The New Testament's Teaching Concerning Baptism

1. The New Testament's Teaching Concerning Baptism

2. Perhaps no subject is more maligned in the religious world than the subject of baptism It is practiced in some form by almost every group claiming to be a part of “Christianity” However, by the vast majority of these it is seen as unnecessary for salvation

3. In fact, most of these groups go to great lengths to make people understand that they do not hold baptism to be essential to salvation in any fashion The programs they produce and literature they publish testify to their disdain for the subject

4. “…an immersion in water, performed as a sign of the removal of sin…” (The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 83) “At length the idea came to prevail that baptism possessed saving virtue, and had power to purify and sanctify the soul, making its salvation more secure.” (The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 105)

5. “Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance [baptism], yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it….” (The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, pp. 123, 124) “The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment when it is administered….” (The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, p. 124)

6. “It is not the physical act of baptism that saves you….Our salvation is by faith alone, through Christ alone.” (“My Answer,” newspaper column by Billy Graham) “Baptism is a figure, a symbol, a picture of salvation. It does not save. It declares salvation….For if you put baptism in the plan of salvation you minimize the cross and salvation by grace….” (False Doctrines Answered, by John R. Rice, pp. 99, 101)

7. “Now, I will say, once for all, that all of the external rites and ordinances of the Church, in all ages, have only been signs or pictures of an inward, invisible grace….There is nothing in any or all of them that can cleanse a soul from sin. That must be done by the power of God’s grace alone.” (Bible Tools for Busy People, by John H. Nichols, p. 132)

8. “The Holy Ghost “shed forth” on the soul cleanses it from all sin, and takes it into spiritual relation to Christ; and “clean water” shed forth on the body in baptism takes us into visible relation to Christ, or into the visible Church.” (Bible Tools for Busy People, by John H. Nichols, p. 132)

9. “Baptism, then, is the outward expression of an inward salvation. Baptism follows salvation. Baptism is essential to obedience but not to salvation.” (The Truth About the Church of Christ, “Please Drown Me in the Baptistry!” by Hugh F. Pyle, p. 39)

10. “Believing that God has given you forgiveness of sins, and spiritual life through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, and that you are thus graciously prepared to receive Christian baptism, as declarative of your saving faith and covenant of obedience, you will now give avowals of your belief and purpose.” (Constitution of the Church of the Nazarene, “The Sacrament of Baptism,” p. 215)

11. “Baptism is the external seal of the new covenant of grace.” (Constitution of the Church of the Nazarene, “The Baptism of Infants,” p. 216)

12. However, man’s opinion about this matter makes no difference The critical question that must be asked is, “What does the Bible say about the subject?” Since the New Testament contains the word in some form some 80 times, it does have something to say on the subject

13. How Many Baptisms?

14. There are at least seven baptisms mentioned in the New Testament However, the New Testament also states “there is one baptism”

15. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians 4:4, 5 3

16. There are at least seven baptisms mentioned in the New Testament However, the New Testament also states “there is one baptism” What are these other six baptisms, and why does the Bible say there is one?

17. Baptism of John

18. Mentioned in several passages in the New Testament An immersion in water administered to Jews prior to the crucifixion of Jesus

19. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:8

20. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. John 1:25-27

21. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. John 3:22, 23

22. Mentioned in several passages in the New Testament An immersion in water administered to Jews prior to the crucifixion of Jesus It was preceded by repentance and confession of sins and was for the remission of sins

23. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5, 6

24. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. Mark 1:4, 5

25. It was a preparatory baptism in anticipation of the coming Christ and His kingdom

26. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Luke 3:3, 4

27. It was a preparatory baptism in anticipation of the coming Christ and His kingdom Those of that time who were not baptized in accordance with John’s baptism were not justified before God

28. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:29, 30

29. It was a preparatory baptism in anticipation of the coming Christ and His kingdom Those of that time who were not baptized in accordance with John’s baptism were not justified before God It was valid for only a short period of time

30. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:3-5

31. Baptism of John Baptism of Fire

32. Reference to the overwhelming punishment awaiting those who do not obey the gospel of Christ It, like baptism of the Holy Spirit, was to be (and it will be) administered by Christ, the Judge

33. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:11, 12

34. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. Luke 3:15-17

35. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:41, 46

36. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in

37. all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. II Thessalonians 1:7-10

38. Baptism of John Baptism of Fire Baptism of Suffering

39. Not actually called such in the New Testament, but a reference to the overwhelming suffering through which Jesus would go Jesus Himself referred to it as a “baptism”

40. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. Matthew 20;22, 23

41. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: Mark 10:38, 39

42. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Luke 12:50

43. Baptism of John Baptism of Fire Baptism of Suffering Baptism of the Holy Spirit

44. A promised baptism (overwhelming), like the baptism of fire, that would be accomplished only by Jesus

45. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:11, 12

46. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. Luke 3:15-17

47. A promised baptism (overwhelming), like the baptism of fire, that would be accomplished only by Jesus It was prophesied by Joel some 860 years before it occurred

48. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:28

49. A promised baptism (overwhelming), like the baptism of fire, that would be accomplished only by Jesus It was prophesied by Joel some 860 years before it occurred It was a promise fulfilled to the apostles on the day of Pentecost

50. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:16, 17