The Good News

The word "gospel" is an old English word meaning "good news". The message Jesus preached was good news. The same message was preached by the apostles. That same good news is the only true message of the Christian Church.

Study 6. Christian Baptism

What is baptism? Why do Christians practise baptism? Does believer’s baptism do anything for the person baptised? These are some of the questions asked about this subject which we examine in this study.

1. What is Baptism? Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer into the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19-20). It is carried out by someone acting "in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ". The Greek word translated "baptism" in our Bibles is "baptizo".It means to immerse, to plunge or to dip. Look up the following verses and write down the words or phrases which imply that the person baptised had gone down into the water.

Matt 3:16.

Acts 8:38-39

If a few drops of water had been sufficient there would have been no need to have gone down into the water.

2. Why Do Christians Practise Baptism?

Look up Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 3:21-22. What happened to Jesus?

Should we follow His example? (1 Peter 2:21)

What did Jesus say Baptism is in Matt 3:13-15?

What does this mean?

Is baptism a command or an option? (See Matt 28:19-20; Acts 10:48)

How important is obedience? (Luke 6:46; John 14:15-24; Acts 5:32)

So what is the second reason why Christians practise baptism?

The third reason is that baptism is part of the process of conversion. What three stages does Peter mention in Acts 2:38-39?

1.

2.

3.

See also Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 19:5.

The fourth reason for baptism is that it is a sign of entrance into the church. See Acts 2:41. What word is used of those baptised to describe their "joining the church"?

3. What Does Baptism Mean?

1. It symbolises union with Christ. You are united to Christ in His death and burial. See Gal 3:27.

2. What picture is used in Col 2:12 and Rom 6:1-5?

So baptism is a pictorial representation of the fact that you have ________ with Christ, have been __________ with Him, and are now _____________ to a new life in Him.

3. If you believe and are baptised what does Mark 16:15-16 say will happen?

NB. We tend to use the words "saved" and "salvation" rather loosely. Strictly speaking: God’s salvation includes all that He does for us from beginning to end. The word "saved" varies in its reference according to the context.

Look up Titus 3:5. Does the word "saved" in that verse refer to the past, present, or the future?

What about 1 Cor 1:18 and Acts 2:47?

and Romans 5:9-10?

Now back to Mark 16:15-16. What do you think we are saved from here? (Look up Acts 2:40; 1 Peter 3:20-21 and 1 John 2:15-17 for clues.)

4. Does Baptism Do Anyhting For The Person Baptised?

The mere act of plunging a person into water does not accomplish anything of itself apart from getting them wet! But baptism is more than just immersing a person in water.

1. It is immersion of a believer in water, and faith can do mighty things. Look up Luke 18:41-42. What did Jesus ask the blind man in verse 41?

What did he tell him in verse 42? (See also Matt 9:2,22,29; 15:28; 17:20; 21:21 etc)

2. Baptism is also an act of obedience and obedience to the Lord always brings blessing. What does 1 Sam 15:22 say about obedience?

What happens to those who obey God? (Acts 5:32)

3. It is baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus (as though He were doing it Himself) and into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so that the person baptised is publically declared to be "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:1-3) What does Paul, in Gal 3:27 say that we do in Baptism?

What do you think this means?

After the initial "quickening" of the spirit of man by the Holy Spirit he turns to God in repentance for sins, confession of sins and turning away from sin. He accepts the finished work of Christ on the Cross and experiences the forgiveness of God and enters into a right relationship with Him. The believer has thus been cleansed through the blood of Jesus. Compare John 1:29 with Isiah 53:4-7 and Acts 8:27ff. This is an inward experience. Being born again is only the beginning of life in Christ. It is only the entrance into the Kingdom (John 3:3-5). The words "born again" themselves imply a beginning and a continuing. Salvation is a process which has now begun.

Part of salvation is being saved from this present evil age (Gal 1:4; Acts 2:40). When the crowd asked Peter on the day of Pentecost "What must we do to be saved?" his answer contained three parts: (1) Repent (faith is implied as they would not truly repent unless they believed his message. cf Acts 2:41; 16:30-31). (2) Be baptised in water. (3) Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

These three experiences form the foundation of the Christian life. Because of his experience of the new birth, the believer is instructed to take two other steps: be baptised in water and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Exercise:
Look up Col 1:13; 1 John 5:19; Rom 6:1-6; Col 2:12 and write down notes on being transferred from one kingdom to the other. (cf. Gal 1:4 with Heb 6:5)
Why should a Christian be baptised in water? Put down as many reasons as you can remember.