1. What does the bible teach ?
Baptism
Studies In The Scriptures

2. Introduction
One of the most controversial topics in religion today is concerning “baptism”
God’s Word is truth (Jn 17.17); our appeal is to the divine!
In this lesson, we will look at an overview of baptism as found in the Bible covering
Various baptisms mentioned in the Bible
Some assertions about baptism taught today
The true “mode” of baptism
Proper subjects for baptism today
The God-given purpose of water baptism today
What hinders a person from being baptized?

3. Several Baptisms Baptism of Moses – I Corinthians 10:1-5
Baptism of Holy Spirit – Mt. 3:11
Baptism of Fire – Mt. 3:11
John the Baptist’s baptism – Mt. 3:1-7
Baptism of the Great Commission – Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16; Acts 19; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:26,27; Rom. 6:1-4

4. Assertions taught today
Some teach that infants should be baptized
Others teach only responsible people should be baptized
Some teach sprinkling and pouring and immersion are all baptism
Others teach baptism is immersion only
Some teach baptism is not required by God
Others teach baptism is only for the saved/Christians
Others teach baptism is for the remission of sins/puts one into Christ
The Bible cannot teach ALL the above, for many are conflicting and contradicting (i.e. opposing teachings)

5. What is “baptism”? Bible dictionaries Greek lexicons
Define words used at the time of their being used by Christ and inspired writers
Do NOT define words in NT by modern dictionaries alone!
Words change meanings over time; don’t want to put modern meaning if it changes God’s meaning

6. What is “baptism”? Vine’s Expository Dictionary Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
“Much water there” - inference
“Went down into water” – inference
Compare with Rom. 6.3,4 and Col. 2.12

7. Romans 6:1-4
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 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.” 
- NKJV

8. Colossians 2:11,12
“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, 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.” 
- NKJV

9. What is “baptism”? Baptism is immersion! Vine’s Expository Dictionary
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
“Much water there” - inference
“Went down into water” – inference
Compare with Rom. 6.3,4 and Col. 2.12
Baptism is immersion!

10. “But, I’ve already Been Baptized!”
Acts 19 – baptism in the name of Jesus
Folks who have been baptized before “might” need to be baptized again in order to be baptized as God would want
Even folks who had been baptized by John the Baptist’s baptism in Acts 19 needed to be baptized “again” in order to be right with God
Various reasons for baptism today; “might” need to be baptized again?

11. Who should be baptized? Let the Word of God answer!
Acts = the book of conversions
Acts 2 – believers willing to repent
Acts 8 – believers willing to confess
Acts 22 – believers needing sins removed
Rom 6:1-17 – desire to obey form of doctrine
Col. 2:12 – desire to be buried with Christ
Gal. 3:26,27 – to become child of God

12. Mark 16:15,16
“And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
- NKJV

13. Acts 2:38
“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.”
- NKJV

14. Acts 2:47
“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
- NKJV

15. Acts 8:35-38
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 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?" 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." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” 
- NKJV

16. Acts 22:16
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”  NKJV

17. Galatians 3:26,27
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  NKJV

18. Purposes of Baptism To obey God’s command For the remission of sins
To put one into Christ
To wash away sins
To become a new creature
To demonstrate love for God
To bury old man of sin
To rise with Christ
To enter the kingdom of God
To allow God to add you to the saved/church

19. Hindrances to baptism Ignorance of God’s Word
Incorrect understanding on the topic
“I’ve already been baptized” (various)
Waiting for a “convenient season”
Ashamed of the gospel of Christ
Not willing to “sell all for Christ”
Procrastination

20. Prerequsites to baptism
Hearing the Word of God
Belief in the Word of God
Faith that begins to work through love
Repentance of sins
Confessing Jesus is Son of God
Understanding what baptism is “for”

21. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- NKJV

22. Acts 8:35-38
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 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?" 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." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” 
- NKJV

23. Prerequsites to baptism
Hearing the Word of God
Belief in the Word of God
Faith that begins to work through love
Repentance of sins
Confessing Jesus is Son of God
Understanding what baptism is “for”

24. Conclusion…
Believers willing to repent of sins and confess Christ as the Son of God can be baptized “for the remission of sins” today
We only have Bible Authority to teach what God’s Word says on the topic
Becoming a Christian today is just according to the same pattern/form of doctrine as in the New Testament
Do you need to be baptized?