BAPTISM
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Q2. Was the Lord Jesus baptized as a model for baptism?
Q3. In another occasion, what is the explanation of the Lord Jesus about baptism?
Q6. After one is baptized, and he is now God's son, what is his position in God's side?
Q9. Which is the power of godliness denied by men who claim they are holy in these last days?
Q10. What is the basis of those who have the form of godliness in God's service?
Q14. What is the moral and spiritual effect on the personality of one who receives the baptism?
Q1. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a divine need, after believing and accepting the gospel in order to be saved.
“15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16) (NIV)
Based on the verses, the Lord Jesus has three conditions in order for a man to be saved. These three are, (a) receive the gospel, (b) believe in the gospel, and (c) be baptized. The last condition is belittled, and is overlooked by many sects. This practice is dangerous, because it deviates from the word of the Lord Jesus for man to achieve salvation. Has anybody been given the right to take away the Son’s words from Him, and then hope for salvation?
“5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Pro. 30:5-6) (NIV)
“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” (Rev. 22:19) (NIV)
Q2. Was the Lord Jesus baptized as a model for baptism?
A. He did it to fulfill all righteousness.
“13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mat. 3:13-17) (NIV)
Q3. In another occasion, what is the explanation of the Lord Jesus about baptism?
A. Baptism is the birth of water and the Spirit.
“3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (Jn. 3:3-5) (NIV)
It is evidently necessary that a person be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. In order to be given birth to water a person needs to be immersed in water. For the meaning of baptism is "to dip or immerse into water." As man emerge from the water, this is when man receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power of God given to man. It comes from above that when a person receives it, it gives strength to fulfill God's will and resist the wickedness of the world.
The coming out from the water is also the birth of a new man, “… to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:23-24) (NIV)
Q4. Why is baptism in the water important? Is there a relationship with faith in the gospel born of water and Spirit to become a son of God?
A. There is a relationship, because through faith the people are baptized to become children of God.
“12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (Jn. 1:12-13) (NIV)
Q5. Therefore, baptism is the way to become a son of God; what is the relationship between being a child of God to enter the kingdom of God?
A. Only children are the heirs, whether in this life or in the kingdom, because it is written:
“16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Rom. 8:16-17) (NIV)
Q6. After one is baptized, and he is now God's son, what is his position in God's side?
A. Becomes a member and fellow believer in the house of God.
“18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,” (Eph. 2:18-19) (NIV)
Q7. If God has a household here on earth, does it mean that God has a home here? If so, what is it called?
A. God has a house here on earth, and it is called the Church of God.
“14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.“ (1 Tim. 3:14-15) (NIV)
Q8. Why is it that there is only one house of God, here on earth, the Church of God - the people who are inhabited by His Spirit, who are in the Spirit of God's temple - (I Cor 3: 16-17) - why is that there are many sects that are named by each of their own will?
A. “1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be…“ (2 Tim. 3:1-3) (NIV)
“4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Tim. 3:4-5) (NIV)
Q9. Which is the power of godliness denied by men who claim they are holy in these last days?
A. The word or command of God, is the power of godliness rejected by the men who claim they are holy in these last days.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17) (NIV)
“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” (Rom. 7:12) (NIV)
Q10. What is the basis of those who have the form of godliness in God's service?
A. The philosophy and tradition of the people.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Col. 2:8) (NIV)
Notice, that many sects rejected the "baptismal" command, which the Lord Jesus commanded and to which He Himself did. They have further rejected the "truth" that the church of God is called upon his name: Church of God, which can be read letter by letter, twelve times, written in the Bible..
Q11. What does the Lord Jesus say to those who are professing to be holy,but what they obey is the command of men?
A. Their worship to God is of no value.
“6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:6-8) (NIV)
Q12. Is there any OCCASION in the preaching of the apostles, that believers that were baptized are saved?
A. There is, the jail guard.
“30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” (Acts 16:30-33) (NIV)
Q13. Israel, God's ancient people, like his people in the last days - the church of God – were they also baptized?
A. They were baptized in the clouds and in the sea.
“1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (1 Cor. 10:1-2) (NIV)
Q14. What is the moral and spiritual effect on the personality of one who receives the baptism?
A. (a)Moral effect: to walk a new life.
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom. 6:4) (NIV)
(b) Spiritual effect: dead unto sin.
“2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:2-3) (NIV)
“6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (Rom. 6:6-7) (NIV)
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