Shall we examine the doctrine of Baptism? Once again, we find a controversy over a Biblical Doctrine.
We have some that believe that �Jesus Name Only� baptism is the only way that will work. Others say it�s the �Father, Son, and Holy Ghost� that is the only way. Some, say you don�t have to be baptized at all, while others prefer to sprinkle. This is straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
The word �Baptize� comes from the Greek word �Baptizo� which means to make �fully wet.�
Jesus said in John 3:5 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.
Jesus said in Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
There is more to being baptized, Jesus said, I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)
You see, it is not so much as what the man baptizing says, it is the condition of the person�s heart that is being baptized that is important. Whether that person understands that the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is �Jesus,� is not as important as them understanding what they are partaking of, and that they are repentant. The word �repent� means to be sorrowful for, and turn away from your evil deeds. Baptism is a representation of, and being a partaker in, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the One and only begotten Son of God the Father.
If a person is baptized 14 times in all the different ways and does not repent, he is still lost. If he goes down a sinner and comes up a sinner, then he is just a wet sinner. In other words, if you have no intention of changing your ways you might have well just went swimming.
Baptism represents going down into a watery grave, dying out to sin, and being resurrected a new creature in Christ. That is the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38)
In 1st Peter 3:18-22, Peter says: 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 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 power being made subject unto Him.
In Romans 6:3-6: Paul says: Know ye not, that so many of us 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 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.
Jesus Christ, who had no sin, was baptized for two reasons. One, as an example for us; and two, that He might receive the power of the Holy Ghost. We also, in like manner, in obedience to His commandment must be baptized. Not only for the saving of our souls, but that we might also receive the Holy Ghost.
1/25/03 |
