Why is Baptism Controversial? n The reason there is controversy is because of a wide variety of teaching and practice. Again this is not because of the word of God. (1 Cor 1:10)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n The scriptures indicate that we can know and stand upon the one baptism as we can upon the one true God! (Eph 4:4-6)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n One reason men differ on this is because of a philosophy that teaches we do not need to stand upon the scriptures. These people generally do not believe in the inspiration of the scriptures. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n This lesson is directed at those who believe the Bible is the word of God.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Because of our common belief in the inspiration of the scriptures it is possible for us to know and stand upon God’s will. (John 17:20-21)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (John 17:20-21 NKJV) “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; {21} “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Throughout history men have needed to fight human traditions which powerfully hold men. Many have a long history of practice. (Col 2:8; 1 Pet 1:18)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (Colossians 2:8 NKJV) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (1 Peter 1:18 NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Why is Baptism Controversial? n On a personal basis you and I must put away our pride and admit when we are wrong. This will involve a willingness to even begin a study that will challenge long held beliefs. (Jas 1:23-25)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (James 1:23-25 NKJV) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; {24} for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. {25} But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Please feel free to express you disagreements and open your Bible with me for further study. We can stand upon the truth together! (John 8:32)

Why is Baptism Controversial? n (John 8:32 NKJV) “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Why is Baptism Controversial? n We will consider three areas of problems with denomination baptism.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Some personal questions before we examine the scriptures.

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Some personal questions before we examine the scriptures. n When were you saved by the blood of Christ?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Some personal questions before we examine the scriptures. n When were you saved by the blood of Christ? n How old were you?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Some personal questions before we examine the scriptures. n When were you saved by the blood of Christ? n How old were you? n How long after your salvation were you baptized?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n Some personal questions before we examine the scriptures. n When were you saved by the blood of Christ? n How old were you? n How long after your salvation were you baptized? n For what purpose were you baptized?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n How long after your request to be baptized were you actually baptized?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n How long after your request to be baptized were you actually baptized? n What did you confess before you were baptized?

Why is Baptism Controversial? n How long after your request to be baptized were you actually baptized? n What did you confess before you were baptized? n How were you baptized? That is was it sprinkling, pouring of immersion in water?

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Before one can be baptized one must:

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Before one can be baptized one must: n Have heard the word of the Lord. (Acts 16:31-33)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Acts 16:31-33 NKJV) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” {32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. {33} And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Have believed in Jesus as the Son of God. (Mark 16:15-16)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Mark 16:15-16 NKJV) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Have repented of their sins. (Acts 2:38)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Have confessed with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. (Rom 10:9-10)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n If even one of these steps are left out the one being baptized has gotten wet. He has yet to receive scriptural baptism.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Inspired men were selective concerning who they baptized. (Acts 8:36-38)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Acts 8:36-38 NKJV) Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” {37} Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n {38} So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n This would mean that infants could not be baptized.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n This would mean that infants could not be baptized. n This also would mean that young children could not be baptized.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n This would mean that infants could not be baptized. n This also would mean that young children could not be baptized. n Those who can be baptized must have reached an “age of accountability”. (Rom 7:9)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n (Romans 7:9 NKJV) I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Were you a proper subject when you were baptized?

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n Were you a proper subject when you were baptized? n I have often found those who later admitted that they did not know what they were doing.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n What did you confess? Often denominational churches ignore this area.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong subject. n What did you confess? Often denominational churches ignore this area. n Do you have any doubts? Make it sure.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n Baptism is a burial in water. (Col 2:12; Rom 6:4)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n (Romans 6:4 NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n (Colossians 2:12 NKJV) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n This involved men going into and coming up out of the water. (Acts 8:38-39)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n (Acts 8:38-39 NKJV) So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. {39} Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n John the Baptist went where there was “much water”. (John 3:23)

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n (John 3:23 NKJV) Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n Baptism by definition means to immerse.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n Baptism by definition means to immerse. n Baptizmo means to immerse or overwhelm.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n Baptism by definition means to immerse. n Baptizmo means to immerse or overwhelm. n Look up the word yourself! Also check out other translations.

Denominational Baptism often has the wrong action. n Baptism by definition means to immerse. n Baptizmo means to immerse or overwhelm. n Look up the word yourself! Also check out other translations. n Have you received this baptism?

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Baptism is for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n What if we changed the purpose of the Lord’s supper and made it into a memorial for a man? (1 Cor 11:24-25)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (1 Corinthians 11:24-25 NKJV) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” {25} In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Paul understood the purpose of Baptism. (Acts 22:16; Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 12:13)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Acts 22:16 NKJV) ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Romans 6:4 NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (1 Corinthians 12:13 NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Can baptism be acceptable if one believes they are saved first and then baptized?

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Can baptism be acceptable if one believes they are saved first and then baptized? n There are Bible examples of those who were immersed for the wrong reason and then later scripturally baptized. (Acts 19:1-6)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Acts 19:1-6 NKJV) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples {2} he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n {3} And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” {4} Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” {5} When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n {6} And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Why would Paul expect these men to have a knowledge of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:38)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Did sincerity make their Baptism acceptable?

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Things that indicate a baptism for another reason.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Things that indicate a baptism for another reason. n When you are asked to confess that: “God for Christ’s sake has forgiven me of my sins.”

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Things that indicate a baptism for another reason. n When you are asked to confess that: “God for Christ’s sake has forgiven me of my sins.” n When those who baptize you wait for several days.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n When you cannot remember the reason.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n When you cannot remember the reason. n When you are baptized to become a member of a denominational body.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Will you make your salvation sure?

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n Will you make your salvation sure? n Salvation is found in Christ and His death. Are you forgiven? How do you know? (Col 2:11-13)

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n (Colossians 2:11-13 NKJV) In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, {12} buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n {13} And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

Denominational Baptism almost always has the wrong purpose n You will only receive the one baptism once in a lifetime. Never have a doubt about where you stand before God.