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Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
Is Denominational Baptism Valid?
1. Let us suppose a middle-aged man walks down the aisle as we extend the invitation in a few minutes. As we sit together on the front pew and discuss the reason he responded, he tells me that he has come to understand that we are practicing New Testament Christianity just as he reads in his Bible. He says that he has been a member of a denominational church and he wants to repent of the errors associated with that and place his membership with us. I tell him that I am happy he has come to that understanding and ask whether he is ready to be baptized into Christ. He replies that he was baptized several years ago in the denominational church and believes that his baptism is valid in the eyes of God. He does not wish to be baptized again and asks us to accept his previous baptism. How should we respond?
2. This is not a far-fetched scenario. It has happened many, many times in different places. We need guidance from God's word to know that we are dealing correctly with any situation.
3. The Bible teaches that baptism can be invalid [Acts 19:1-5 (NKJV) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.]
a. These men had been baptized "into John's baptism" That refers to the baptism of John the Baptist. From the context, it appears evident that they had been taught and baptized by Apollos who, before he was taught more fully by Aquila and Priscilla, "knew only the baptism of John" [Acts 18:25].
b. Paul gave further teaching to these disciples. When they heard his teaching, Acts 19:5 tells us "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." There was something defective about their previous baptism. It was necessary for them to be baptized correctly -- in this case, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
c. Certainly it can be true that people today are in similar circumstances. Those who have not been baptized according to the teaching of the New Testament need to be baptized.
I. A WARNING ABOUT PREJUDICE AS WE STUDY THIS ISSUE
It is possible for people today to have their view on issues like this colored by prejudice (i.e., preconceived ideas). That could work at least two ways:
A. Prejudice against denominations. We must refute their error and reprove their sinful practices, but we must love their souls. Truth should always be spoken in love [Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;]
B. Prejudice in favor of denominations.
C. Our view of this subject needs to be no broader and no narrower than the teachings of the Bible. We should not allow our feelings to pre-judge the matter. Let God's word settle it.
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF BIBLE BAPTISM
A. The right name
1. The name of the Lord Jesus [Acts 19:5]
2. The name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19]
3. The name of Jesus Christ [Acts 2:38]
4. The name of the Lord Jesus [Acts 8:16]
5. The name of the Lord [Acts 10:48]
6. Baptizing in the name of Christ is done by the power of Christ. He is one with the Father [John 10:30]. Jesus commanded baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Great Commission which lasts until the end of the age (world) [Matthew 28:20]. "Jesus Only" baptism as practiced by some Pentecostal groups is NOT done in the name of the Father or the Holy Spirit.
B. The right method
1. The Greek word for baptize means "to dip, plunge, or immerse."
2. Immersion is "burial."
a. Romans 6:4 (NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
b. Colossians 2:12 (NKJV) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
3. Baptism requires much water [John 3:23 (NKJV) Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.]
4. Baptism requires going down into the water and coming up out of the water [Acts 8:38-39 (NKJV) So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.]
5. One who had water sprinkled or poured on him has not been baptized. If the man responding to the invitation came from a denominational church which sprinkled him with water and called it baptism, the question is answered. He has not been baptized.
C. The right preparation
1. Not everyone is READY to be baptized. Without the proper preparation, what is called baptism might be nothing more than being thrown into the baptistery.
2. Faith is necessary before baptism is meaningful [Mark 16:16 (NKJV) "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.] It is easy to see than an atheist would accomplish nothing by being baptized. It should be equally obvious that a baby (so young that he is incapable of believing) gains no benefit from baptism -- even if it were done in the right way.
3. Repentance is also necessary before baptism has any effectiveness [Acts 2:38 (NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.]
4. Confessing Christ -- letting others know of your faith is also necessary. Look at John 12:42-43 (NKJV) Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Modern-day equivalents of those fearful rulers are not ready for baptism.
D. Right purpose
1. Baptism washes away sins [Acts 22:16 (NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
2. Baptism is for remission of sins [Acts 2:38 (NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.]
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IN BAPTISM
A. Christianity is a religion of understanding. God is not pleased with mere rituals. [1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV) Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.]
B. A key question in studying the validity of denominational baptism is the understanding a person needs before he is baptized.
1. Some have said that all one needs to understand is that baptism is commanded by God.
a. E. G. Sewell wrote in the Gospel Advocate many years ago: "I have often found persons coming forward at my invitations to unite with the brethren at that place on the Bible; and if I had not already been informed as to how they stood, I would ask them if they wished to be baptized; and if they said no, that they had been baptized, immersed, then I would ask them if, when they were baptized, they did it as a matter of submission to the will and requirements of God; and if they said they did, that was an end to it, and they were received by that congregation as Christians to live with Christians as the word of God directs." (M. C. Kurfees, ed., Questions Answered By Lipscomb and Sewell, 52).
b. With respect to all the good brother Sewell did in other areas, he followed a dangerous practice here. In the circumstances described, who would not answer yes when asked if he had been baptized to submit to the will of God. I doubt that few adults are ever baptized without having a desire to please and obey God. However, the question does nothing to determine what understanding of God's will regarding baptism the individual had when he was baptized.
2. Motives matter to God. That can be demonstrated by a hundred Scriptures. If a person is baptized thinking himself to already be saved, then his baptism does not fit the Bible description of baptism -- an action designed to wash away sins [Acts 22:16]. Baptism saves [1 Peter 3:21]. Most denominational churches do not teach that truth. One who is baptized (by immersion) having the belief that he is already saved is not experiencing the baptism taught in the New Testament.
3. Let us close by looking again at Paul's example of dealing with the twelve disciples in Ephesus.
a. When his suspicions were aroused, he questioned their baptism [Acts 19:3 -- "Into what then were you baptized?"] Unlike Sewell, he didn't ask, "Were you baptized to obey God?" He wanted a specific answer!
b. Paul corrected their misunderstanding about baptism by further teaching [Acts 19:4 (NKJV) Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."]
c. Paul baptized them properly [Acts 19:5 (NKJV) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.]
4. There we have the New Testament example of how to deal with incorrect baptisms. Teach them right and baptize them right!
CONCLUSION
Copyright ©2002 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
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LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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