YOUR BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT

by
STANLEY EDWIN ANDERSON,
A.B., B.D., Th.D.

BOGARD PRESS
Texarkana, Ark.-Tex.
412843

CONTENTS

FOREWORD by the Rev. Dr. F. Townley Lord, D.D.,
   D.Litt. . . . . . . . .   5

FOREWORD by the Rev. Dr. J. D. Grey, D.D., LL.D.   6

PREFACE . . . . . . . .   8

CONTENTS . . . . . . . .   11

Chapter One
HOW GOD EMPHASIZES BAPTISM . . .   15
   Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Emphasize
       Baptism . . . . . . .   16
   The Lord Jesus Christ Honoured Baptism . .   17
   The Apostles Emphasized Baptism . . .   19
   Baptism Signifies a Revolutionary Change . .   22
   Baptism Pictures the World's Greatest Miracle .   23
   Baptism Expresses the Christian Gospel . .   24
   Baptism Denotes Loyalty . . . . .   26
   Baptism Must Neither be Exaggerated Nor Ignored   27

Chapter Two
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST'S BAPTISM .   32
   Jesus Was Baptized to Fulfil All Righteousness .   32
   Jesus Was Baptized to Fulfil Old Testament Types
       of Righteousness . . . . . .   38
   Jesus Was Baptized as an Example of
       Righteousness . . . . . .   41

Chapter Three
GOD APPROVED THE FIRST BAPTIZER . .   46
   John's Title Was Divinely Given . . .   47
   John's Message Was Divinely Approved . .   49
   John's Baptism Was Divinely Endorsed . .   50
   John's Baptizing Primacy Is Divinely Attested .   51

11

12   CONTENTS

Chapter Four
SOME VALUES IN ONE'S BAPTISM . . .   55
   In Baptism One Obeys His Lord . . . .   55
   In Baptism One Represents His Conversion . .   58
   In Baptism One Expresses His Faith in Christ .   61
   In Baptism One Shows Christian Unity . .   64
   In Baptism One Ratifies the Ministry of the Spirit   65
   In Baptism One is Reminded of His Position . .   66

Chapter Five
EVANGELISTIC POWER IN BAPTISM . . .   70
   John the Baptist Combined Evangelism with
       Baptism . . . . . . .   70
   Jesus Coupled Evangelism with Baptism . .   73
   Peter Included Baptism in His Evangelism .   74
   Philip Employed Baptism in His Evangelism .   75
   We, Too, Can Preach Christ in Baptism . .   78

Chapter Six
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT . . . .   84
   Christ Promised to Baptize Believers in the Spirit   85
   Christ Baptized Believers in the Spirit at Pentecost   87
   Christ now Baptizes Believers in the Spirit at
       Conversion . . . . . . .   90
   Baptism in the Spirit is often Misunderstood .   93

Chapter Seven
SOME COMMON MISTAKES IN BAPTISM . .   98
   The Mistakes of Baptismal Regeneration . .   98
   The Mistakes of Infant Baptism . . . .   104
   The Mistakes in Modes of Baptism . . .   108
   The Mistakes in Linking Baptism with
       Circumcision . . . . . .   111
   Immersion and Sprinkling Contrasted . . .   113

CONTENTS   13

Chapter Eight
DISPUTED PASSAGES ON BAPTISM . . .   118
   What is the Baptism of Repentance? . . .   118
   Did Jesus Baptize Little Children? [no] . . .   120
   Texts on Non-Christian Baptism . . . .   122
   What is the Baptism of Suffering? . . .   123
   Does "born of water" in John 3:5 Mean
       Baptism? [no] . . . . . . .   125
   What is Baptism unto the Remission of Sins? .   129
   Is Baptism Ever to be Repeated? . . .   130
   Does Baptism Wash Away Sins? [no] . . . .   131
   What Does "baptized unto Moses" Mean? . .   132
   What Does "Baptism for the Dead" Mean? . .   133
   What Does "baptized into Christ" Mean? . .   135
   Did Peter Teach Baptismal Regeneration? [no] . .   135

Chapter Nine
INTERESTING FACTS ON BAPTISM . . .   139
   A Baptist is Challenged to A Four-Hour Debate .   140
   Some Historical Facts on Baptism . . .   151

Chapter Ten
BAPTISM AND CHURCH TRUTH . . . .   157
   The Organization of the Church . . . .   158
   The Origin of the Church . . . . .   165
   The Ordinances of the Church . . . .   169

BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . .   179

INDEX OF SCRIPTURE REFERENCES . .   186

APPENDIX A . . . . . . .   189

APPENDIX B . . . . . . . .   191

[ Christian Helps Ministry (USA) ] [ Christian Home Bible Course ]