Vineyard Labourer Bible College

Study 8

BAPTISM

Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptised in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we are buried in the likeness of Christ's death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ. Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. Baptism is by total immersion in water and follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD

1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel? 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." Mark 16:15, 16.

2. What did the Apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost? 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 2:38.

3. In reply to his enquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian gaoler told to do? Acts 16:31.

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31.

4. What followed immediately after the gaoler and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour? Acts 16:33.

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Acts 16:33.

5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away? Acts 22:16. (See also Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.)

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16.

6. By what means are sins washed away? Revelation 1:5.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5.

7. Into whose name are believers to be baptised? 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:" Matthew 28:19.

8. When believers are baptised into Christ, whom do they put on? Galatians 3:27.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27.

9. Into what experience are those baptised who are baptised into Christ? Romans 6:3.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Romans 6:3.

Note: Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptised has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and this is immersion - the mode followed by Christ and the early Church.

10. How is such a baptism described? 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." Romans 6:4.

11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection? Romans 6:5.

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Romans 6:5.

Note: We are to be totally united with Christ.

12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection? Romans 6:8.

"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" Romans 6:8.

13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism? Colossians 2:12.

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:12.

14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers? Matthew 3:13.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." Matthew 3:13.

15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus? Matthew 3:16, 17.

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16, 17.

16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptised? 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 2:38.

17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him? Acts 8:36.

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Acts 8:36.

18. In order to baptise the eunuch, where did Philip take him? Acts 8:38.

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 8:38.

19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify of their faith in the preaching of Philip? Acts 8:12.

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12.

20. What instruction did the Apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed? Acts 10:47, 48.

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:47, 48.

21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptised into Christ? 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13.

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13.

22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do? Colossians 3:1.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1.

Many churches today baptise babies. But according to the Bible after accepting the teachings of Jesus Christ, we must repent before we can be baptised. As a baby can not do either of these thing they cannot be baptised into Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came to this earth as an example for us. As He was baptised so we should be baptised. If you have not been baptised by immersion (totally under water) when you were at an age when you could repent and accept the teaching of Jesus Christ, or if you would like to be rebaptised, please contact us using the email address on the mail page.

Commitment:- I have accepted Jesus Christ into my life as my personal Saviour and have/or want to acknowledge so publicly by baptism.