SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM

For
Preacher Silcox's N.T. Church Class

Compiled By
KL Paulson

January 4, 1993

"(13)Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of 
 him.  (14)But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, 
 and comest thou to me?  (15)And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to 
 be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.  Then he 
 suffered him.  (16)And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out 
 of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the 
 Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: (17)And lo a 
 voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well 
 pleased."                                                   (Matthew 3:13-17) 
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: 
 and my Father will love him, ...."                               (John 14:23) 
"...keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."    (I Corinthians 11:2b) 
"Let all things be done decently and in order."          (I Corinthians 14:40)

   The first step of obedience for a new born child of God should be the desire to follow in the footsteps of the Saviour who fulfilled figuratively all righteousness by being scripturally baptized. His Divine Example as quoted above from the Book of Matthew in the pure Word of God is sufficient for every saved man and woman, boy and girl.

Scriptural Baptism Is Important.

   All three persons of the Godhead believed it was important. God the Father sent John the Baptist to baptize, and He also voiced His approval when His only begotten Son was baptized. The Son of God walked from Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan River some 60 miles to be baptized by the only man who was authorized to baptize at that time. And the Holy Spirit accompanied John's New Testament baptism of Jesus. Since that day when Jesus was baptized almost 2,000 years ago, the Devil has attempted to change and corrupt our perfect model to follow in nearly every possible way.

The Requirements Of Scriptural Baptism.

   It must needs be executed according to the teaching of the Bible, if it is to be scriptural baptism. Anything else is NOT true baptism. There are four basic requirements that must be fulfilled, if we are to have scriptural baptism.
   1. A SCRIPTURAL CANDIDATE / SUBJECT -- A Child of God. A person must be alreadly born again, saved, before he can ever be baptized. Only those who have repented of their sins to God and placed all their faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour can be baptized. The displacement of Old Testament Jewish circumcision of male only children on the eighth day for New Testament baptism is simply an erroneous idea. The convincing evidence rests in the fact that all believers whether male or FEMALE, Jewish or GENTILE are now supposed to be baptized after a real change of the heart accomplished by the workings of the Holy Spirit and His Word. Baptism and circumcision are two separate and distinct concepts. As for the honest and sincere desire to do good by man or simply the physical birth of a human, these also are both irrelevant to the matter at hand. "...let God be true, but every man a liar;" (Romans 3:4).
   Scriptural baptism is believers' baptism. The lost are first to be taught, then baptized. "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). In Acts 2:41 they received the Word, then they were baptized. [The receiving of Jesus through believing His Word is what saves the lost from their sins. (John 1:12)]
   In Acts 8:12,36-37, they believed first, then they were baptized. "(12)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. (36)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? (37)And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Before Philip, the servant of God, would perform the ordinance of baptism he had to question the eunuch, the scriptural candidate, whether he professed to be saved.
   In Acts 10:43-44,47-48a they believed, received the Holy Spirit, and then they were finally baptized. "(43)To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (44)While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (47)Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48a)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (ONLY saved people receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)
   In Acts 16:14 we have recorded that Lydia's heart had been opened by the Lord unto salvation and that she attended unto the Word of God preached by Paul. In Verse 15 Lydia, the believer soon later to be judged faithful, is baptized.
   When the Philippian jailor asked, "(30)what must I do to be saved?" they said, "(31)Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:30-34). Paul did NOT tell him to be baptized in order to be saved. The jailor's baptism came later after his hearing, desiring, seeking and believing.
   If water baptism cleanses us from sin, or any sin, then what does the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us from? "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7b) "(11)But Christ...(12)by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (22)...and without shedding of blood is no remission. (26)...now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:11-12,22b,26) If the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, how then can water baptism do any better? See Hebrews 10:4. What happened to the sins of the people of Old Testament times when baptism did not exist? They were not all lost. Some too were SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF THE DEAR CRUCIFIED SON. "In whom we have redemption through his own blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:14).

   2. A SCRIPTURAL MODE/METHOD -- Immersion in water. Pouring and sprinkling are NOT scriptural modes, because they are lacking in the Bible. Complete immersion in water is the only scriptural mode of baptism. (cf. -- Ephesians 4:5; John 1:33) Jesus was immersed. "(9)And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. (10a)And straightway coming up out of the water," (Mark 1:9-10a). See Matthew 3:13,16. Jesus' coming up out of the water could not be true if He was sprinkled. Specifically, John the Baptist needed "much water" for baptism. (John 3:23) Sprinkling demands little water. In Acts 8:38b-39 we are taught again immersion for baptism. "(38b)and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (39)And when they were come up out of the water...." Baptism pictures a burial, and sprinkling cannot do this. (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12) The Greek word 'baptizo' or "baptism", means dip, immerse, or plunge. See Appendix A at the end of this paper. The Greek for sprinkling [rhantizo] and pouring [ekcheo] are never used in any relationship with baptism in the Bible.

   3. A SCRIPTURAL DESIGN/MOTIVE/PURPOSE -- To picture and symbolize certain great Bible truths. Baptism does NOT convert, regenerate, secure salvation, wash away sins, etc. Those false doctrines that make baptism necessary whether in whole or part for salvation, frustrate the baptism's scriptural design.
   In parts B and C below, I elaborate more completely on the design of scriptural baptism.

   4. A SCRIPTURAL ADMINISTRATOR/AUTHORITY -- By the authority of a New Testament Baptist church. For someone to perform an action of the government, he must be given authority to do so by that government. Scriptural baptism is regulated by the governmental laws of God. It must be carried out according to His Word. God appoints whom He would to administrate scriptural baptism, that is the Lord gives the authority to some one. The above alone strikes out any idea that baptism is simply a Christian ordinance or a Christian ministry that may be carried out by anyone at whim. If any one of the above requirements is not successfully fulfilled, then that baptism is NEITHER scriptural, NOR baptism at all.
   John the Baptist was the first to obtain the necessary scriptural authority to baptize from God. "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." (John 1:6 -- cf. John 1:33) Jesus and all twelve apostles were baptized by John's New Testament baptism. "(21)Wherefore of these men which have accompanied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, (22)Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." (Acts 1:21- 22) Jesus gave the Apostles, who made up the first church, the authority to baptize. He commissioned this same church to 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). Christ promised to be with the local church always unto the end. "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." (Matthew 28:20) He was speaking institutionally because all these apostles have been dead for approximately nineteen hundred years. On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls who received the Word were baptized, and added unto the local church. (Acts 2:41) The same body they had been added unto, was the one that had the authority to baptize them.
   Philip preached in Samaria and baptized the converts, because he was a member in good standing in the Jerusalem Church and got his authority from that church. (Acts 8:4-13,29-39) Peter preached in the house of Cornelius and the whole household believed and received the Holy Ghost. But Peter did not baptize them until he got approval of 6 saved and baptized brethren from the Jerusalem Church that were with him. "(47)Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48a)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (12a)And the spirit bade me to go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me," (Acts 10:47-48a; 11:12a). Paul could baptize while on his missionary trips because he was called by the Holy Ghost to this duty, but even then, he was sent out by the church at Antioch. "(1)Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, ..., and Saul. (2)As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3)And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (4)So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed..." (Acts 13:1-4).
   When Paul found certain disciples at Ephesus, whose baptism was not scriptural, he carefully instructed them biblically on salvation including the Holy Spirit's part in it. These believed his Gospel report, were saved, and then Paul gave them scriptural baptism. (Acts 19:1-7) When a person finds out that their baptism was not done in accordance with the Bible requirements, then they should immediately aim to be pleasing to the Lord by being scripturally baptized.

   A. The Lord Is PLEASED By Scriptural Baptism

   When Jesus was baptized, God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17b) When we follow the example of our Saviour, we most certainly please the Father. Scriptural baptism is obedience to the Scriptures. "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29b) "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized..." (Acts 2:41).
   Scriptural baptism is the aftereffects of winning souls, and therefore is pleasing to God. Until a soul is won to Christ, there can be NO baptism. This immersion in water places these saved people into the New Testament church. "...and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
   Scriptural baptism shows the growth of a church, both in numbers and in maturity. A church that is not baptizing newly redeemed people by Christ, has leveled off, and is disobedient to the Great Commission. The Commission has three parts: (1) "teach all nations," this is providing the Gospel to all of the lost. (2) "baptizing them[,]" that is those that profess to believe. (3) "Teaching them to observe all things[,]" this the local church is to continue doing after a person has been saved and baptized.

   Scriptural baptism pleases the Lord, because it acknowledges the authority of the local Church. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Baptism can only be executed by the authority of a New Testament church, and that authority comes directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. When He gave the Great Commission, He gave it to the local church, not to an individual. The Greek word for "power" in Matthew 28:18 ['exousia'], means authority. Mark 13:34 uses this same Greek word and it is translated "authority".
   Scriptural baptism assures the propagation of a church. Through baptism, the local church receives new life, new blood, and this guarantees its continued existence.

   B. The Gospel Is PICTURED And PROCLAIMED By Scriptural Baptism

   The reason for baptism is NOT to gain salvation or wash away literally any sin. Indeed, you cannot have scriptural baptism until the person to be baptized has been converted. If the candidate for baptism has not been converted when he enters the baptistry, he goes into the water a dry sinner, and comes up out of the water a wet sinner. In this case scriptural baptism did not happen.
   Baptism is a "figure", picture, symbol, and type of our salvation. A picture or figure is not the same as the real thing. A wise Bible college student does not buy the picture of a pizza, but he buys the five pound real pizza! The picture of the pizza is good, but what wise Bible college student would settle for the picture only.
   "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (I Peter 3:21).
   The above verse plainly tells us that baptism does NOT put away the filth of the flesh, that is SIN. It is only a "figure", picture, symbol, or type of that salvation. To argue that the figure or picture is the same as the real thing is foolish indeed. "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5:14) This Verse tells us that Adam was a figure of Christ. No one would argue that Adam was Christ. Adam was only a figure, or picture of Christ. Water baptism is the outward, public testimony of the believer's inward faith. The person is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus. Water baptism is his visible testimony of his faith and the salvation he was given in answer to that faith. If that 'inward faith' did not exist, then the baptism was not scriptural baptism; because an unsaved person cannot receive scriptural baptism.
   1. Scriptural baptism PICTURES and PROCLAIMS the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Apostle Paul absolutely says in I Corinthians 1:17 that water baptism and the Gospel are two different things. "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 none effect." Paul says later in the same book it is the Gospel by which we are saved. Therefore it follows that baptism does NOT save NOR has any part in our salvation for it is not part of the Gospel.

   The reality --> "(1)Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2)By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3)For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4)And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (I Corinthians 15:1-4).

   The shadow --> "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)

   2. Scriptural baptism PICTURES and PROCLAIMS the death of our old life to sin; the burial therein; and the resurrection to walk in newness of life.

   "(3)Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4)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 also walk in newness of life. (5)For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6)Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7)For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:3-7)

   Baptism separates you from your old life of sinful lusts and desires. It expresses a desire and commitment to walk in the Lord's ways.

   3. Scriptural baptism PICTURES and PROCLAIMS our faith in the Triune God. "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19b). The Father raised the Son; The Son raised Himself; The Holy Spirit raised the Son. The Jesus only folks are in error significantly.

   4. Scriptural baptism PICTURES and PROCLAIMS our already putting on Christ. "(26)For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27)For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27)

   C. The Local Church IS PROTECTED By Scriptural Baptism

   In several ways, scriptural baptism is a shield of protection to the church. Let us examine this standpoint.

Scriptural Baptism Protects The Church
From Doctrinal Error

   Scriptural baptism protects the church from the false doctrine of 'baptismal regeneration.' The Jews and Pagans, had for several generations, been taught to lay great stress on ceremonials. They had gradually become accustomed to look upon types as anti-types, shadows as real substances, and ceremonials themselves as real saving devices. In the 2nd century these man-made corruptions continued to be carried over, leading some of the churches to start teaching that baptism was surely necessary for one's salvation. In the 1st century Paul had dealt with those who errantly taught that you had to be circumcised and keep the law, to be saved. He repudiated that doctrine. (Acts 15:1-24) Even so, those preachers and churches who were sound in the faith, during the 2nd century, vigorously disavowed the baptismal regeneration invention. However, large numbers continued baptizing for the wrong purpose. This eventually led to the formation of the Roman Church.
   Scriptural baptism protects the church from the false doctrine of 'infant baptism.' Those who were teaching baptismal regeneration, decided that if baptism was so important, then the sooner it could take place, the better. This brought on infant baptism and the Padeobaptists (baby baptizers). At first the infants were immersed, for until this time immersion was the only mode of baptism known. (Still to this day, the Greek Catholics have kept the original Bible mode of immersion.)
   Scriptural baptism protects the church from the false mode of 'sprinkling' for baptism. Those 'irregular' churches who believed in 'baptismal regeneration and infant baptism,' changed the mode of baptism from immersion to pouring, and then later on to sprinkling. By the 4th century, Emperor Constantine had formed the Roman Church, and in 416 A.D., compulsory infant baptism was established by law. The Protestants who teach baptismal regeneration, infant baptism, and sprinkling, are merely following the example of the Roman Catholic Church enacted by their Pope in 593 A.D.
   The three major doctrinal errors mentioned above, violate the first three requirements for scriptural baptism. (1) Baptismal regeneration demands lost sinners to be baptized. Scriptural baptism requires the saved sinners ONLY to be baptized. (2) Sprinkling demands little water, while scriptural baptism requires "much water". (John 3:23) (3) Infant baptism demands little infants who are unable to hear and believe to be baptized, but scriptural baptism requires that believers ONLY to be baptized.

Scriptural Baptism Protects The Church
From Protestant Denominationalism

   Because Protestant denominations came out of the Roman Catholic Church, it is not startling that all of them vie for one or more of the above doctrinal errors. The Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Methodists all sprinkle infants, and all believe in some configuration of baptismal regeneration (sacrament). All other Protestants denominations are either divisions off of the Roman 'Universal' Church, or one of the above Protestant denominations, and/or accept the baptism of them.
   Baptists are not Protestants. They have existed in every century since John the Baptist. They have existed under different names such as: Christians, Montanists, Novatians, Donatists, Paulicians, Albigenses, Waldenses, Ana-Baptists and Baptists.
   True Baptists cannot accept the baptism of groups that are wrong on the matter of salvation. "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;" (Titus 3:10). This is one doctrine that is essential to the Christian faith. The Protestant denominations do teach baptismal regeneration, as the following notes from 'THE CHURCH THAT JESUS-BUILT,' by Roy Mason, clearly show:

   The Episcopal Catechism says: 'Baptism is that wherein I was made a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven.'
   The Presbyterian Confession reads: 'Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and a seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins....'
   The Methodist ritual reads as follows: 'Sanctify this water for his holy sacrament and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children.'
   The Methodist articles were based on those of the English Church [Episcopalian].... Concerning the articles of the English Church, to which he belonged, we find John Wesley writing as follows (Sermons, London, 1872, Vol. 2, sermon 45, p. 74): 'It is certain our church supposes that all who are baptised in their infancy are at the same time born again; and it is allowed that the whole office for the baptism of the infants proceeds on this supposition.'
   Again, let us examine the Lutheran view. This is expressed by the founder in the Augsburg Confession as follows: 'Concerning baptism, they teach that it is necessary to salvation... And condemn the Anabaptists, who hold...that infants can be saved without it.' (Neander, History of Christian Dogmas, Vol. 2, p. 693). (End of quote from Roy Mason, p. 63-64).

Scriptural Baptism Protects The Church
From Interdenominationalism

   While there are many different forms of Interdenominationalism and Nondenominationalism, biblical light has shown that none of these groups hold the line on the church's two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's supper. All of them, as far as I know, will accept people into their membership who have been immersed (regardless of who did the immersing), as long as the member is satisfied with his baptism. Sadly there is a growing number of Baptists, who take this position. Such apostate Baptists should take down their sign, and call themselves Interdenominationists, for that is what they are. When a church is wrong on salvation and/or baptism, it is not a scriptural church, regardless of the name.
   Many Interdenominational churches will accept into their membership those who have been sprinkled, or even have received no form of water baptism at all. How sad to see people take this position and yet still contend that they believe and practice the Bible.

Scriptural Baptism Protects The Local Church
From The One World Ecumenical Church

   No Baptist church that stands on SCRIPTURAL baptism can ever be a part of the Ecumenical (ICK-YOU-MAN-ICK-ALL) movement and the future One World Church. Scriptural baptism holds the line as an insuperable barrier and an unbridgeable breach between sound Baptist churches and the Ecumenical movement. As long as God will not accept the baptism of the Catholic and Protestant churches, I cannot ecumenicalize with them.
   Already the Catholics and some Protestant denominations have united some of their schools, so that theological students from various denominations are studying in the same school. Steps have already been taken by some denominations to accept the ordinations of ministers from other denominations. A number of denominations have yoked up, and "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS" of Revelation 17 is being established. The coming together officially of the various liberal Lutheran institutions bears this fact out immediately in the last few years for starters.

Baptists Who Accept Alien Immersion Are Paving
The Way For The Ecumenical One World Church

   Any Baptist Church that accepts the baptism of the Protestant churches, is preparing the way for joining the Ecumenical Church of the coming future. Protestant baptism is NOT valid, simply because they do NOT have scriptural authority, NOR do they baptize the right people for the right reason.
   How can scriptural Baptists cooperate with, fellowship with, or receive baptism from churches that are Baptist in name, but who accept baptism from every denominational class that comes around? Baptism does not rest upon whether the person is satisfied with it, but the question is, will the Lord be pleased with it? Does it meet the teaching and written out pattern of the Scriptures? Is it certainly honest to God's perfect will and only plan? "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8).
   Some preachers and Baptist churches seem to be sound on baptism as far as their local congregation is concerned, and this is very good. However, these same preachers and churches do not appear to be embarrassed as they work together with 'alien immersionists.' These preachers swap pulpits for Bible conferences, revivals, special meetings, etc. They also labor together in sending out missionaries. They work together in building schools for the training of preachers. "Can two walk together, except they be agree?" (Amos 3:3). "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" (I Corinthians 5:6b).
   Salvation is of the Lord and is by His merciful grace. Baptism must be administered through God's churches by man. But if that man does not have the Bible authority to baptize, then his baptism is no more authentic, real, or scriptural, than any false brand of salvation. This authority rests and will remain in scriptural New Testament Baptist churches until Jesus comes to reign. Amen.

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