself, and took your place in a form of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and washed you by the Water, of the washing of the Water by the Word.

The Word; not the denomination! The Word washed you. But if you won’t stand in the Water of the Word, how you going to be washed? You’re still as spotted as Eve was. 65-1125 - The Invisible Union Of The Bride Of Christ

Sanctification alone isn’t enough.

b. Holy Ghost Baptism

You have obeyed God and He is duty bound to give you the Holy Ghost!

118 Full obedience to the full Word of God entitles us to the Token. No other way is there, that you could ever be entitled to the Token, until you fully obey the Word. Not what somebody has put into It, and added to It; but what God said about It!

119 When He said, “You must be born again.” That don’t mean jump up-and-down at the altar; that don’t mean walk back there and shake hands with the pastor; that don’t mean all this foolishness that we’ve seen done; it don’t mean putting your name on a church book.

It means death to your first being, and Life to the second being. It means that the Blood has been applied, and you’re identified by the Life of Jesus Christ. And if He be the Vine, and we be the branches, the Life that’s in the branch is in the…also from the Vine. It’ll bear the fruit. 64-0208 - The Token

He will not leave you in the grave of dead trespasses and sins, He will raise you up!

c. Discipleship

Acts 2:41–43 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

If God is in your heart, you can’t hardly wait for them doors to open out yonder, to get in here to fellowship with your brothers. If you don’t feel that way, then I tell you, it’s time you got to praying. 63-0728 - Christ Is The Mystery Of God Revealed