What The Bible Says About...

Transcription

1 What The Bible Says About... Six+ Weeks Thursday's 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Beginning 8/2/2018 Week of 8/30/2018 NOTE: Please take a note-pad, read each scripture given, and make notes for yourself. Bring your questions to class. What The Bible Says About Baptism I. The Authority for Baptism. II. The Method of Baptism A. Plain statements of Scripture 1. Water 2. Much water 3. Going to the water 4. Going down into the water 5. Coming up out of the water B. The symbolism of baptism 1. Baptism is a picture of a burial and a resurrection 2. Baptism, a picture of a birth C. The meaning of the Greek word. III. The person to be baptized A. A person most be a believer in Christ B. A person should be a penitent believer. C. There seems to have been a public confession of Christ preceding baptism in the New Testament. IV. The Proper purpose for baptism A. In order to be saved B. For the remission of sins C. For washing away of sin D. Baptism into Christ V. A One week Family Study Guide

2 What The Bible Says About Immersion Jesus said, Matthew 16:26 (GW) What good will it do for people to win the whole world and lose their lives? Or what will a person give in exchange for life? Any subject that relates to the salvation of one's soul is an important subject, and needs careful study. Jesus said, Mark 16:16 (GW) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. That makes baptism in water a subject that requires careful study. Jesus considered baptism important enough to walk some 60 to 70 miles from Nazareth to be baptized by John in the Jordan River to set us an example. Certainly our Lord and the Apostles believed this to be a vital part of obedience. In eight clear examples of conversion in the book of Acts, baptism is specifically mentioned. We must consider it significant also. Our aim in this lesson is to study the teaching of the New Testament concerning baptism. We will answer these questions: (1) Who commanded the act of baptism? (2) What is the method of baptism? (3) Who is to be baptized? (4) What is the purpose of baptism? The following Scriptures deserve careful reading and studying. Read each one in context, and ask what God is saying through these Scriptures. Write your answers in your journal. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 5:25-27; Colossians 2:11-13: Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21 I. The Authority for Baptism One way of determining the importance of any act or doctrine, is by the source of authority for it. After Jesus resurrection, He gave the Apostles the Great Commission. He said in Matthew 28:18-20 (GW) When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said,

3 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time. The command came from the Lord Jesus and was to be done in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit The expression, "in the name of..." usually means "by the authority of...." When a policeman arrests a criminal "In the name of the law" he means "by the authority of the law." The act of baptism was authorized by the heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. There can be no higher authority than this. In Acts 2:38, Peter commanded baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ." Since God has delegated all authority to Jesus, during this age (Matthew 28:18), it would not be necessary to repeat each time, the name of the Father, and the Holy Spirit, because to do it in the name of Jesus would be doing it by the authority of all three. II. The Method of Baptism In this present time, there has been much discussion regarding the proper form or action of baptism. What is done, physically speaking, when one is baptized? This question can be easily answered by the New Testament We shall use three lines of evidence in determining the action of baptism. A. Plain Statement of Scripture The Bible was written so that ordinary people could understand it. God desires that everyone be saved. The things that a man needs to do to be saved are written in simple language. Let us examine the Scriptures to see what baptism is. The Bible teaches that the act of baptism requires: 1. Water.

4 Acts 10:46-48 (NASB) Then Peter answered, 47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. he?" Matthew 8:13 records that Jesus came to the Jordan river to be baptized by John. Water then is essential to the act of baptism 2. Much Water John 3:23 (NASB) John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized John was preaching and baptizing there because there was "much water." Baptism then requires much water. 3. Going to the water. Invariably the person to be baptized in the New Testament went to the water. It never mentions water being brought to the candidate. It is recorded of John's baptism, Matthew 3:5-6 (NASB) 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. Acts 8:36 (NASB) As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 4. Going down into the water. The Bible teaches that people not only went to the water but they went down into it The Bible says concerning Philip and the Eunuch, Acts 8:38-39 (NASB) 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, and the eunuch... went on his way rejoicing. This was an act requiring both the person being baptized and the person doing the baptizing to be in the water.

5 5. Coming up out of the water. Mark states that after Jesus was baptized, Mark 1:10 (NASB) 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; Luke writes, in Acts 8:39 39 When they came up out of the water, and the eunuch... went on his way rejoicing. From the New Testament one would conclude that baptism was an act that took much water, that both the candidate and the one doing the baptizing went to the water, went down into it, and then came up out of it. All these requirements would be useless if the act of baptism required only a few drops or water placed on the candidate's head. The act of immersion, however, requires all these conditions. The Scriptures then definitely point toward immersion in water as being New Testament baptism. Read further in this study for the meaning of the Greek word behind baptism. B. The symbolism of baptism. Since man lives in a physical world, God has given physical acts or ordinances to teach him spiritual truth. This is true of baptism. Baptism is not just a physical act. It is an act filled with spiritual meaning. 1. Baptism is a picture of a burial and a resurrection. In Romans 6:1-5, we read of this great spiritual meaning. Baptism is actually a drama which portrays two significant acts. Paul says Romans 6:2-4 (NASB) How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the sins of man is the greatest event in all history. God desired that man should never forget this, therefore he gave the act of baptism. Whenever

6 one sees the act of baptism, he should see first of all Christ dying on the cross, being buried in Joseph's tomb, and being raised again on the third day. This reminds the Christian constantly that Jesus loved him and gave His life for him. 2. Buried in the water grave of baptism. A second picture that one sees in baptism is that of the individual who has died to sin through faith and repentance, is buried. The old man of sin having been crucified, is now buried and separated from the penitent believer. Baptism is the burial ceremony for the old man of sin this person is baptized into Christ; he is joined to Him, united with Him, then, he is raised a new man in Christ, to walk in a "newness" or new way of life. No action, except immersion, carries all this rich symbolic meaning. Baptism is intended to glorify Christ by constantly reminding us of His sacrifice and resurrection. To change baptism from immersion, not only departs from the plain teaching of the scripture but robs Christ of the honor which is due Him. Standard Publishing, Company, published a VEST-POCKET SERIES CHRISTIAN TRACTS in 1900, that had a tract by Professor J.W. McGarvey. In his tract, Professor McGarvey said: When I was in Palestine, if I could have found beyond all doubt the very sepulcher of Joseph, in which the Savior was laid away, where he lay so still until the resurrection morning, I would have prized the sight of it above all that I saw. I would have been glad to go in and to stretch myself on the same bare rock floor, to have some friend roll a stone to the mouth of it, that I might realize by imagination my Savior's burial. We can not do that; we are not permitted to do it; but in this ordinance of baptism we are allowed to do the next thing to it Laid down in a watery grave in obedience to His command, we allow the water to close above our heads, and then, as though we were dead, we are lifted by the strong arm or the servant of God out of that cold grave and we start to

7 walk in a new life as He started to walk in a new one when he arose from the dead. 2. Baptism, a picture of a birth. Jesus told Nicodemus, "John 3:5 (NASB) Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The scriptures teach that a Christian is a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Immersion graphically conveys this meaning. Paul refers to baptism as the washing of regeneration: Titus 3:5 (NASB) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, The Christian is begotten or conceived by the Spirit through the Word of God, and is born of water. In the act of immersion this picture of a birth is quite clear. C. The Meaning of the Greek word. The Greek language, which is the original language of the New Testament, was very precise and accurate. A word was seldom used to convey more than one meaning. This is true in the case of the word that is translated baptism. The Greek is βαπτίζω, baptizō, or baptize. In the Greek language it means To dip, immerse, or submerge. In Spanish it is sumergirse, which speaks of dipping or immersing. This is not denied by any serious student of the word. From our study we have found that the plain statements of scripture, regarding the act of baptism, the symbolism embodied in the act and the Greek word, which Christ used, all indicate that baptism is an immersion in water. What did the writers of the New Testament mean when they used the Greek word for what we now refer to as baptism? Did

8 they mean to sprinkle, or did they mean to pour, or immerse, dip? Here is what W. E. Vine says in his book, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Verb, BAPTIZO, to baptise, primarily a frequentative form of bapto, was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another, etc. Plutarchus uses it of the drawing of wine by dipping the cup into the bowl (Alexis, 67) and Plato, metaphorically, of being overwhelmed with questions (Euthydemus, 277 D). Nouns, BAPTISMA, baptism, consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip), is used (a) of John s baptism, (b) of Christian baptism Baptism cannot mean sprinkle or sprinkling, there is a different Greek word used: Verb, RHANTIZO, to sprinkle (a later form of rhaino), is used in the Active Voice in Hebrews 9:13, of sprinkling with blood the unclean, Nouns RHANTIMOS, sprinkling, akin to RHANTIZO, is used of the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, in Hebrews 12:24 and 1 Peter 1:2, as an allusion to the use of blood of sacrifices, appointed for Israel, typical of the sacrifice of Christ. Baptism cannot mean pouring, there is a different Greek word used: 1. BALLO, to throw, is used of pouring liquids, Matthew 26:12, R.V, marg., cast (of ointment); John 13:5 (of water). 2. KATACHEO, to pour down upon (kata, down, cheo, to pour), is used in Matthew 26:7, and Mark 14:3, of ointment. The truth is baptism is the immersion of the candidate under water and emergence from the water. Thus the apostle Paul uses the figure of the Christian having been buried with Christ, when baptized (Colossians 2:12), and baptized into His death, and raised into a new life. (Romans 6:3-11). To use sprinkling or pouring for baptism, is a contradiction of terms, and does damage to the meaning of the Greek language. III. The Person To Be Baptized

9 The next question to be considered is, who is the proper subject for baptism? What kind of person is to be baptized? Not every person- is ready to be baptized. There are certain prerequisites to the act of baptism. A. A Person must be a believer in Christ. Jesus said Mark 16:16 (NASB) He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. In Acts 18:8 we read, Acts 18:8 (NASB) many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. There is no commandment to baptize those who are too young to believe oar who are not capable of believing. The Scripture further teaches that those to be baptized must be teachable. In the Great Commission, Jesus said, Matthew 28:19 (NASB) 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, The New Testament teaches that a person must be a believer in Christ before he can be baptised. B. A Person Has to be a Penitent Believer. Repentance is required before baptism. Peter told the 3,000 men on the day of Pentecost, who through faith asked him what they must do to be saved, Acts 2:38 (GW) All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. There are only a couple of cases where repentance would be uncalled for, and these would be infants and the mentally retarded. An infant who has not sinned has nothing of which to repent and is therefore not to be baptized. The same would be true for the mentally retarded. On the other hand, a person is not a proper subject for baptism if one is capable of knowing they have sinned, and refuse to repent.

10 Neither is one who has sinned and will not repent a proper subject for baptism. Paul clearly says in Romans 6:1-3 (GW) Should we continue to sin so that God's kindness will increase? 2 That's unthinkable! As far as sin is concerned, we have died. So how can we still live under sin's influence? 3 Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Scripture makes it clear that that baptism is a burial in water of one who has died to sin. This also make clear that before one can be scripturally baptiszed, he must have, through faith in Christ, and repentance from sin, died to sin. before he is to be buried with his Lord in baptism. The candidate for baptism must have repented of his sins. C. Though not specifically commanded, there seems to have been a public confession of Christ preceding baptism in the New Testament. This is indicated in the case of the Eunuch in Acts 8:37. Paul seems to imply this in Romans 10:10-11 (GW) By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved. 11 Scripture says, Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed. The New Testament teaches that the person to be baptized is to be a penitent believer in Christ as the Son of God, and makes that joyful confession of faith. IV. The Proper Purpose For Baptism The next logical question is, why should one be baptized? Of what value is it to the believer? In order to answer this, we need to find out what purpose Jesus gave to it. Different religious groups teach widely varying opinions regarding the purpose of baptism. One group says that baptism has nothing to do with a person's salvation. After he is saved he is baptized because he is saved.

11 They teach that it is utter irony to baptize a person in order that he may be saved in Other words, before he is saved. Another group teaches that baptism alone, if administered by the proper person, will save an individual. It is evident that both views can not be correct. It is possible that neither are. Christ gave the commandment for baptism. He alone is qualified to state the purpose. Jesus and the Apostles commanded baptism for these reasons: A. In Order to be Saved. Jesus declares Mark 16:16 (NASB) He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Jesus says that we are bapitzed in order to be saved. Peter repeats this thought when he tells how Noah and his family were saved during the flood by water: 1 Peter 3:20-22 (NASB) when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. B. For the Remission of Sins. When the 3,000 on Pentecost asked what they should do to be saved, Peter seeing their faith In Christ replied, Acts 2:38 (NASB) Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. When Peter gave the above instructions, he was speaking as an inspired Apostle and as God's spokesman, revealing to man God's requirements for salvation.

12 Peter's statement in Acts 2:38 came directly from the throne of God, When Peter said that baptism, coupled with faith and repentance, would obtain the remission of sins, one can not doubt it. C. For Washing Away Sin. When Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, He did not tell him what to do to be saved. When Paul asked what he should do, Jesus replied, Acts 22:10 (NASB) 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' When Ananias came he said to Saul Acts 22:16 (NASB) 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' Paul believed in Jesus when he saw Him on the road. He had spent three days in penitent prayer and yet his sins were still with him. Ananias told him that he lacked one thing. That was baptism. Baptism alone will not take away sin, bat Jesus and the Apostles clearly state that when it is preceded by faith in Christ and repentance of sin, that it does procure for the penitent believer God's forgiveness. D. Baptism Into Christ, Paul told the Romans 6:3-4 (NASB) do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. He told the Galatians 3:27 (NASB) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Baptism then is into Christ. This is a meaningful statement The New Testament teaches that redemption is in Christ, (Romans 3:24); there is no condemnation in Christ, (Romans 8:1); there is consolation in Christ (Phil. 2:1). The Bible also teaches that all will

13 be made alive in the resurrection morning m Christ, (1 Corinthians 15:22) and that if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). All these blessings are promised to those in Christ. The New Testament states that in order to get into Christ, that we must be baptized into Him. One can not be saved outside of Him! It is clear that salvation comes after, not before the act of baptism. It is also clear that baptism alone will not save a person. But the New Testament teaches that when a person who truly believes in Christ and genuinely repents of sin, he is then to be baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins. Professor F. F. Bruce is absolutely correct when he says, "The idea of an unbaptized Christian is simply not entertained in the New Testament." Matching: Review a. 1 Peter 3:21 d. Mark 16:16 g. Acts 22:16 b. Rom. 6:4 e. Acts 18:8 h. Acts2:38 c. Acts 8 :39 f. Matthew 3:16 i. Matthew 28:19 1. "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" 2. "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; 3. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 4. "we have been buried with Him through baptism" 5. "baptism now saves you." 6. "And when they came up out of the water." 7. "many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 8. "Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.

14 9. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Complete 1. Baptism is a symbol or picture of what? 2. Why is an infant not a proper subject for baptism? 3. List four (4) blessings promised to those in Christ a. b. c. d. The next section is a study guide for you and your family, divided into seven (7) daily lessons: LESSON 1 The Deity of Jesus Or Who is Jesus? Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18 Read the passage together. Talk about the meaning of what is said and done. Use the review questions below to aid your understanding of Who Jesus is. 1. What question did Jesus ask His followers first? 2. What answer did they give? 3. What was Jesus' second question?

15 4. Who answered the second question? 5. What was his answer? (Impress upon the family that these are the ten most important words a person can ever say.) 6. What would be built upon this fact of Who Jesus is? 7. Who would build the church? (Explain that the church refers to people not a building.) 8. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

16 LESSON 2 Jesus Death Or Why Did He Die? Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28; Matthew 27:22-38 Read the passages one at a time -- clarify using the questions below. 1. At the last supper, what did Jesus say about His body? 2. He said His blood would be shed for what reason? 3. What does remission or forgiveness of sins mean? 4. Did Jesus go willingly to Calvary? Why? 5. God has said that the one who sins shall die and that the penalty of sin is death. Who paid sins penalty for you? 6. Does this mean you won't die? What does it mean? 7. Whose sins caused Jesus to go to the cross? 8. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

17 LESSON 3 The Resurrection Or What happened the third day? Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20 Read together and clarify using the questions below. 1. What was done with the body of Jesus after He died? 2. What did the women find at the tomb? 3. What did the angel tell them about Jesus? 4. What did Jesus tell them to do? 5. What explanation did the Jewish leaders make up? 6. Did Jesus go see the disciples after He had been raised from the dead? 7. What did He tell them at the end? 8. What happened to Jesus? (read Acts 1:9-11) 9. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

18 LESSON 4 The First Conversions Or What happened on the Day of Pentecost? Scripture: Acts 2:1-47 Read together and clarify using the questions below. 1. Who was given power by the Holy Spirit? 2. What was the message that Peter preached? 3. What happened to make it clear that Jesus was God's Son? 4. What did the man say when they heard Peter's sermon? 5. What did Peter tell them to do? 6. What did they do? How many? 7. What happened to their sins? 8. What did they do after they were baptized? 9. Did they spread the message to anyone else? How? 10. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

19 LESSON 5 The Ethiopian Converted Or What did he do to become a Christian? Scripture: Acts 8:26-41 Read together and clarify using the questions below. 1. Who helped this man learn about Jesus? 2. What passage in the Old Testament was the man reading? 3. What did the Ethiopian want Philip to do to help him? 4. Whom did Philip preach from this passage? 5. Who did he say this Scripture was talking about? (Read Isaiah 53) 6. What did the Ethiopian want to do? 7. What happened when Philip baptized him? 8. What did the Ethiopian do after he was baptized? 9. What did Philip do after he left the Ethiopian? 10. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

20 LESSON 6 The Conversion of Paul Or What happened on the road? Scripture: Acts 9:1-22 Read together and clarify using the questions below. 1. What was Saul's doing to the disciples of Jesus? 2. Why did he go to the synagogue? 3. Where did he want to go and why? 4. What happened to him on the way to Damascus? 5. Who talked to him and what did this person tell him? 6. Where did He tell Saul to go and who did he say would tell him what to do? 7. What was he told to do after his blindness left and what did he do? 8. How did his life change after he was baptized? 9. What did he begin to preach and to prove after his conversion? 10. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

21 LESSON 7 The Meaning of the Lord's Supper Or Why do we drink of the cup and the Loaf? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 Read together - Clarify using the review questions below. 1. Do you remember what Jesus told His disciples about His body and His blood during their last supper on earth together? (Review Lesson 2 if you have forgotten) 2. Did they remember to do as Jesus had told them? 3. Of what does the grape juice remind us? 4. Of what does the bread or cracker remind us? 5. What are we saying by our actions when we do this each Sunday? 6. What should we be thinking about during communion? 7. What should we do during the communion time? 8. How will partaking of the Lord's Supper help us follow Jesus? 9. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT IN THIS LESSON?

22 Conditions of Salvation Or How shall I respond to Jesus to receive salvation? Look up each Scripture below and write down what each says a person did or was told to do to obey the Gospel. 1. Mark 16:15,16 2. John 3: Acts 16: Acts 3: Matthew 10:32,33 6. Romans 10:9-13

23 7. Acts 2: Acts 22:16 9. Is it possible to know for sure we are saved? (1 John 5:11-13)

24 1. Jesus Christ is Son. A Brief Review: 2. Jesus on the cross for sins. 3. On the third day after He died Jesus from the grave. 4. Those who follow Jesus by faith through believing and obeying are of their sins and are given the gift of the. 5. We should remember to be faithful to God by continuing in four elements of service/worship. What are they?