Baptism 1872 Fundamental #4 1
Baptism an ordinance instituted by Christ (Matt. 13:13 15), and designed to be observed in the church till he come (Matt. 28:19, 20). The words baptize and baptism are simply Greek words transferred into the English language. This was necessarily done by the translators of the Scriptures, for no literal translation could properly express all that is implied in them. (From Easton s Bible Dictionary). 2
baptizō (baptize is the verb, baptism is the noun) Matt 3:11, 13 baptō (dip, dipped) Luke 16:24; Revelation 19:13 Báptō means to dip in or under, to dye, to immerse, to sink, to drown, to bathe, to wash, and in the New Testament it is always used in a literal sense. The New Testament uses the Greek word baptízō when this dipping or immersing is done and a symbolic or ceremonial meaning is attached Mark 7:4) 3
Baptizō to employ water in a religious ceremony designed to symbolize purification and initiation on the basis of repentance to baptize, baptism. (Louw-Nida) 4
The mode of baptism cannot be determined from the Greek word alone. Baptists say that it means to dip, and nothing else. That is an incorrect view of the meaning of the word. It means both (1) to dip a thing into an element or liquid, and (2) to put an element or liquid over or on it. Nothing as to the mode of baptism can be concluded from the word itself. (From Easton s Bible Dictionary) 5
Acts 8:36 39 Matthew 3:16 6
Baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 19:4) Baptism of suffering (Matt 20:22) Baptism of the Spirit (Matt 3:11; John 1:33) Baptism into death; raised to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3, 4) Baptism of fire Matt 3:11 Baptism for the dead 1 Cor 15:29 7
Baptism of repentance Many had come to him to receive the baptism of repentance, confessing their sins and crimes... an ordinance implying guilt, virtually confessing, by the symbol of baptism, pollution to be washed away. (2SP 58.2) 8
Baptism of suffering Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, Christ declared before Him a cross instead of a throne, two malefactors His companions at His right hand and at His left. James and John were to be sharers with their Master in suffering the one, destined to swiftcoming death by the sword; the other, longest of all the disciples to follow his Master in labor and reproach and persecution. (AA 542) 9
Baptism of the Spirit The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should... pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give. (AA 50) 10
Baptism of fire The fact that there is only one Greek article governing the two nouns, Spirit and fire indicates that only one baptism is in view and the addition of and fire further defines the character of the Messiah s baptism. Whereas water temporarily cleanses the outside, fire permanently purifies the whole. (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary) 11
Baptism of the dead What does it mean to be baptized for the dead? Some take this to mean proxy baptism, where a believer is baptized on behalf of a dead relative; but we find no such teaching in the New Testament. In the second century, there were some heretical groups that practiced vicarious baptism, but the church at large has never accepted the practice. To begin with, salvation is a personal matter that each must decide for himself; and, second, nobody needs to be baptized to be saved. The phrase probably means baptized to take the place of those who have died. In other words, if there is no resurrection, why bother to witness and win others to Christ? (Wiersbe, W.W., The Bible Exposition Commentary) 12
Baptism of the inward man Luke 11:37 39 Washed baptizō Ravening a strong desire to gain things, even if by violent means; a grasping, violent greed Wickedness an evil, wicked nature 13
The literal Greek seems to favor those things which are within, that is, within either the cup and the platter or within the Pharisees themselves. If so, Jesus is suggesting that generosity toward the poor is a better way of avoiding real defilement than the scrupulous ceremonial cleansing of the containers in which food is kept. (Paraphrased from SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 791) All things are clean unto you apparently means, You will be pure in the sight of God, and when this condition prevails nothing else need give you concern. (Ibid.) 14
Hebrews 6:2 the doctrine of baptisms The plural by itself does not mean specifically Christian baptism... but ablutions or immersions such as the mystery religions and the Jewish cultus required for initiates, proselytes, and worshippers in general (Moffatt). (See Hebrews 9:10) 15
1 Corinthians 12:13 All Jew or Gentile, bond or free Baptized baptizō the verb form refers to a definite past event for each of them when they put on the outward badge of service to Christ, the symbol of the inward changes already wrought in them by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:27; Rom 6:2ff) 16
Did Jesus baptize? 17
John 4:2 Matthew 3:11 18
Why was Jesus baptized? 19
Christ came not confessing his own sins; but guilt was imputed to him as the sinner s substitute. He came not to repent on his own account; but in behalf of the sinner. As man had transgressed the law of God, Christ was to fulfill every requirement of that law, and thus show perfect obedience. Lo, I come to do thy will, O God! Christ honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this act he identified himself with his people as their representative and head. As their substitute, he takes upon him their sins, numbering himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required to take, and doing the work the sinner must do. (2SP 59) 20
Baptism today The third angel s message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. (RH March 22, 1892, par. 13) 21
Today you are to give yourselves to God, that he may make of you vessels unto honor, and meet for his service. Today you are to give yourself to God, that you may be emptied of self, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, strife, everything that shall be dishonoring to God. Today you are to have your vessel purified that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Ibid.) 22
Paul was baptized Acts 9:18 Paul taught baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19:5, but Paul baptized few 1 Cor 1:14 17 Peter baptized in the name of the Lord Acts 10:48 23
Matthew 28:19 24
That Baptism is an ordinance of the Christian church, to follow faith and repentance, an ordinance by which we commemorate the resurrection of Christ, as by this act we show our faith in his burial and resurrection, and through that, of the resurrection of all the saints at the last day; and that no other mode fitly represents these facts than that which the Scriptures prescribe, namely, immersion. Rom 6:3 5; Col. 2:12 25
We die to sin and live a newness of life. 26
Baptism #15 By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30 33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1 6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.) 27
Christ came not confessing his own sins; but guilt was imputed to him as the sinner s substitute. He came not to repent on his own account; but in behalf of the sinner. As man had transgressed the law of God, Christ was to fulfill every requirement of that law, and thus show perfect obedience. Lo, I come to do thy will, O God! Christ honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this act he identified himself with his people as their representative and head. As their substitute, he takes upon him their sins, numbering himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required to take, and doing the work the sinner must do. (2SP 59) 28