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BIBLE DOCTRINES

Introduction

Baptism is one of the most misunderstood doctrines of the Bible. It is both over emphasized and under emphasized. There are those who claim that baptism is essential to salvation and those who do not care whether Believers are baptized or not. Both of these positions are wrong. Baptism is a part of the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) but it is clearly separated from the Gospel

(1 Corinthians 1:17). Let us look into the Word of God and seek to give baptism its proper place.

I.         BELIEVERS ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM!

            A.        Baptism Is Only For Believers!

                        1.         Acts 2:41 says, "they that gladly received His Word were baptized."

                        2.         Acts 8:13 says, "then Simon himself believed also: and when he was

                                    baptized..."

                        3          Acts 8:37–When the Ethopian asked, "What doth hinder me to be baptized?" Philip told him, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."

                        4          Except for the repentant thief, it appears all New Testament Believers were baptized.

            B.        Baptism Has No Meaning For Unbelievers!

            C.        Baptism Has No Meaning For Infants! (Because they don’t have ability to believe!)

                        1.         There is nothing whatsoever in the Bible to justify infant baptism.

                        2.         M.R. DeHaan quotes the following statement made by Dr. Albertus Pieters in a booklet, Defending Infant Baptism: "If some intelligent being from Mars should come to visit our earth and we should hand him our Bible with the request to tell us what he found, he would learn of the general doctrine and some of the practices of the Christian religion without any other aid. He would find the Lord's Supper, the organization of the church with elders and deacons, and adult baptism, but it is safe to say that he would never get into his head that little children should be baptized. He would not find infant baptism in the Bible because it is not there and cannot be gotten out of the Bible."

                        3.         Infant baptism gives a false sense of security and tends to keep the individual from turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.

II.       IMMERSION IS THE MODE OF BAPTISM!

            A.        The Meaning Of The Word “Baptism” Teaches Immersion!

                        1.         The Greek word "baptizo" literally means to dip, to plunge, or immerse!

                        2.         The word has no historical or Biblical place where it is used to signify a partial application of water!

                        3.         The Greek language has words for sprinkle or pour, but they are never used in the place of baptizo!

            B.        The Act Of Baptism In The New Testament Calls For Immersion!

                        1.         Philip and the Ethiopian both went down into the water. (Acts 8:38)

                        2.         Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:16)

                        3.         Much water was sought for baptism. (John 3:22-23)

                        4.         Every baptism in the New Testament either demands or allows for immersion.

III.      THE LOCAL CHURCH IS THE AUTHORITY FOR BAPTISM!

            A.        The Great Commission Was Given To The Local Churches! (Matthew 28:18-20)

                        1.         The disciples were gathered as a body.

                        2.         The local church is the organization established by Christ to carry out the work of God in this age.

            B.        The Local Church Gives Authority To Baptize!

                        1.         Normally, the pastor of the church does the baptizing.

                        2.         The church has the authority to designate any responsible man, ordained or not, to perform the ordinance of baptism.

                        3.         It would be a violation of Scriptural principle to authorize women or children to baptize.

            C.        To Teach That Individuals Rather Than The Church Were Given, The Great Commission Would Bring Chaos Rather Than Order! (Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:40)

IV.      IDENTIFICATION IS THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM!

            A.        The Baptized Believer Is Publicly Identified With Christ In His Death, Burial, And Resurrection. (Romans 6:3-5)

                        1.         It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to place believers in Christ at the point of salvation.

                        2.         All believers are baptized into one body. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

            B.        The Baptized Believer Is Identified With The Local Church Baptizing Him.

                        1.         Water baptism places the believer in the local body.

                        2.         It is unscriptural to baptize an individual and say that they have not become a member of the church that baptized them.

                        3.         Being baptized in a Baptist church makes the individual a member of a Baptist church and identifies him with Baptist doctrine.

                        4.         Any person joining a Baptist church must have had Believer's baptism by a “Church of like faith and practice” (i.e. a Baptist church.)

V.        A GOOD CONSCIENCE IS THE RESULT OF BAPTISM. (1 Peter 3:21)

            A.        Baptism Is A Figure. (i.e. A picture. 3:21a)

            B.        Baptism Does Not Put Away The Filth Of The Flesh. (3:21b Cf. 1 John 1:7)

            C.        Baptism Is The Answer Of A Good Conscience Toward God. (3:21c)

                        1.         It testifies that the Believer has accepted Christ and is now dead to sin and the world.

                        2.         It is the first step of obedience after salvation and therefore says, "I am doing what my Savior has commanded me to do."

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!