The 5 B’s of Baptism

There is much confusion about baptism. Many do not believe that a person must be baptized to be saved from his sons. Others say baptism is necessary for salvation. Some say sprinkling or pouring are acceptable forms of baptism. Others say only immersion in water is acceptable. There is only one way to settle the confusion about baptism. We must go to the New Testament, which is the law for all men today. What does the Bible tell us about baptism? Its teaching is clear on this subject. Let us notice the five “B’s” of Bible baptism.

First, baptism is a BURIAL. Notice the apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 6:3-4: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were 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.” Paul states clearly that baptism is a burial. To bury something is to cover it completely. Sprinkling or pouring will not substitute for the burial which baptism demands. In fact, the word “baptism” itself means “to immense, dip, plunge.” Bible baptism is a burial.

Second, baptism is for BELIEVERS. Bible baptism is for those who can show they believe in Jesus, the Son of God. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” No where in the New Testament will one find a person baptized who was not able to express his belief in Christ. In Acts 8:12 we read, “But when they believed Philip as preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” Notice that “both men and women” were baptized, not little children. Why? Because baptism is for believers, not babies. Babies are born innocent. They are not guilty of the sins of their parents, as some teach (Ezekiel 18:20). Jesus used little children as examples of humility, and said we must become like them to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5). Would Jesus use sinful children as examples of what we must become to be pleasing to God? Certainly not!

Third, baptism is BEFORE the forgiveness of sins. Jesus made this clear in His statement, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus said belief AND baptism bring salvation. He did not say belief brings salvation, and then one is baptized. One cannot be saved without baptism. In Acts 22:16, Saul of Tarsus, a man who believed in Christ, repented, and confessed Jesus as Lord, still had to be baptized to wash away his sins. Thereis not a single instance in the New Testament where anyone was said to be saved until he was baptized. Baptism comes BEFORE forgiveness.

Fourth, baptism is the BIRTH of the Christian. It is the beginning of the Christians’s life. In John 3:5, Jesus told a man named Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” To be born of water and the Spirit involves being baptized in water in obedience to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. How does the Spirit teach us? He does so through the Word of God. In the New Testament we learn of the importance of being baptized in water. So it is the Spirit who teaches us to be baptized as we read His Word. This is what the apostle Paul meant in I Corinthians 12:13. “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.” Paul says all must be baptized into the body of Christ, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). It is by the teaching of the Spirit through the Word that we learn of our need to do this. Then, we must “drink into one Spirit,” which means we are to continue to study the Word which the Holy Spirit has given – the New Testament. We must grow in our knowledge of God’s Word, and we must remain faithful in the one church (Revelation 2:10).

The final “B” is that Bible baptism is where the BLOOD of Christ is applied to cleanse us from our sins. Can a person be saved from his sins without the blood of Christ? No! But only in baptism is the blood applied from Heaven to take away our sins. The blood of Jesus was shed in His death. The soldier pierced the side of the slain Savior of the world, and “...immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). Then, in Romans 6:3-4, Paul speaks of being buried in the “likeness” of Christ’s death through baptism. The blood that was shed in Christ’s death is reached only in the likeness of His death – baptism. In Revelation 1:4-5, John says Jesus washed us from sins in His blood. When does that washing take place? It is the washing of baptism. Remember what Ananias said to Saul of Tarsus: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” When we look at Acts 22:16 and Revelation 1:4-5, we conclude that in baptism the blood of Jesus is applied to wash away our sins.

We should never forget the five “B’s of baptism. They remind us of what the Bible teaches about this very important subject. The Bible says baptism is a BURIAL. It is for BELIEVERS, those who can express their belief in Christ. It comes BEFORE forgiveness of sins. It is the BIRTH of the Christian, and it is where the precious BLOOD of Jesus is applied to wash away our sins. Have you received BIBLE baptism?

Author Unknown

REPENTANCE AND RESTITUTION

Repentance means a change of mind. It is a change of mind that results in a change in behavior. Repentance is the result of godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow is the quality being so grieved by the wrongs committed in the past that there is a determination to turn away from those kinds of actions combined with a determination to do only that which is right in the eyes of God. This sorrow (godly sorrow) is not the sorrow of being caught, but sorrow that is characterized by a broken, contrite heart. Jude tells us that such a one hates even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23). Repentance was described by Jonah when it was said that the Ninevites “turned from their evil way” (Jonah 3:10). When Jesus spoke of the same situation, He stated that they “repented at the preaching of Jonah” (Matthew 12:39-41).

All sin is against God and must be forgiven by God. King David recognized that though his sins involved others those sins were against God. He exclaimed, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). God is not obligated to forgive. Forgiveness is the result of God’s mercy and grace. Forgiveness is through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Paul in that passage also referred to the “riches” of God’s grace. God’s grace is sufficient to forgive all of the sins of all of mankind. There is no inadequacy in the blood of Christ. No matter how awful our sin is, no matter how many those sins are we can be forgiven by God. If we are alien sinners (not Christians), we must do those things that God requires in order to receive the remission (forgiveness) of our sins. We must obey the Gospel to be saved from our sins. That Gospel stipulates that we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of man (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5), confess our faith in Christ before men (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized by the authority of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). If we are already members of the church, we must follow God’s second plan of pardon to be forgiven. We must repent of our sins (Acts 8:22) and confess those sins to God in prayer (I John 1:9; Acts 8:22). The blood of Jesus can thus cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In either case (alien sinner, fallen child of God), the common act required for forgiveness is repentance. It is, therefore, imperative that we understand what is meant by repentance and all that is involved in this act.

Repentance involves restitution. Restitution is restoring to another that which we have unjustly taken in our sins. If we have deprived others of some material thing, then we must restore to that person the thing taken or the value of that thing. If that cannot be done then reasonable satisfaction must be given. If what is taken is intangible, then every effort must be made to remove the effects of the wrong. In simple terms this means that if we have stolen an automobile we must return it if we have repented. We cannot keep riding around in the car if we have genuinely repented. I believe we all have the ability to understand this. This illustration has been used effectively many times. It clearly illustrates the idea of restitution involved in repentance.

If emotions were not so heavily involved in other similar situations, I believe we could see the parallel and apply this idea of restitution consistently with success. But, when “marriage” is the sin, many do not see as clearly as they would otherwise. If a person is in an unscriptural marriage (a “marriage” not authorized by God), then many want to suggest that a person can repent without giving up that which is not rightfully his or hers. Repentance requires restitution where possible. Baptism, in the case of the alien sinner becoming a Christian, does not sanctify an unscriptural relationship. The sin of adultery can be forgiven, but only when repentance occurs which means turning away from the practice of adultery. A person cannot continue in the sinful practice and have God’s approval or forgiveness. A person must stop the practice of whatever sin in order to be forgiven.

Perhaps this additional illustration will help. Suppose a practicing homosexual learned the Truth and wanted forgiveness. It is impossible to have that forgiveness and have a right relationship with God while continuing to practice homosexuality. That sinful practice must stop if forgiveness is to obtained! Baptism will not sanctify such a relationship that is sinful no more than baptism will sanctify an adulterous relationship. If forgiveness is to be obtained, then the sinful practice must stop. That is part of what repentance requires!

Lester Kamp

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

“And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, ASV).

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

1. The word church comes from “ekklesia” which means the called out (Thayer).
2. It is the body of Christ (Colossians. 1:18).
3. It is the family of God (I Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19).
4. It is the kingdom of God and Christ (Ephesians 5:5).
5. It is the pillar and ground at the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).

WHAT IS IT CALLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

1. My (the Lord’s) church (Mat 16:18).
2. The church (Acts 8:1).       
3. The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).
4. The church of God (I Corinthians 1:1, 2)
5. The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16).
6. The body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
7. The church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23).

WHAT ARE THE MEMBERS CALLED?

1. Disciples (Acts 20:7).
2. Saints (I Corinthians 1:2).
3. Beloved of God (Romans 1:7).
4. Brethren (Col.ossians1:2).
5. Sons of God (Romans 8:14).
6. Children of God (I John 3:1).
7. Heirs of God (Romans 8:17).
8. Royal Priesthood (I Peter 2:9).
9. Christians (Acts 11:26, 1 Peter 4:16).

Are You Wearing These Scriptural Names Only?

WHEN WAS THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED?

1. In the last days in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4).
2. In the days of these Kings (Daniel 2:44).
3. It was “at hand” in John’s day (Matthew 3:1-2).
4. The disciples prayed for its coming (Matthew 6:9-10).
5. Christ said: “I will build” it (Matthew 16:18).
6. It was to come during the lifetime of some of the disciples
7. (Mark 9:1).
8. The disciples had not entered it [before the death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ and Acts 2] (Matthew 18:3).
9. Just before his death Christ said: “The kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:18).
10. The kingdom was to come with power (Mark 9:1). The power was to come when the Spirit came (Acts 1:8).
11. All of these requirements were fulfilled on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-4).

HOW CAN ONE ENTER THE CHURCH?

1. Hear the gospel of Christ (Romans10:13-17).
2. Believe in Christ (Acts 16:31).
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30).
4. Confess faith in Christ (Romans 10:8-10).
5. Be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3). Thus, one is born into the family of God (John 3:5).

WHAT CONSTITUTES BAPTISM?

1. Water (Matthew 3:11).
2. Much water (John 3:23).
3. Going down into the water (Acts 8:38).
4. A burial and a resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).
5. Coming up out of the water (Acts 8:39; Matthew 3:16).

 Are You A Member of New Testament Church?

WHERE IS SALVATION?

1. Salvation is in Christ’s church, because it is the blood bought institution (Acts 20: 28; I Corinthians 6:20).
2. Salvation is in the church, for Paul affirmed that Christ would save the church (Ephesians 5:23). No promise to those outside.
3. Salvation is in the church, for it is there that man is reconciled unto God (Ephesians 2:16). Man must be reconciled to God.
4. Salvation is in the church, because that is the group that Christ will present unto Himself. (Ephesians 5:27)
5. Man cannot be saved out of the church, because God adds all the saved to it (Acts 2:47). The requirements of salvation and church membership are the same.
6. The church is the family of God and certainly one cannot be saved out of God’s family (I Timothy 3:15). To say that God has children out of His family would be to charge Him with spiritual adultery.
7. Take the children of Israel as a type: (I Corinthians 10:2-6).

• Crossing the Red Sea was a type of baptism (I Corinthians 10:2).
• Israel in the wilderness was a type of the church (Acts 7:38).
• Crossing the Jordan River was a type of death.
• The land of Canaan was a type of heaven.
• They had to pass through the wilderness [a time of proving Deuteronomy 8:1-3] (church) to get into Canaan (heaven).
• Therefore, we must pass through the church to enter heaven at last.

 Are You Seeking Salvation in the Right Place?

WHAT IS IN CHRIST – THE CHURCH?

1. Forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
2. Salvation (II Timothy 2:10).
3. Redemption (Colossians 1:14).
4. The grace of God (II Timothy 2:1).
5. All the promises of God (II Corinthians 1:20).
6. All spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

Can one be saved without these blessings? They are all in Him, His body, the church. (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18) How then does one get into Christ where these blessings can be enjoyed (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27)?

(above adapted by John Rose from a tract)

One Baptism: a Mark That Matters

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One Baptism

Baptized ... into Christ, into his death, into the church, and for the remission of sins

Forgiveness - Without Repentance?

Children of God should love all men, even their enemies, and when they repent, forgive them. Occasionally, I am asked if it is our duty to forgive those who sin against us when they neither ask for nor desire forgiveness. It is not only not our duty to do so, were we so disposed, but it is an utter impossibility.

The question recurs because many people persist in disregarding what the Scriptures teach is involved in genuine repentance and by substituting their concept of what they feel forgiveness should include. Those who do this imply, whether they intend to or not, that forgiveness is simply the cancellation of all bitter, revengeful, and uncharitable feelings toward those who sin against us, and the substitution of a disposition of kindness, love, and warm regard for the offending one or ones—a disposition, they urge, which should always be characteristic of faithful Christians.

But many devoted and dedicated disciples of the Lord never experience bitter, revengeful, and uncharitable feelings toward those who sin against them, however cruel and heartless such actions may have been. This attitude of a kind disposition is not forgiveness, anyway. God never entertains “bitter, revengeful, and uncharitable” feelings toward even the most vile of sinners, but He forgives only those who repent.

Our Lord, in the shadows of Gethsemane, prayed for those who hated Him so much they sought and obtained His execution, but He did not forgive them until they repented. Amid the agonies of the cross, He said to His Father, “forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), a petition not unconditional in nature, since by His own words first uttered in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16) and later applied by Peter it was intent that pardon be bestowed only on the basis of repentance and obedience to the commandments He gave (Acts 2:36-38).

The words remission and forgiveness often translate to the same Greek word aphesis, the meaning of which is “release,” and “sending of sins away” and the consequent restoration of the peaceful, cordial, and friendly relationship formerly existing. Unless the offender wants this “peaceful, cordial, friendly” relationship, it is impossible for the offended to affect it, however much he may desire and seek it.

It is this point people often say, “Yes, but we must be ready to forgive always,” as indeed we ought, but it should be recognized that such readiness is not forgiveness. Our Lord made crystal clear our obligation in all such cases when He said, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times … turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). Thus, the divine edict is, if one sins against us, we are to rebuke him; and when he repents, we are to forgive him.

It is the duty of all children of God to love all men, even their enemies, actively to seek their good, and pray for their well-being; and, when they repent, to forgive them. It should ever be borne in mind that reconciliation is an integral and essential element of the relationship resulting from penitence on the part of the offender and forgiveness on the offended, and that is occasioned by an adjustment and settlement of all differences that led to the alienation. We must be sure that no action or attitude of ours deters the proper response of others to us because our fellowship here on Earth and our salvation in Heaven are matters intimately involved.

Guy N. Woods

The Great Commission

The Limited Commission 

Matthew 10:5-6: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

In the foregoing Jesus circumscribed the preaching of the apostles. They were not allowed to preach to the Gentiles nor to the Samaritans. They were commanded to preach to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” only. For this reason, this is called “the Limited Commission.”  

After His resurrection Jesus gave what is called “the Great Commission,” the World-Wide Commission, the Last Commission to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. 

The Great Commission 

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the  end of the world. Amen.” 

Mark 16:15-16: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” 

Luke 24:46-49: “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

From these three records of the Great Commission, it is learned that the following items are mentioned: (1) Preaching; (2)  Believing; (3) Repentance; (4) Baptism; (5) Salvation (the forgiveness of sins). 

There has been much disputing as to the orders in which these items should come: i.e., do people “believe” before they “repent,” or does “repentance” come before “faith?” Does salvation come before baptism, or must one be baptized to be saved? 

With all the disputing about the order in which the acts must come, there is agreement that the Commission mentioned Preaching, Repentance, Baptism, and Salvation (the forgiveness of sins). 

The Great Commission Was Executed 

The apostles began work under this commission on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. They were guided by the Holy Spirit in their work. The history of their preaching and the obedience rendered to their preaching is recorded in the book of  Acts. The record as found in this book will certainly give us the Divine interpretation of the Great Commission. Notice the conversions mentioned in the following passages, just what occurred, and you will find that it is in perfect harmony with the Commission. Also, it will be learned in what order the items mentioned came.

• Acts 2:14-38: (1) Preaching, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism, (4) Remission  of Sins.
• Acts 8:5-12: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 8:26-38: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 10 and Acts 11: (1) Preaching, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 16:14-15: (1) Preaching,  (2) Baptism. 
• Acts 16:25-33: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 18:8: (1) Hearing, (2) Believed, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 19:1-5: (1)  Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism. 
• Acts 22:12-16: (1) Preaching, (2) Baptism, (3) Wash Away Sins.   

– Adapted from C.R. Nichol’s Pocket Bible Encyclopedia

Automatic Forgiveness

No one, as long as he is clothed with this body of flesh, will be immune to fleshly desires. Even Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1ff; Hebrews 2:18), but like Him the Christian can be so committed to God that he will be adamantly determined not to give in to such desires. Indeed, this is what Christ expects him to do (Matthew 16:24). He may sin in a moment of weakness, but sin will not be the rule of his life (cf. Romans 7:21ff). On the contrary, the rule is that he does not sin; the exception to the rule is that occasionally he does, but his determination to walk with God will cause him to quickly repent of his weakness and sin and ask for forgiveness. It is because he has such an attitude of submission, and such a determined commitment, that Jesus’ blood is said to continually cleanse him of his sins (I John 1:7-10). 

No one should assume, however, that such cleansing will automatically continue if he refuses to repent, no matter how trivial and insignificant the sin may seem to be. The commission of even one sin, for which one will not or does not repent, will result in his alienation from God (James 2:10). 

Simon is an inspired example of this (Acts 8:9-24). Although some claim he was never a believer, Luke clearly says that he was (Acts 8:13) and that he was baptized just as the other Samaritans were. Simon sinned by lusting for, and trying to purchase, the power of imparting miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18-19). Peter, in rebuking him, named the sin he had committed: “Thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money” (Acts 8:20). 

He charged that Simon’s heart was “not right before God” (Acts 8:21) and that he was “in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:23). Although Simon was a Christian, who can doubt that he was cut off from God’s favor at that moment and fallen from grace? Yet, Peter told him to repent of his wickedness and pray to the Lord “if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). It would appear that Simon believed what Peter told him, for he asked the apostle to pray for him (Acts 8:24). 

Since Peter told Simon that he would “perish” in his present condition (Acts 8:20), it is ludicrous to think that Jesus’ blood was cleansing him of his sin before he repented. On the other hand, if he obeyed Peter’s command, there is every reason to believe that Jesus’ blood did continue to cleanse him after his repentance and prayer. Since God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), He likewise expects repentance and prayer from Christians today whenever awareness of sin takes place—if they expect the blood of Christ to continue cleansing them.  

Al Brown