Baptism - A Special Study
Baptism - A Special Study
Baptism - A Special Study
A Special Study
1. Shortly before He ascended into heaven, Jesus gave His apostles The Great Commission:
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age.” Amen. (Mt 28:18-20)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.” (Mk 16:15-16)
5. This series is devoted to answering these and other questions related to baptism...
a. Since it was commanded by Christ, it is certainly worthy of careful consideration
b. It is my intention to glean from the Bible what is actually taught on this subject
c. It is my prayer that you will have the attitude of those in Berea - cf. Ac 17:11
1) To receive the word with all readiness (i.e., listen carefully with a desire to at least
understand, if at first you do not agree)
2) To search the Scriptures (i.e., to read the Bible carefully to see if what I am saying is true)
[At the very least, we can say that Peter’s preaching was in harmony with the statements of Jesus in the
Great Commission: Preach the gospel, command people to be baptized. So far the indication appears
that it was a baptism in water, and done for the remission of sins. Let’s consider now one who was not
actually an apostle, but certainly filled with the Spirit...]
A. TO THE SAMARITANS...
1. Though not an apostle, Philip went to Samaria and “preached Christ” - Ac 8:5
2. The response to such preaching: “...when they believed Philip as he preached the
things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men
and women were baptized.” - Ac 8:12
CONCLUSION
1. That baptism played a prominent role in apostolic preaching becomes evident when we compare
what is revealed in the examples of conversion...
2. In every case of conversion described in detail in the book of Acts, baptism is mentioned...
a. Clearly it is was an important theme of apostolic preaching
b. G. R. Beasley-Murray, a Baptist scholar, has observed:
3. And what should be proclaimed regarding baptism? In this lesson we have seen...
a. That it was commanded “for the remission of sins” - Ac 2:38
b. That it was done to “wash away sins”- Ac 22:16
c. That it involved “water” - Ac 8:36-38; 10:48
d. That it was done “immediately”, with no delay even if after midnight - Ac 16:25-33
Our next lesson will examine what the apostles taught in their epistles regarding baptism, as we continue
to seek Bible answers to such questions...
1. In our first lesson we saw where baptism played a prominent role in apostolic preaching...
a. In every case of conversion described in the book of Acts, baptism is mentioned
b. As G. R. Beasley-Murray, a Baptist scholar, observed: “Baptism is...a part of the
proclamation of Christ. In an Apostolic sermon it comes as its logical conclusion.”
- G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism In The New Testament, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1962, p. 393)
2. And what did the apostles proclaim regarding baptism? We noticed that...
a. It was commanded “for the remission of sins” - Ac 2:38
b. It was done to “wash away sins”- Ac 22:16
c. It involved “water” - Ac 8:36-38; 10:48
d. It was done “immediately”, with no delay even if after midnight - Ac 16:25-33
[In this lesson, we will examine what Paul taught in his epistles regarding baptism. Let’s start with by
noticing what he said about baptism...]
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Paul does not say that baptism “symbolizes things which had already occurred”
a. Many say this is the purpose or design of baptism, often quoting this passage
b. But read the passage carefully; Paul says no such thing!
2. But rather, Paul describes baptism into Christ as when such things occur
a. We were buried with Him “through baptism into death” - Ro 6:4
b. It is in baptism we are buried with Christ into death (His death); we thereby die to sin in
baptism
c. We were buried with Him, why? “That just as Christ was raised...even so we also
should walk in newness of life” - Ro 6:4
d. We are baptized in order to rise to walk in newness of life just as Christ did!
3. Note also Paul’s preface to these remarks: “as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were...”
[In his commentary on Romans, Martin Luther wrote: “Baptism has been instituted that it should
lead us to the blessings (of this death) and through such death to eternal life. Therefore IT IS
NECESSARY that we should be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death.” (Commentary On
Romans, Kregel Publications, p.101).
Though believing that we are justified by grace through faith (and he would say “by faith alone”),
Luther understood that salvation by faith did not preclude the necessity of baptism! Why, we shall see
shortly; but let’s go on to consider what Paul wrote of baptism...]
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Paul wrote: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on...”
a. “For as many” means no more or no less
b. Only those who have been baptized into Christ have really received Christ into their
lives!
2. Many teach “receive Jesus Christ by saying the sinner’s prayer...”
a. But the Bible nowhere teaches that this is how one “receives Christ”
b. Rather, one “puts on” (or receives) Christ when they are baptized into Christ!
[In his commentary on this verse, Luther concluded: “Wherefore baptism is a thing of great force
and efficacy.” (Commentary On Galatians, Kregel Publications, p.222). How true, if in baptism we
“put on Christ”!
How this is possible without being a form of works-salvation becomes clearer as we consider what Paul
taught concerning baptism...]
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Here we learn that baptism is a work of God, not man
a. Just as it was God who raised Jesus, so it is He who makes us alive, having forgiven our
[Again, this is something Martin Luther clearly recognized, when he responded to those who would call
this a kind of works-salvation: “Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism,
however, is not our work but God’s.” (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission
of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 32-34)
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. This “washing” and “regeneration” does not occur because we have earned it!
a. Baptism is not a work of righteousness by virtue of which we merit salvation!
b. We are saved by the kindness, love, and mercy of God! - Ti 3:4-5
2. It is by God’s mercy that He (not we) saves us!
a. Which He does through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit!
b. Which He does when we are baptized into Christ!
3. Through such mercy in Christ Jesus, we are truly “justified by His grace” - Ti 3:6-7
CONCLUSION
“This is diligently to be noted, because of the fond and fantastical spirits, who go
about to deface the majesty of baptism, and speak wickedly of it. Paul, contrariwise,
commendeth it, and setteth it forth with honorable titles, calling it, ‘the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost’. And here also he saith, that ‘all ye
that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.’ Wherefore baptism is a thing of
great force and efficacy.” (Commentary On Galatians, Kregel Publications, p. 222)
Do we deface the majesty of baptism, in our mistaken zeal to oppose what we perceive to be a form of
works-salvation?
Or do we, like Paul, commend it by noting his own teaching regarding baptism, and like Luther,
appreciate how that by the working of God it can be a thing of great force and efficacy?
1. In our first lesson we saw where Peter included baptism as part of his apostolic preaching...
a. He commanded the people at Pentecost to be baptized - Ac 2:36-38
b. He commanded the household of Cornelius to be baptized - Ac 10:47-48
2. From the accounts in Acts, we saw that for Peter baptism was...
a. For the remission of sins - Ac 2:38
b. An act that involved water - Ac 10:47
4. Fortunately, we do not have wonder, for in his first epistle Peter wrote...
“There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ,” (1 Pe 3:21)
[As stated in the KJV, “...baptism doth also now save us”! But while teaching that baptism saves us,
Peter is careful to explain in what way. Let’s take a closer look at the text to see what Peter is saying
about baptism...]
I. BAPTISM IS AN “ANTITYPE”
A. DEFINING “ANTITYPE”...
1. The Greek word is antitupon {an-teet’-oo-pon}, which means “a thing formed after
some pattern; that which corresponds to a type”
2. So you have two things that some how relate or correspond to each other; one is a type, the
other is the antitype
[Because baptism in water is somehow related to our salvation, Peter could speak of it as an antitype that
saves us, just as Noah and his family were “saved through water”!
How can this be? Aren’t we saved by the blood of Jesus? Of course! The answer can be seen as we
continue to note what Peter taught concerning baptism...]
[By God’s saving grace and resurrecting power, then, baptism can indeed save us! Not because of any
cleansing power in the water, but because of what God is doing at that moment through the blood of
Jesus and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ti 3:4-5).
But notice finally, how Peter teaches that baptism saves because...]
CONCLUSION
Yes, through the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, working in conjunction with our faith in
the blood of Jesus, baptism does indeed save those who are making an appeal for a clear conscience!
Is baptism essential to salvation? Let the preaching and teaching of Christ’s apostles provide the
answer! I believe that when we do, we can see why one should takes Jesus’ own words with no
equivocation:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned. (Mark 16:16)
It is my prayer that if you have not yet properly responded to the Word of the Lord, you will heed the
same words given to Paul:
Have you made an appeal to God for a good conscience by being baptized into Christ?
2. The conclusion drawn from such sources was that baptism is...
a. For the remissions of sins - cf. Ac 2:38
b. Therefore necessary for salvation - cf. Ac 22:16; 1 Pe 3:21
-- Which certainly seems consistent with Jesus’ own words in Mk 16:15-16
3. But invariably someone will say: “What about the thief on the cross?” - Lk 23:39-43
a. This is most popular objection to the necessity of baptism
b. Despite all that is revealed about the purpose of baptism in the Bible!
[As we take a closer look at the objection, “What About The Thief On The Cross?”, let’s me first
emphasize that...]
[Yet the question remains: Is the salvation of the thief relevant to the issue? Consider that...]
[The thief on the cross died before Jesus gave His commandment in Mt 28 and Mk 16. Since we live
after Jesus commanded baptism, how can we use the example of the thief to say it is not necessary? In
a similar vein...]
III. THE THIEF WAS SAVED BEFORE THE NEW COVENANT BEGAN
CONCLUSION
Rather than depending upon an example of salvation that is nothing similar to our situation today, base
your faith and assurance of salvation on the many examples of salvation that were recorded in the book
of Acts for our benefit.
Heed the preaching and teaching of Christ and His apostles directed toward you!
1. At this point we are considering objections to the idea that baptism is...
a. For the remission of sins
b. Therefore necessary for salvation
2. In the previous study we examined the salvation of the thief on the cross, noting that...
a. He was saved before the command to be baptized into Christ’s death was given
b. He was saved before the new covenant became of force
-- Which makes his example of salvation irrelevant to the issue of baptism
3. Another objection concerns Cornelius and his household, which be summarized like this:
a. The Spirit came upon Cornelius and his family before they were baptized
b. The Spirit falling upon them was evidence that they were saved
c. Therefore they were saved before baptism, making it not essential to salvation
5. There are important questions that must be answered as we consider the events of this conversion:
a. Exactly when did the Spirit fall upon Cornelius and his household?
b. What was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon them?
[As we consider the objection, “What About Cornelius And His Household?”, let’s first take a close
look at...]
[The events surrounding this conversion are certainly remarkable. They evidently were intended to
convey important truths. But our purpose in this study is to answer these questions:
If not to save them, what was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon Cornelius and
his household?
[Since Cornelius and his family were not saved until they heard the “words” by which they would be
saved, and told what they “must do”, the Spirit falling upon them did not saved them, for it came upon
them before they heard the “words” and were told what to do!
But why did the Spirit come upon them, if not to save them? Consider what actually was...]
CONCLUSION
1. While miraculous events surrounded the conversion of Cornelius and his family, their salvation was
no different from what we see in other cases of conversion...
a. They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ
b. They were taught to believe and be baptized
-- Thus they were saved “in the same manner” as all those previously - cf. Mk 16:15-16;
Ac 2:38; 8:12
Those of us not descended from Israel can rejoice in what God revealed with the conversion of
Cornelius and his household. As properly concluded by the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem:
“...God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Ac 11:16)
And when carefully noted, they were saved “in the same manner” (cf. Ac 15:9-11) as all others, having
their hearts purified through faith when they heard and obeyed the word of God!
1. Another objection commonly raised concerning the necessity of baptism is based upon Paul’s
statement to the church at Corinth - cf. 1 Co 1:14-17
a. Special note is made of Paul’s statement: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to
preach the gospel...” - 1 Co 1:17
b. From which some conclude baptism must not be essential to salvation
[In this study, let’s take a closer look at the context in which Paul’s statement is found. Note that...]
[So Paul was addressing a problem at Corinth. Are we to construe from this that Paul didn’t preach
baptism, or didn’t think it necessary? To the contrary...]
[Though Paul personally baptized few, his preaching resulted in many baptisms! Baptism must have
played a significant role in his preaching. That is one reason why we must not twist Paul’s words to the
church at Corinth as implying that it was not necessary. As we return to 1 Co 1:13, we should also note
that...]
[In the very context of a passage which many use to claim that baptism is not essential, Paul implies one
cannot be called a Christian unless they have been baptized in the name of Christ! How then are we to
understand Paul’s statement: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel...”? The
answer is easy...]
CONCLUSION
1. When one considers all the evidence we have about the situation at Corinth, we learn...
a. That many were baptized as a result of Paul’s preaching - Ac 18:8
b. Paul was glad that he did not personally baptize many of them, because of the problem that later
arose in Corinth - 1 Co 1:14-15
Can you rightfully be called a Christian? Yes, Christ was crucified for you; but have you been baptized
in the name of Christ?
3. In considering the work involved in baptism, who is truly the one “at work”?
a. Is it the man or woman who submits to being immersed?
b. Or is it God who forgives and regenerates through the blood of Jesus and working of the Holy
Spirit?
[When one carefully considers what the Bible teaches, there is no contradiction between the idea that we
are saved by faith and not works, and at the same time saved by baptism. In this study I hope to make
that clear. Let me begin by pointing out that...]
[What is said of faith, repentance, and confession may also be said of baptism...]
[No where does the Bible suggest that baptism is a work of merit, by which God owes us salvation upon
the basis of our baptism. Like faith, repentance, and confession, baptism is simply an act of faith by
which we receive salvation. And why is this so? Because...]
CONCLUSION
2. Sadly, many people reject baptism because they see it as something you do...
a. In reality, baptism is the most passive act of faith required to receive Christ and the blessings
He provides
b. I.e., “believe”, “repent”, “confess Christ”, are all things we must do
c. On the other hand, “baptism” is something done to us
3. Consider this...
a. Faith, repentance, and confession are all active acts of faith on our part
b. Baptism is but a passive act of faith in which we submit to the working of God in our lives (cf.
Co 2:12).
-- To object to baptism because it requires man to “do” something would require one to
object to faith, repentance, and confession, for they also require man to “do”
something!
4. Even Martin Luther, who coined the phrase “salvation by faith only”, understood that salvation by
grace through faith did not preclude the necessity of baptism:
a. In answer to the question, “What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?”, Luther replied
in his Small Catechism, “It effects forgiveness of sins.”
b. He also wrote concerning the sinner: “Through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ
and is cleansed from sins.”
c. Again, he wrote: “To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of
Baptism is to save.”
d. In response to those who would call this a kind of works-salvation, he said “Yes, it is true
that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our work but
God’s.” -- (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins, College
Press, 1990, p. 32-34)
So to those who say, “Baptism is a work, and we are not saved by works”, I would reply:
Baptism is a work of God, and we are saved by faith in the working of God!
Have you submitted to the working of God in baptism? If you believe that Jesus died for your sins on
the cross, have repented of your sins and are willing to confess your faith in Him as the Son of God, you
can receive the working of God in your life today!
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)
1. Another objection to the necessity of baptism involves making a distinction between baptism in the
Spirit and baptism in water; this view proclaims...
a. “The baptism which saves is a baptism in the Spirit at the point of faith.”
b. “Passages like Ro 6:3-7, Ga 3:27, etc., refer to Spirit baptism, not water baptism.”
[There are several problems that I have with this effort to explain away the necessity of baptism in water
for the remission of sins. To begin with, the Bible teaches...]
[Whichever, we cannot have two or more baptisms; there is only one baptism! Now let me explain
why regarding the one baptism...]
[Having declared the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” a promise that was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost,
let me emphasize concerning the “baptism of the Great Commission”...]
[The baptism of the Great Commission is more than just an immersion in water. At the moment the
penitent believer is lowered into the water, the Spirit is very much at work in renewing, regenerating,
and incorporating us into the Body of Christ. In other words...]
CONCLUSION
2. Note well: If these passages are not discussing “water baptism” (i.e., the baptism of the Great
Commission)...
a. We have no Scripture that tells us what is the true significance and meaning of the baptism
commanded by Christ and His apostles!
b. The Lord has commanded water baptism, with no explanation as to what it means!
-- Any explanation as to the meaning and purpose of the baptism of the Great Commission is pure
conjecture and without any scriptural basis!
Should we be surprised that the Great Commission of our Lord contains a great command having great
significance?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I
have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen. (Mt 28:19-20)
And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.” (Mk 16:15-16)
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ac 22:16)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.”
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.”
1 Co 12:13 still teaches that baptism puts us into the body of Christ:
“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.”
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized 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.”
Co 2:12-13 still teaches that through baptism we obtain the newness of life:
“buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with [Him]
through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you,
being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has
made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,”
The first time the gospel was preached, “They then that received his word were baptized,” (Ac 2:41).
People today who receive the gospel do the same thing.
Friend, if you believe in Jesus Christ, and have repented, i.e., determined that you will live according to
His teaching, won't you confess His name before men and be baptized for the reasons He said while you
have opportunity?
1. In the preaching and teaching of the apostles, we saw that baptism is essential to:
a. Salvation - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
b. Becoming disciples of Christ - Mt 28:19-20; Ga 3:27
2. But even when the essentiality of baptism has been established, questions often remain:
a. Is baptism to be immersion, pouring, or sprinkling?
b. Should infants be baptized?
c. Is there ever any reason to be “re-baptized?”
[This lesson examines the first of these questions: “Is baptism to be sprinkling, pouring or
immersion?” Let’s begin this study by examining...]
[That of course is where Greek lexicons like those referenced to above are helpful. They define words
according to their meaning at the time used by the New Testament writers. Now let’s consider...]
A. BY PAUL IN ROMANS...
1. In baptism, we are “buried with Him...into death” - cf. Ro 6:3-4
2. Baptism is a “likeness of his death” - Ro 6:5
B. BY PAUL IN COLOSSIANS...
1. In baptism, we are “buried with Him”
2. “in which, you were also raised with Him” - Co 2:12
[Paul’s use of such figures of speech would make no sense if baptism were either pouring or sprinkling.
It is also interesting to note...]
CONCLUSION
2. As a final confirmation, consider the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:35-39
a. “both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water”
b. “he baptized (immersed) him”
c. “they came up out of the water”
3. What of yourself?
a. Was your baptism like that described in Ac 8:38-39?
b. If you were sprinkled or had water poured upon you...
4. If you have not been baptized (immersed) as commanded by Jesus and His apostles...
a. You are still in your sins! - Ac 2:38; 22:16
b. You have not yet put on Christ and become His disciple! - Ga 3:27; Mt 28:18-20
‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.’ (Acts 22:16)
2. Two more questions remain which are often in the minds of people:
a. Should infants be baptized?
b. Is there ever a need to be “re-baptized?”
[This study shall consider the question “What About Infant Baptism?” My first point is to suggest
that...]
[The first thing to realize about “infant baptism” is that it is not baptism in the strict sense of the word;
nor is it the baptism spoken of in the N.T., which was only for those who possessed faith and a penitent
heart. Another point to consider is...]
CONCLUSION
Don’t place your faith in the traditions of men, or in the doctrines of some church; place your faith in the
Word of God, and obey it accordingly!
2. Another question that is often raised: “Is there ever a need to be re-baptized?”
a. What about those who were sprinkled?
b. What about those who were baptized as infants?
c. What about those who were baptized believing they were already saved?
B. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
1. They had been previously “baptized”
2. But their baptism was lacking in some way
a. Even though it was immersion
b. Even though it was “for the remission of sins” - Mk 1:4
3. But their baptism was not in the name of Jesus, i.e., by His authority - Ac 2:38; 10:48;
19:5
a. Which would have been a baptism into the name of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the
Son - Mt 28:19
b. Which would have been a baptism into the death of Christ, by which they would have
been clothed with Christ - Ro 6:3-7; Ga 3:27
-- Because their first “baptism” lacked an essential element, “re-baptism” was
necessary!
CONCLUSION
Have you been scripturally baptized? If you desire assistance, please feel free to let me know! May
God bless you in your efforts to do His Will!
For a much more in-depth study on the subject of “baptism,” I recommend the following books:
This is an excellent treatment of the subject from a scholarly point of view, by one
of the foremost scholars among the Baptist denomination. He readily admits that
his conclusions run counter to the views held by those in his own denomination.
Baptism And The Remission Of Sins (Edited by David W. Fletcher, College Press
Publishing Co., Joplin, Missouri, 1990, 432 pages)
This is a collection of articles surveying throughout church history the view that baptism is for the
remission of sins. It also discusses controversies surrounding “re-baptism.”