We have already learned what the gospel is and that we must obey it.
We have also seen that Peter told us exactly how to obey the gospel in Acts 2:38.
The Gospel is...
- Death
- Burial
- Resurrection
Acts 2:38 says to...
- Repent
- Be baptized
- Receive the Holy Ghost
Since the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16) each step of obedience to it is essential. In this lesson we will learn about water baptism.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Does it matter if I get baptized or not?
Acts 10:48
- And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Peter did not suggest that Cornelius and his household be baptized; he COMMANDED them.
1 Peter 3:21
- 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 a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The Bible says here that baptism now SAVES us.
Mark 16:16
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
To be saved we must believe AND be baptized.
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.
What is baptism for? The REMISSION of sins.
To remit means to pay a debt. I need to have my sins paid for!
Easy as 1-2-3!
Does it matter how I get baptized?
Ephesians 4:5
- One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Just as there is only one Lord and one true faith, there is also only ONE acceptable baptism.
Let’s make sure we get it right.
We will check for the right method of baptism by looking for scriptural instruction and scriptural example.
Immerse or sprinkle?
John 3:23
- And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
John the Baptist chose this place because there was MUCH water. You don’t need much water to sprinkle.
Acts 8:38-39 and Matthew 3:16 both describe baptism taking place in a body of water. There is no Bible example of sprinkling at all.
The word baptize is originally the Greek word “baptizo” (baptid'-zo) which simply means to immerse or submerge.
In other words, baptize means to put it under water!
Romans 6:4
- 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.
Baptism is how we are BURIED with Jesus.
When Jesus was buried, he went completely into the tomb. Otherwise you could not really say that He was buried.
If someone did not go completely into the water, can you really say they were baptized?
Easy as 1-2-3!
What about the name?
Acts 4:12
- Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
We must be SAVED by a name and there is only ONE name that can do it.
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:
Did Jesus tell his disciples to baptize in a “name” or in “names”?
The name He said to baptize in is not “Father”, it is not “Son”, and it is not “Holy Ghost”.
But rather it is the one name that is the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
What is that one name that the disciples went and baptized in?
Here are the only scriptures in the Bible that describe what name was used when people were baptized.
Take note of how that name is described in each reference:
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.
Acts 8:16
- (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 10:48
- And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:5
- When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16
- And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
What is that one name? JESUS!
Easy as 1-2-3!
1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Thank God for the opportunity to have our sins washed away in the waters of baptism!!
