The document discusses the importance and proper method of baptism according to the Bible. It makes three key points:
1) Baptism is an important ordinance established by Jesus Christ and emphasized by his command in Matthew 28:19 and the apostles' example of baptizing new believers.
2) The proper mode of baptism is full immersion, as implied by Bible passages describing Jesus' baptism and burial and resurrection symbolism.
3) The formula used in baptism should be "in the name of Jesus," as practiced by the apostles in Acts, rather than the later tradition of using "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Baptism should be done according
3. The Importance Of Baptism Baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. -Jesus commanded it in Matthew 28:19 -Peter followed up by saying “Be baptized everyone of you” and by commanding the Gentiles to be Baptized. (Acts 2:38, 10:48) First, whatever Christ has established and ordained cannot be unimportant. -Whether we understand it’s significance or not.
4. Second, Christ and the Apostles displayed the importance of this ordinance by observing it. Third, Jesus walked many miles to be baptized, though he was without sin. “For thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt. 3:13-16) Peter explains, “Baptism, does save also 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.” (1Peter 3:21) (St. Luke 7:30) “The Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not Baptized of him.”
5. The Mode Of Baptism The proper mode of baptism is emerging. “And Jesus when he was baptized went up straight way out of the water.” (Matt. 3:16) “And they went both in water both Phillip and Eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts:38) “Therefore we are burried with him by baptizm into death.” (Romans 6:4) A corpse is not buried by placing it on top of the ground, and sprinkling a little soil on it, but by covering it completley.
6. Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and Baptism identifies us with his burial. Coming forth from the watery grave of Baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit identifies us with His resurrection.
7. The Formula For Baptism Jesus commanded his disciples “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). He did not command them to use these words as a formula, but he commanded them to baptize in “the name”. The word “name” is used here in the singular, and it is the focal point of the baptismal command. The titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost describes God’s relationship to humanity and are not the supreme saving name described here, which is Jesus.
8. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) - Jesus is the name in which the roles of Father, Son , and Holy Ghost are revealed. - The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, “She shall bring forth a son, and though shall call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sin.” (Matt. 1:21) Jesus said, “I am come in my fathers name,” and “the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the father will send in my name” (St. John 5:43, 14:26) Thus by baptizing in the name of Jesus, we honor the Godhead. -”For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Coll. 2:9)
9. Open Understanding Jesus open the disciples understanding, it was necessary that their understanding be open. “Thus it is written and thus it behooves Christ to suffer and to rise from the grave on the third day” (Luke 24:45-46) “And that repentance and remission of sins shall be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47)
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11. - “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38).
12. “Then they gladly received his word, were baptized and, the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).Peter at the house of Cornelius several years later. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles. - Peter “command them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). (Most translation actually say, “In the name of Jesus Christ.”)
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14. “He said unto them, have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And he said unto him we have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
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16. Instead, we find them baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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18. Which means more to you, the command of the Lord or the tradition of men?
