FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (2)

Bible Baptism

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The act is so simple.

1.    A penitent sinner goes down into the water.

2.    Another individual lowers the sinner into the water until the individual is completely submerged in water.

3.    The individual comes forth from the waters of baptism.

 

B.   Even though the act is simple, the controversy surrounding it is not.

 

C.   Only the devil could take the word baptism and turn it into a term of derision.

Only the devil could take an act so simple and turn it into a heated debate.

Only the devil could take an act of faith and remove it from the process of salvation.

 

D.   The only way the controversies surrounding baptism will be answered is by doing an honest, diligent study of the subject.

 

E.   There are many baptisms mentioned in the Bible.

1.    The baptisms or washings under the Law of Moses (Mark 7:4; Heb. 6:2).

2.    The baptism of John (Mark 1:4)

3.    The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11)

4.    The baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11)

5.    The baptism of suffering (Matt. 20:22)

6.    The baptism of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)

7.    The baptism of Moses (1 Cor. 10:1-2)

8.    The baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:29)

 

F.    However, when Paul wrote his epistle to the church of Ephesus, he declared:  “There is one baptism” (Eph. 4:5).  It has been called by many names.

1.    New Testament baptism

2.    Great Commission baptism

3.    The Lord’s baptism

4.    Believer’s baptism

5.    Water baptism

 

G.   We are going to be looking at this baptism this morning.  Our main purpose is to show that Bible Baptism is essential to one’s eternal salvation.

 

i.             THE COLLECTION OF NEW TESTAMENT VERSES

 

A.   Acts 2:38

 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

1.    Had you heard these words for the first time, there is absolutely no way that you would have rejected baptism.

2.    Those who were there did not (Acts 2:41).

3.    Knowing that Jesus shed His blood in order to individuals to obtain the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 26:28), a person would have clearly understood that he needed to baptized in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins.

 

B.   Acts 22:16

 

And now why tarriest thou?  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

1.    Saul was told to be baptized to wash his sins.

2.    Had Saul been instructed by a Calvinist before Ananias arrived, he would have responded to Anaias saying:  “I have already had my sins washed away.  Baptism doesn’t wash away sins.”  His Calvinistic view would have run contrary to the statement of an inspired man of God.

 

C.   Romans 6:3-4

 

Know ye not, that so many of us as 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.

 

1.    Paul tells us that we are baptized into Jesus’ death. 

a.    It was in his death that Jesus shed His blood.

b.    It is in the waters of baptism that we contact the cleansing blood of Christ that removes sin.

2.    We a person comes forth from the waters of baptism, he rises to “walk in newness of life.”  A new life is found after baptism not before.

 

D.   Galatians 3:27

 

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

1.    A person cannot claim to be a Christian unless he has put on Christ.

2.    Those who have been baptized into Christ have put Him on.

 

E.   1 Peter 3:21

 

The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now 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.

 

1.    Baptism doth also now save us.

2.    Baptism doth also now save us.

3.    Baptism doth also now save us.

 

ii.           THE COMMISSION TEXTS

 

A.   Let’s read each of the texts.

1.    Matthew 28:19

 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

 

2.    Mark 16:15-16

 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

3.    Luke 24:47

 

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

B.   Observations:

1.    Matthew and Mark specifically mention baptism.

2.    Luke uses the words “repentance and remission of sins.” 

a.    When he writes the book of Acts, he records Peter’s words to those asked what they needed to do to be saved in Acts 2:38.  Peter tells them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. 

b.    This is a divine commentary on the words of Jesus found in Luke 24:47.

3.    When Jesus gave His Great Commission, baptism was definitely on His mind.

a.    If it isn’t necessary, why did Jesus focus on it?

b.    It comes after teaching, belief, and repentance.

c.    When a person believes and is baptized, he is saved.

d.    When a person is baptized, he receives the remission of sins.

4.    Can anyone imagine the apostles going into the world after hearing the Great Commission and telling anyone:  “Baptism is not essential to salvation?”

 

iii.         THE CONVERSION ACCOUNTS IN ACTS

 

A.   There are 10 major examples of conversions in the book of Acts.

1.    The Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:38, 41)

2.    The Samaritans (Acts 8:12)

3.    Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:13)

4.    The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-39)

5.    Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:18)

6.    The household of Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48)

7.    Lydia (Acts 16:15)

8.    The Philippian jailor (Acts 16:31-34)

9.    The Corinthians (Acts 18:8)

10. The Ephesians (Acts 19:5)

 

B.   In every one of these conversion accounts, the individuals were baptized.

1.    Not all of the accounts mention faith.

2.    Not all of the accounts mention repentance.

3.    Not all of the accounts mention confession of Jesus’ name.

 

iv.          THE CLARIFICATION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

A.   We noted in the introduction that one of the baptisms of the Bible is the baptism of Moses (1 Cor. 10:1-2).

 

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

 

1.    The event Paul is referencing is the escape of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

2.    The children of Israel were “baptized” because the walls of water from the Red Sea were on either side and the clouds filled with water were over them.  They were completely engulfed, or overwhelmed with water.

3.    This is the baptism of Moses.

 

B.   Question:  When were the Israelites freed from Egyptian bondage?  It was not until they were on the other side of the Red Sea.

 

C.   The Exodus of the Jews is a type of the Christian life.

1.    Pharoah can be likened unto Satan.

2.    The Egyptian bondage is like unto the bondage of Sin.

3.    Moses the deliverer is like unto Jesus our deliverer.

4.    The passing through the Red Sea is like unto our baptism through which we pass in order to obtain liberty.

5.    The wilderness wandering is like unto our daily lives.

6.    The Law of Moses is like unto the Law of Christ.

7.    The Jordan River is like unto death.

8.    The land of Canaan is like unto Heaven our Promised Land.

 

v.            THE CASE OF JESUS CHRIST (Matt. 3:13-17)

 

A.   In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus came to John the Baptist to baptized by him in the Jordan River.

 

B.   John’s baptism was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4).

 

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

 

C.   John knew the purpose of his baptism.  He also knew that Jesus did not need to be baptized.  This is why Jesus told John:  “Suffer it to be so now.”

1.    We suffer the exception.

2.    Jesus was the exception to the rule.

3.    He was not baptized for the remission of sins. 

4.    He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. 

 

D.   NOTE:  John’s ministry was preparatory. 

1.    Mark 1:2-3

 

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

2.    He was preparing the nation of Israel for the coming of Jesus and for the coming of the Lord’s kingdom. 

3.    NOTE:  Baptism, immersion in water for the remission of sins, was part of that preparation.

4.    Only Jesus was the exception.  No one is exempt today.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There is one Bible baptism that is valid today.

 

B.   This baptism is an immersion in water for the remission of sins.

 

C.   It is a simple act of faith that puts one in contact with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

 

D.   Have you submitted to the Lord’s baptism?  We can assist you today if you have not.