Baptism
1. Question: What is the meaning of baptism?
Answer: Baptism is being born again of water and the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 3:11, NIV) “I baptize you with [Or in] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(Mark 1:8, NIV) I baptize you with [Or in] water, but he (Christ) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Luke 3:16, NIV) John answered them all, “I baptize you with [Or in] water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He (Christ) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(John 1:33, NIV) I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
(John 3:3-7, NIV) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” [Or born from above; also in verse 7] (John 3:4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:5) Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:6) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit [Or but spirit] gives birth to spirit. (John 3:7) You should not be surprised at my saying, `You [The Greek is plural.] must be born again.’
(Acts 1:5, NIV) For John baptized with [Or in] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Explanation: Immersion in water during baptism is a symbol of a man being born again similar to a newly born baby free from sins.
2. Question: Is it proper to baptize babies and little children?
Answer: It is not proper to baptize babies and little children because the kingdom of God already belongs to them.
(Matthew 19:13-15, NIV) Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. (Matthew 19:14) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:15) When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
(Mark 10:13-14, NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. (Mark 10:14) When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
(Luke 18:15-16, NIV) People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:16) But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
3. Question: What are the prerequisites that man should do before he can be baptized?
Answer: The following are the prerequisites that man should do before he can be baptized:
3.1 Have faith in God and to His Son Jesus Christ
(Mark 16:16, NIV) "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
(John 5:24, NIV) I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him (God the Father) who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;
(John 14:1, NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; [Or You trust in God] trust also in me.
(Acts 8:36-38, NIV) As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:37) Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:38) And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
(Acts 16:31, 33, NIV) They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” (Acts 16:33) At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
3.2 Confess his sins.
(Matthew 3:6, NIV) "Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him (John the Baptist) in the Jordan River."
(Mark 1:5, NIV) The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him (John the Baptist). Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
3.3 Repent of his sins.
(Matthew 3:1-2, NIV) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea (Matthew 3:2) and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
(Mark 1:4, NIV) And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Luke 3:3, NIV) He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Acts 2:38, NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 19:4, NIV) Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
4. Question: What are the blessings that man can Obtain after baptism?
Answer: The blessings that man can obtain after baptism are the following:
4.1 His sins will be forgiven and will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 1:4, NIV) And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Luke 3:3, NIV) He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Acts 2:38, NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4.2 He will have the right to be called son of God.
(John 1:12, NIV) "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
(Galatians 3:26-27, NIV) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (Galatians 3:27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
4.3 He will become heir of God and co-heir with Christ.
(Romans 8:16-17, NIV) "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:17) 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."
4.4 He will have eternal life.
(Mark 16:16, NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
(John 3:16, NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, [Or his only begotten Son] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:36, NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life.
(John 5:24, NIV) I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him (God the Father) who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;
Summary:
Baptism is being born again of water and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; 3:3-7; Acts 1:5).
It is not proper to baptize babies and little children because the kingdom of God already belongs to them (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-14; Luke 18:15-16).
Before a man can be baptized, he should have faith in God and in his Son Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16, John 5:24; 14:1; Acts 8:36-38; 16:31, 33), confess his sins to God (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5) and repent for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 3:1-2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; 19:4).
After a man is baptized, his sins will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38), will have the right to be called son of God (John 1:12; Galatians 3:26-27), will become heir of God and co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17); and will have eternal life (Mark 16:16; John 3:16, 36; 5:24). It is important to know and The True Meaning according to the Holy Scriptures!
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