6/03/07 – 22LAW “Baptism” - Part 1
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Hello!  This is Richard Vaughn

Today’s message is “Baptism” - Part 1

Before we begin, let us seek God’s guidance, “Heavenly Father, as we study this most important subject regarding baptism, I pray that You bless those listening today with the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that we may live in the center of Your revealed will, as we ask in Jesus Name, Amen.”
Right now, I continue to keep my pledge, to cry aloud and spare not, to lift up my voice like a trumpet and to show God’s people where they are transgressing God’s law.
Today and next week, we will focus our study on baptism and the who, what, where, when, why and how of baptism. We will also discuss re-baptism. I want to do this lesson in more of a question and answer format, and I will start the study with this question:

1.	Q. Is baptism really essential? 
	The answer is not to come from our thoughts or speculations; the Bible is to answer this question so we turn to Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The answer is very clear, yes indeed, baptism is essential. Also, in Matthew 3:5-7 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”  Jesus made baptism a condition of salvation.

2.	Q. The thief on the cross was not baptized, why must I be baptized? Answer: He did not restore that which he had stolen as the Lord directs in Ezekiel 33:15. “If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die” There are circumstances that make it a human impossibility for some people to be baptized, as for example the thief on the cross or some person lying on their death bed unable to move, in which cases the baptism of Jesus is their substitute. Psalm 103:14 says, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” God holds us accountable for what we can do, but He also recognizes the limitations of “dust.” The thief on the cross is the only example in the Bible of an exception. God wanted to make certain that no one would be presumptuous in refusing baptism.

3.	Q. There are many ordinances called baptism. Isn’t any one of these acceptable provided a person is sincere and earnest about it? Ephesians 4:5 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” The answer to the question is NO! There is only one true baptism. All the others are baptism counterfeits. The devil’s buffet plan for baptism says, “Take your pick.” There is sprinkling or touching with water, oil, rose petals, wine or salt. There is baptism by telephone, mail or e-mail. One may be baptized by affusion which is pouring water on a person’s head or they may choose to be baptized with no water at all. Other’s say you are baptized by the Holy Spirit only. Also, there is baptism by immersion in water. There is only one acceptable method of baptism. Jeremiah 38:20 says, “Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD…” 

4.	Q. Since Jesus is our example in all things, (1 Peter 2:21) how was Jesus baptized? Answer: Mark 1:9, 10 “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water,” He was baptized by immersion in the Jordan, not on the bank as some believe. John always baptized where there was much water. (John 3:23). The word baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizo” and it means to submerge, dip under, to immerse.

5.	Q. Did the disciples change the method of baptism? Answer: Acts 8:38, 39 “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Philip, a deacon and leader in the early church, baptized the treasurer of Ethiopia by immersion, precisely as John baptized Jesus. Paul warned in Galatians 1:8, that any who teach contrary to what Jesus taught should be accursed. No person, regardless of how godly they seem, is allowed to change God’s words and commands.

6.	Q. Since Jesus and the apostles baptized by immersion, who introduced these other so called baptisms which exist today? Answer: Matthew 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Misguided men introduced other forms of baptism in direct contradiction of God’s Word. In Matthew 15:3, 6 Jesus asked, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” By the words of Jesus, worship that follows human teaching is “vain.” Worship today is the result of centuries of compromise and tradition has replaced true worship. No wonder Jude 3 says, “…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

7.	Q. What must a person do to prepare for baptism? Answer: A person should do three simple things prior to baptism. A. Learn God’s requirements. Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them…” “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:…” B. Believe the truth of God’s Word. Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, …” C. Repent of and turn away from his sins and experience conversion. Acts 2:38 “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, …” Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, …”

8.	Q. What is the meaning of baptism? Answer: Romans 6:4-6 “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.” It represents the believer following Jesus into His death, burial and resurrection. The symbolism is perfect and filled with deep meaning. In baptism the eyes are closed, hands are folded, and breath is suspended as in death. Then comes burial in the water, followed by resurrection from the watery grave to a new life in Christ. The great difference between Christianity and other religions is simply the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. To keep these three vital acts alive in the minds of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial. There is no death, burial and resurrection in other forms of baptism. Only immersion fulfills the meaning of Romans 6:4-6.

9.	Q. Should a person wait to be baptized until he is sure he will never slip and fall? Answer: 2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” The question is like saying a baby should never try to walk until certain that he will never slip and fall. A new Christian is a new-born babe in Christ. This is why the conversion experience is called the “new birth.” The ugly sinful past no longer exists for a child of God, as that past has been forgiven and forgotten by God. God judges us on our attitude and the trend of our life, rather than on a few slips and falls we may experience as immature Christians.

10.	Q. Why is baptism an urgent matter for a converted sinner? Answer: Acts 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Baptism is a public testimony that the repentant sinner has been forgiven and cleansed by Jesus (1 John 1:9) and that his sinful, traitorous past is behind him. No incriminating evidence against a person exists after conversion. Men and women today stagger and struggle along under heavy loads of guilt and sin. This contamination and burden is so devastating to the human personality that people will go to almost any length to achieve a sense of forgiveness and cleansing. Some go to the psychiatrist’s couch where human beings try to assist other human beings. But the real help is only found in coming to Jesus, who says to all who come to Him, “I will; be thou clean.” Matthew 8:3. Not only does He cleanse you, but He crucifies the old nature within you. Burial in the water symbolizes the burial of the ugly corpse of the old sinful life. The ordinance is of utmost importance because it publicly represents the most stupendous provisions made for people.
Well time is up for this week. Next week we will continue our study on the subject of Baptism – part 2 as we are looking at the who, what, where, when, why and how of Baptism and we will find the real truths in God’s Word on this very important subject.
If you would like to worship with seventh day Sabbath-keepers, come to the Victory Seventh Day Adventist Church in South Hill at 117 W. Danville Street, in the old Citizens Bank building, just a couple doors from the library.
Until next week, Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”. Come Lord Jesus.