1. 1 W ATER B APTISM Who is to be Baptized? Eph. 4:5; Matt. 28:19

2. 2 Who is to be baptized? Nobody? Nobody? Everybody? Everybody? Babies? Babies? Christians? Christians? Lost? Lost? Saved? Saved? 1 John 2:3-5

3. 3 Those to whom the gospel is sent Those to whom the gospel is sent Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15; Ac 2:21, 37-38, 41 Those who hear and believe gospel preaching, Romans 10:13- 15 Those who hear and believe gospel preaching, Romans 10:13- 15 Who should be baptized?

4. 4 Prerequisites of Baptism One who has heard gospel (taught) – Matt. 28:19 (Acts 8:30-31, 35-36) One who has heard gospel (taught) – Matt. 28:19 (Acts 8:30-31, 35-36) One who believes – Jno. 8:24; 20:30- 31; Acts 8:36-37 One who believes – Jno. 8:24; 20:30- 31; Acts 8:36-37 One who has confessed faith – Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 One who has confessed faith – Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 One who is repentant – Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9 One who is repentant – Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9

5. 5 Moral & Spiritual Condition of Person to be Baptized Capacity to be taught & believe – Matt. 28:19 Capacity to be taught & believe – Matt. 28:19 Lost in sin – Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 Lost in sin – Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 Morally responsible & accountable – Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Ths. 1:8 Morally responsible & accountable – Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Ths. 1:8

6. 6 Water baptism is not for infants and small children

7. 7 No New Testament authority No New Testament authority  Adults, Acts 8:12 (3)  Children, Matt. 14:21; 15:38; 19:14; Acts 21:5 Not in Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3 Not in Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3 Baptism is not for Babies

8. 8 Not in New Testament “There is no express precept or rule given in the New Testament for the baptism of infants.” (Bishop Burnet, Anglican) “Among all the persons that are recorded as baptized by the apostles, there is no express mention of any infant. There is no express mention of any children baptized by them.” (Wall, History of Infant Baptism )

9. 9 Not in New Testament “It can not be proved by the sacred Scriptures that infant baptism was instituted by Christ, or begun by the first Christians after the apostles.” Martin Luther, cited in Gospel Plan of Salvation, Brents, 315

10. 10 No New Testament authority No New Testament authority  Adults, Acts 8:12 (3)  Children, Matt. 14:21; 15:38; 19:14; Acts 21:5 Not in Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3 Not in Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:3 Children have no sin, Matt. 18:3, 19:14 Children have no sin, Matt. 18:3, 19:14

11. 11 Hereditary Depravity Hereditary Depravity “As for infant Baptism, we hold that children should be baptized, for they, too, are included in the promise of redemption which Christ made…” ( The Smalcald Articles, THE BOOK OF CONCORD, 311) Why do people “baptize” babies?

12. 12 Dedicate / Enter Church Dedicate / Enter Church “The pastor of the church shall…furnish the parents or guardians of the child who is baptized with a certificate of Baptism, which shall also clearly state that the child is now enrolled as a preparatory member of The United Methodist Church.” ( Methodist Discipline, par. 222, p. 116) Why do people “baptize” babies?

13. 13 Water baptism is not for Christians (already saved)

14. 14 Why Some Baptize the “Saved” “Baptism is to be administered to those, and to those only, who have exercised and professed a saving faith in Christ…” “Baptism is to be administered to those, and to those only, who have exercised and professed a saving faith in Christ…” ( Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, 86) Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16 Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16

15. 15 Why Some Baptize the “Saved” “The spiritual change of the new birth constitutes Christian fellowship; but to secure church fellowship, that change must be confessed in baptism.” “The spiritual change of the new birth constitutes Christian fellowship; but to secure church fellowship, that change must be confessed in baptism.” ( Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, 39) John 3:5; Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:4-6 John 3:5; Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:4-6

16. 16 Why Some Baptize the “Saved” “Baptism may not be essential to salvation, but it is essential to obedience.” “Baptism may not be essential to salvation, but it is essential to obedience.” ( Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, 87) Acts 10:48; Hebrews 5:9 Acts 10:48; Hebrews 5:9

17. 17 Baptism is… For believers who confess their faith and repent of their sins, Acts 18:8 For forgiveness of sins & fellowship with God, Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27 For the person who wants to become a Christian and be saved from their sins, Acts 2:38