Is there any indication of the volume of water or method of baptism from these passages?

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1 1 Baptism Let s not ask the question: Is baptism necessary for salvation according to the teachings of TLCC? Rather let s seek to ask & answer this question: What does the Bible say happens in, at, through, with baptism? What appears to be required before baptism? Matt 3:4-6 5 People went out to him (John the Baptist) from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. NIV Is there any indication of the volume of water or method of baptism from these passages? Matt 3: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. NIV Acts 8: As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. NIV Does Scripture seem to indicate any symbolism that requires immersion rather than sprinkling or pouring? Rom 6:4 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV Col 2:12 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. NIV What does Scripture say we do when we are baptized? Gal 3: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV

2 2 Why was sprinkling ever initiated? Sprinkling was in the early centuries exclusively reserved for sick and infirm persons. There is evidence to show that those who received the rite in this form were somewhat despised; for the nicknames clinici and grabatorii were, unworthily Cyprian declares, bestowed on them by neighbors. The question was even raised in the middle of the 3rd century, whether this baptism by sprinkling was a valid baptism and Cyprian was asked for his opinion on the matter. His answer is contained in his lxxvth epistle. There he contends that the ordinance administered this way is perfectly valid, and quotes in support of his opinion various Old Testament texts which assert the purifying effects of water sprinkled (Ezek 36:25, 26; Nu 8:5-7; 19:8, 9, 12, 13). (To disregard clear New Testament teaching to patch together a theology from Old Testament passages for the sake of convenience is at best risky and in my estimation VERY dangerous. Nadab and Abihu considered such attention to detail to be frivolous at one point also. Lev 10:1-2) The strongest arguments against the baptizing of infants lie first in the fact that it is no where taught or indicated in Scripture. Secondly, the pre-conditions of repentance and faith must be exercised by individuals; each one for himself and for herself. Infants are incapable either of repentance or of faith of this kind. Matt 3:4-6 5 People went out to him (John the Baptist) from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. NIV What do the following Scriptures say about baptism, those that were being baptized? Matt 3: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. NIV Matt 28: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV

3 3 Mark 1:4-5 4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. NIV Mark 16:16 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. NIV Acts 2: Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. NIV Acts 8:12 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. NIV Acts 8: As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. NIV Acts 10: The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name NIV

4 4 Acts 16: One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. NIV Acts 16:33 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. NIV Acts 18:8 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. NIV Acts 22:16 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' NIV Rom 6:4 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV Gal 3: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV Eph 4:3-6 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and In all. NIV Col 2:12 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. NIV

5 5 1 Peter 3:21 1 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, NIV What Scriptures are used to support infant baptism? 1 Corinthians 1:16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) Acts 16:33 - And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Psalm 51:3-5 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Paul s promise to the Philippian jailer, that salvation would come to his whole house if he believed in Jesus, was no different from what Peter told three thousand adult converts at Pentecost. The promise of the Holy Spirit, Peter said, was for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself (Acts 2:39). These converts had just been called by the Lord into fellowship with himself, and many other adults (then far off ) would be called in the future, but the children of these converts formed a third category: they were called into fellowship with Christ together with their parents (or even merely one parent: see 1 Cor. 7:14). Such is the grace of God to the children of believers! We can only infer that the children of the first Christian converts were baptized, brought up in the Christian faith (see Eph. 6:1 4; Col. 3:20 21), and, whenever it pleased the Lord, given the Holy Spirit promised to them. Scriptures used to suggest an age of accountability. Accountability is not a term explicitly found in Scripture. Rather it is an implicit and abstract concept that is regarded as biblical. This is concluded because of the many references to the various judgments and because of passages like Acts 17: The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

6 6 and Romans 14:12. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. But when does this accountability begin? Again, since the primary issue seems to be response to the revelation God has given, personal accountability would vary and depend on one s ability to understand the most fundamental issues. In some, this might be very young, while in others it might be much older. 1 Sam. 3:6,7 And the LORD called again, Samuel! and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. But he said, I did not call, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Matt. 18:3-4 Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 19:13-15 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14but Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. 15And he laid his hands on them and went away. John 16:8-9. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God s wrath remains on him. (NIV)