BAPTISM Baptism Requires Water: "I indeed baptize you with water:" (Matthew 3:11) Sprinkling requires water. Much water: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." (John 3:23) "Much water" is not necessary for sprinkling. Go to water: 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? (Acts 8:36) In sprinkling they usually bring the water--don't go to it. Go into water: And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38) In sprinkling they don't go "down into the water." Burial: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12) In sprinkling there is not a "burial." Raised: 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. (Romans 6:4) No being "raised" where sprinkling is practiced. Come out of the water: And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39) Such is not the case where sprinkling is practiced. Administrator Handles the Subject: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19) Where people have water sprinkled on them the administrator handles the element, not the subject. 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.- Rom 6:4 WHY BE BAPTIZED? Christ commanded it: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19) Believe, Baptized, Saved: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16) Repent, Be Baptized, Remission of Sins: 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. (Acts 2:38) Commanded: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48) Be Baptized, Wash Away Sins: And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16) Baptized Into Christ: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3) In Christ We Are New Creatures: Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) If we are in Christ we are "new creatures" We are baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:27) Redemption in Christ: In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14) Baptized Into Christ: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) Note-(1)Redemption is in Christ (2)We are "baptized into Christ." Baptism Saves: The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us When Baptism and Salvation are Mentioned in the Same Passage, Salvation is Always Mentioned After Baptism: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4) Baptism For Remission of Sins: And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3) Baptized, Saved: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16) Baptism, Remission of Sins: 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. (Acts 2:38) Baptized, Wash Away Sins: And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16) Baptized, Sins: Baptism doth also now save us. (1 Peter 3:21) IN CHRIST If in Christ -- New Creature: Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Redemption in Christ: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:13,14) Promises Are in Christ: For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Baptized Into Christ: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3) Baptized Into Christ: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) Note -- In Christ we are "new creatures,""redemption" is "in Christ." We are "baptized into Christ" where the "redemption" is -- where we are "new creatures." WHO WERE BAPTIZED --- WERE INFANTS? Confessed Sins: And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:5) Do infants "confess sins"? Made and Baptized Disciples: When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (John 4:1) Are infants "disciples"? Teach and Baptize: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19) Do you "teach" infants? Received Word -- Baptized: Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41) Do infants "receive his word gladly"? Repent and Be Baptized" 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. (Acts 2:38) Do infants "repent"? Men and Women: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12) Not an infant in that number! Believed -- Baptized: And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38) No infants there. Saul of Tarsus: And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. (Acts 9:18) Cornelius: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48) Lydia and Her Household: And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:15) Were there infants in that household? Let's see: And they went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of] Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. (Acts 16:40) Were Paul and Silas "comforting" infants? Heard, Believed and Were Baptized: And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8) Not an infant in that number. Twelve Men at Ephesus: Acts 19:8 Answer of a Good Conscience: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 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 toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:19-21) How can an unconscious infant have a "good conscience"? In all the cases of baptism mentioned in the word of God there is not the mention of an infant. BAPTISM I have cited the above scriptures to show: 1. What baptism requires. 2. Why be baptized. 3. Who were baptized -- were infants. There is no controversy over "immersion" of a proper subject, being baptism. Comment on that point is not necessary. The above scriptures are sufficient for all who are willing to accept the Bible. Is "sprinkling or pouring water on a proper subject baptism?" As baptizing is something done -- an act preformed, if "sprinkle", "pour" and "immerse", as distinct acts, all are baptizing, then we have three distinct acts that are equal to the same thing--or same act--baptize. "Sprinkle" is not "pour", nor is "pour" sprinkle, and neither of these acts are equivalent to the act "immerse". If the act of "sprinkle" is equal to the act "baptize", and the act "pour" differs from the act "sprinkle", could the act "pour" be equal to the act "baptize"? Since the act "immerse" differs from both the act "sprinkle" and "pour", can the act "immerse" equal "baptize" too? If "immersing" is baptism, and all say it is; since "sprinkling" or "pouring" water on a person, differs from the act "immerse", how in the name of reason can one call it by the same name? "Immersion" is baptism; but "sprinkling" or "pouring" water on a person differs from the act of "immerse" and therefore cannot be the same thing! The advocates of "sprinkling" and "pouring" for baptism refer to the sprinklings under the law of Moses, and declare they were baptisms. The word "sprinkle" was never used by an inspired man to convey the idea of baptizing. Many teach otherwise, hence the necessity of showing the fallacy of such a contention. Paul preached and baptized people. He says:"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11,12) Hear him again: "I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." (Acts 22:3) NOTE: Paul was taught the law by Gamaliel -- a man; but he says:"The gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Though he was taught the "law" by Gamaliel, the gospel which he preached was not taught him by man. As Paul knew the law, being taught it by Galaliel, but did not know the Gospel till it was revealed to him by Christ, it follows that the "law" is not the gospel, nor can the sprinklings of the law be the "baptism" that Paul preached, nor can the "baptism" he preached be the sprinklings of the law. "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified." Rom.3:20 If you take "sprinkling" for baptism, you take a deed of the law, and God says you cannot be justified by such. Not only so, but Moses would be the author of you baptism, and your baptism would be neither "grace" nor "truth", for the "law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Jno.1:17. "Grace and truth" came by Christ, as contrasted with the law which came by Moses. The thing Paul preached were revealed to him "by the Spirit". 1Cor.2:10-13. he did not preach till some years after Christ went to glory. It follows then that it was after Christ ascended that the baptism Paul preached was revealed to him. But Paul had been aquainted with the law and the sprinklings of the law all his life. nIt follows, by all force of logic and scripture, that the baptism Paul preached was not the sprinklings of the law. Would you have additional proof? Here it is: Paul preached "the faith which once he destroyed" Gal 1:23. But Paul preached the gospel. 1 Cor.15:1. It follows then that to preach "the faith" is to preach "the gospel". Concluding this thought: Paul says: "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed." Col.3:23 Remember, Paul says the gospel he preached was revealed unto him after the law. If "sprinkling" was baptism, it was revealed in the law, and hence could not have been since the law. It follows then: the baptism of the gospel is different from anything in the law. Briefly: What is Baptism For? Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: 2 Cor.5:17. Again: That they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ." 2 Tim.2:10. You must be "in Christ" to be a "new creature." "Salvation" is "in Christ." The word of God says:"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal.3:27). Salvation is in Christ; we are baptized into Christ where we receive salvation. Is baptism a command of the gospel? If you say "no"; then since a man cannot get into a church without baptism, it follows that the gospel of Christ will not put a man into a church. As the gospel is "the power of God", if baptism is no part of "the power of God", and as you get into the church by baptism, you do not get into the church by "the power of God". If man gets into the church by the power of God, and comes in by baptism, then baptism belongs to the power of God. Again: If you are saved without baptism, you are saved without the power of God, for baptism is in the gospel, and the gospel is the power of God. CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE. Those who teach that baptism is not a condition of salvation often contend that Paul was not sent to baptize, because of the following passage: Christ Sent me Not to Baptize: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17) It is a fact that Paul baptized some people, for he declared,"I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius;...I baptized also the household of Stephanus." (1 Corinthians 1:14-16) Will anyone contend that when Paul baptized these people he did something he was not sent to do? When Christ gave the Great Commission he certainly commanded that believers be baptized. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them." If Paul labored under the same commission as the other apostles, he was commanded to baptize the believers. Paul Was Faithful: I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7) Since Paul was faithful, it must follow that when he baptized believers, Crispus, Gaius and others, he was doing what the Lord commanded. Believe Not on Me: Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. (John 12:44) Do you believe on Jesus? Certainly you do. But Jesus says,"He that believeth on me, believeth not on me." Surely everyone understands that the passage is elliptical, and to supply the ellipsis it reads: He that believeth on me, believeth not on me [only], but [also] on him that sent me. Everyone knows this to be true. One cannot believe on Jesus without believing on God. Sent Me Not to Baptize: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: (1 Corinthians 1:17 But Paul did baptize, and too, he was faithful. This passage must be elliptical, and if we were to supply the ellipsis, it will read: Christ sent me not to baptize [only], but [also] to preach the gospel. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me [only], but [also] on him that sent me. (John 12:44) For Christ sent me not to baptize [only], but [also] to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17) And, too, anyone could baptize, but only an inspired man could preach (reveal) the gospel, then. Paul reached Corinth before his helpers (Silas and Timothy).(See Acts 18:1-5). As the family of Stephanus was the first fruits (converts) in Corinth (1 Corinthinans 16:15), it is evident those who Paul baptized were converted before his helpers arrived. With Paul baptism was so important he did not neglect it; hence, in the absence of his helpers, he administered the baptism himself. When all circumstances are considered, we see the importance Paul attached to baptism. Because some were calling themselves after the name of men, Paul was glad that circumstances had not made it necessary for him to baptize others. He inquires: "Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" He by this teaches that no one has the right to wear the name of one into whose name they have not been baptized. You have no right to wear the name of Christ till you have been baptized into his name. All the Corinthians that believed were baptized. Acts 18:8 WATER For Water God. The Flood. Gen.7. Red Sea. Ex.14. Christ. Born of water. Jno.3. Baptized. Matt.3. Heaven. Baptism of John. Matt.21:25. River of Life. Rev.22:1 John. Much water. Jno.3:23 In Jordan. Matt.3:6 Peter. Who can forbid water? Acts 10:48 Against Water. The Devil. Defeats: Pharaoh. Ex.14 Swine. Matt.8:32 Evil Spirits. Walks through dry places. Matt.12:43 Hell. Quenches fire. Lk.16 Dry country There are people today that are opposed to water when it comes to matters that pertain to religion. On which side are you? Note: This file was copied from the `Nichols's Pocket Encyclopedia' Written and copywrite by C.R.Nichols *1949* Downloaded from: The Christian Connection of Palm Beach 300/1200/2400 bps 407/533/5216