“Bible Baptism” Involves Note: By “Bible Baptism” we have in mind the baptism of the Great Commission, Matthew 28: It involves: -The Right Understanding. -The Right “Mode.” -The Right Purpose. -And is followed by the right Results.

The Right Understanding – All Acceptable Obedience involves this: Matthew 13:23: “But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit…” Illustrate this principle with the Lord’s Supper, I Corinthians 11:24, All true obedience is from the heart, Romans 6:17-18; the heart includes the mind, intellect, will, and emotions. Matthew 13:15; Rom. 10:9; 2 Cor. 9:7; Matthew 22:37.

The Right Understanding on What Baptism is Not! It is not! A Church ordinance. The outward sign of an inward grace.” –Note Book, “What Baptists Believe and Why they Believe it, by J.G. Bow. “Baptists believe that no one is a scriptural subject for baptism till he is already saved.” Water Salvation. Cf. 2 Kings 5: Salvation by works. Luke 17:10

“Bible Baptism” involves an Under- standing of what Baptism Cannot Do! It Cannot Change the heart. The heart is changed by faith, Acts 15:9. It Cannot change the conduct. Conduct is changed by repentance, Acts 11:18. It Cannot change your life physically, or domestically. Remove temptation. Matthew 3:13-4:11 Guarantee Eternal Salvation. Philippians 2:12; 3:13-15; I Cor. 9:27

“Bible Baptism” involves Understanding Concerning Who is Doing the Work! “Faith only” advocates love to quote: –John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that her gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” –Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

But Who is Doing the Work? Col. 2:11-13 V. 11. “In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. V. 12. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation (“working,” NKJV) of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. V. 13. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (“made alive,” NKJV) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”

Observation from the Preceding Verses: The person being baptized is exercising “faith in the working of God,” v. 12. Effort is involved in obtaining faith, Romans 10:17. The person being baptized is being acted upon! God is doing the work. Saved people are the “workmanship of God,” Ephesians 2:10.

“Bible Baptism” Involves the Right “Mode.” Baptism, from baptisma, consists “of the processes of submersion, and emergence,” Vine. Baptize, from baptizo, means “to dip, was used among the Greeks to signify the dying of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another,” ibid.

The “Mode” is that of a Burial! Romans 6:4. “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life.” Colossians 2:12. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead.”

“A Word Picture” – Acts 8: V. 35. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. V. 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? V. 37. “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. V. 38. “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. V. 39. “And when they were come up out of the water

“Bible Baptism” involves an Understanding of the Purpose of Baptism It is Designed to save the sinner! Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Which is right: –( ) “He who believes (and is) baptized shall be saved.” –( ) “He who believes (and is not) baptized shall be saved.”

Note the Contrast: Jesus, in Mark 16:16 says: “Believe + Baptized = Saved. Universalist says “Not Believe + Not Baptized = Saved. Atheist says: “Believe + Baptized = Not Saved. Infant Baptism says: Not Believe + Baptized = Saved. Faith Only says: Believe + Not Baptized = Saved. However, the Universalist, Atheist, the believer in infant baptism, and the Faith only Advocate will not judge us in the last day. Jesus will! John 12:48.

The Purpose – Provide “The Remission of Sins.” 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.” “For the remission of sins” (eis aphesin harmation). Many say “eis” (“for) means “because of.” Yet no reputable Greek scholar has so translated it! Note Matthew 26:28: “For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (eis aphesin harmation). Did Jesus shed His blood “because of” the fact that our sins were already forgiven??

The Purpose – Put the Sinner into Contact with the Blood of Christ! Romans 6:3-4. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. 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.” Jesus shed His blood in His death, John 19: Jesus blood is what saves, Ephesians 1:7. Through baptism one contacts the death of Christ. I John 5:8: “There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and these three agree in one.”

The Purpose – Grant one Entrance into Christ. Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:10: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Note: Through baptism one enters Christ!

The Purpose – Grant One Entrance Into the One Body I Corinthians 12:13: “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.” Reconciliation is in the One Body, Ephesians 2:16. Jesus is “the Savior of the body,” Ephesians 5:23.

“Bible Baptism” is “the Answer of a Good Conscience toward God.” I Peter 3:21: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience before God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Can one be saved without “a good conscience?” Note: Peter said “baptism doth also now save us;” yet many says “baptism does not save and has nothing to do with salvation!

“Bible Baptism” is Designed to Produce the Right Results! Note: In addition to the truths already set forth regarding “the purpose of baptism,” Baptism must be followed by: Regularity in worship, Acts 2: Walking in newness of life, Rom. 6:3-4. One seeking the things above, Col. 3:1-2. Faithfulness unto death, Revelation 2:10.

Conclusion: Question: In view of what is accomplished in “Bible Baptism,” what is the condition of the person who has not been baptized – and what is the condition of one who was baptized but who did not have the correct understanding of the real purpose of baptism?