Jim Parker
Member
We will still have the spacing and indentation problems. Sorry.
IV. What about being baptized “in the name of Jesus” only?
Because “Peter said”
- Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…”
- Acts 10:48a And he (Peter) commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you baptize someone in the name of Jesus Christ?
That brings up another question:
Where in the scriptures do we find an example of how to baptize?
Aside from Jesus’ specific instructions, there are no step-by-step instructions on
“How to Baptize” in scripture.
So where do we find any record of how it was done?
Answer: In the writings of the very early church, we have specific instructions from those
who were taught by the apostles and those instructions tell us what the apostles
taught about how to do baptism.
A. The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve)
The Didache is a compellation of teachings for the Church dating from as early as the late 1st century or as late as from the very early 2nd century.
It was used as instruction for new believers coming into the Church.
It was considered to be authoritative teaching in the early church and was almost included
in the canon of the New Testament.
Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism.
And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
B. Justin Martyr (100 – 165 AD Justin was the first apologist of the Church)
From: The First Apology, Chapter LXI, “Christian Baptism”
And for this [rite of baptism] we have learned from the apostles … in order that we … may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; … (he) is also washed in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who through the prophets foretold everything about Jesus.
Notice the wording there: the name of the trinity is “pronounced over him” just like the name of the LORD was pronounced over the descendants of Jacob (the “children of Israel”) by the OT priests.
V. What is the Purpose of Baptism
A. No, it is not to make a public demonstration that you have joined the Church.
Just showing up on a regular basis does that.
B. Paul told us exactly what is accomplished in Baptism at Romans 6:3-7 (NKJV)
v3. Or do you not know
that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death?
1. When a believer is baptized, he or she is joined to Jesus in His death.
2. He/she “sacramentally” enters into Jesus’ death.
3. The word “Sacramentally” means that sacred ritual of baptism instituted by Jesus
Christ and in which you participate, has and is a spiritual reality.
v4. Therefore, (there's that word again!) we were buried with Him through baptism in death,
(in order) that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so (in the same way) we should also walk in newness of life.
1. In baptism we enter into the spiritual reality of dying and being buried with Christ
2. The purpose of that spiritually real death and burial is:
a. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory
b. we also are raised from that death and burial to new life
<<<<<ANOTHER DETOUR>>>>>
Where else in the New Testament does scripture say something about starting a new life?
How does life begin for a person?
He is born.
What happens to that life when a person sins?
He is rendered “dead in his trespasses and sins” because “the wages of sin is death.”
What did Jesus say about what it takes to fix that situation of being dead in trespasses and sins?
He said: “Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
And when the crowd in Jerusalem on Pentecost asked Peter what they must do he told them:
“Repent, and 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.” (Acts 2:38)
Do you see a possible connection baptism and being born again of water?
No?? OK, I tried!
<<<<< END OF DETOUR>>>>>
>>> Now, back to Romans chapter 6.
v5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death,
certainly, we shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.
1. Baptism brings about a real unity of the believer with Christ’s death
2. Rising from the water is the spiritual reality of rising from the tomb
a. To new life in Christ now and
i. The water of baptism is a tomb where your sinful old man gets buried
ii. The water of baptism is a womb from where you are born again to new
life in Christ Jesus.
b. And it also looks forward to the future resurrection into the eternal life of
the Kingdom of God
v6. Knowing this; that our old man was crucified with Him
(in order) that the body of sin might be done away with
(in order) that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
1. Our “old man”, our “body of sin” is crucified and dies with Christ in baptism
2. The flesh, the so-called “sinful nature”, is done away with in that death.
3. We are released from the slavery to the demands of the flesh which is sin
C. At Acts 2:38, Peter said to be baptized “For the remission of sins”
Ro 6:7. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
1. “Dead men tell no lies” – and they don’t steal or murder or get drunk or do any of
the other works of the flesh listed at Gal. 5:19-21
2. In baptism the “old man” is dead and buried along with his sins.
3. Because: as a baptized person I have been “…crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives within me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and
gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
4. Baptism is OUR crucifixion, death and burial with Christ of the “old man of sin”
AND the resurrection of the new “babe in Christ” to new life in Christ Jesus.
VII. One more question:
Do I have to be baptized?
Is Jesus your Lord?
Did He say to be baptized?
Why would you even ask?
VIII. Conclusion
A. We have the command of Jesus to baptize all disciples from all nations in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
So, if you are a disciple of Jesus, or you plan to be one, you need to obey His
command and be baptized the way He said to be baptized.
If Jesus is your Lord then do what He said to do. (Luke 6:46)
B. We have the examples from the book of Acts that baptism in water was a standard
procedure for everyone who became a Christian.
C. We have the historical documents of the very early Church that it was done according to
Jesus’ instructions.
So, when Jesus said to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, He was not talking about baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is different from baptism in water.
That's a whole " 'nuther" discussion.
Auf wiedersehen
IV. What about being baptized “in the name of Jesus” only?
Because “Peter said”
- Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…”
- Acts 10:48a And he (Peter) commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you baptize someone in the name of Jesus Christ?
That brings up another question:
Where in the scriptures do we find an example of how to baptize?
Aside from Jesus’ specific instructions, there are no step-by-step instructions on
“How to Baptize” in scripture.
So where do we find any record of how it was done?
Answer: In the writings of the very early church, we have specific instructions from those
who were taught by the apostles and those instructions tell us what the apostles
taught about how to do baptism.
A. The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve)
The Didache is a compellation of teachings for the Church dating from as early as the late 1st century or as late as from the very early 2nd century.
It was used as instruction for new believers coming into the Church.
It was considered to be authoritative teaching in the early church and was almost included
in the canon of the New Testament.
Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism.
And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
B. Justin Martyr (100 – 165 AD Justin was the first apologist of the Church)
From: The First Apology, Chapter LXI, “Christian Baptism”
And for this [rite of baptism] we have learned from the apostles … in order that we … may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; … (he) is also washed in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who through the prophets foretold everything about Jesus.
Notice the wording there: the name of the trinity is “pronounced over him” just like the name of the LORD was pronounced over the descendants of Jacob (the “children of Israel”) by the OT priests.
V. What is the Purpose of Baptism
A. No, it is not to make a public demonstration that you have joined the Church.
Just showing up on a regular basis does that.
B. Paul told us exactly what is accomplished in Baptism at Romans 6:3-7 (NKJV)
v3. Or do you not know
that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death?
1. When a believer is baptized, he or she is joined to Jesus in His death.
2. He/she “sacramentally” enters into Jesus’ death.
3. The word “Sacramentally” means that sacred ritual of baptism instituted by Jesus
Christ and in which you participate, has and is a spiritual reality.
v4. Therefore, (there's that word again!) we were buried with Him through baptism in death,
(in order) that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so (in the same way) we should also walk in newness of life.
1. In baptism we enter into the spiritual reality of dying and being buried with Christ
2. The purpose of that spiritually real death and burial is:
a. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory
b. we also are raised from that death and burial to new life
<<<<<ANOTHER DETOUR>>>>>
Where else in the New Testament does scripture say something about starting a new life?
How does life begin for a person?
He is born.
What happens to that life when a person sins?
He is rendered “dead in his trespasses and sins” because “the wages of sin is death.”
What did Jesus say about what it takes to fix that situation of being dead in trespasses and sins?
He said: “Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
And when the crowd in Jerusalem on Pentecost asked Peter what they must do he told them:
“Repent, and 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.” (Acts 2:38)
Do you see a possible connection baptism and being born again of water?
No?? OK, I tried!
<<<<< END OF DETOUR>>>>>
>>> Now, back to Romans chapter 6.
v5. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death,
certainly, we shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.
1. Baptism brings about a real unity of the believer with Christ’s death
2. Rising from the water is the spiritual reality of rising from the tomb
a. To new life in Christ now and
i. The water of baptism is a tomb where your sinful old man gets buried
ii. The water of baptism is a womb from where you are born again to new
life in Christ Jesus.
b. And it also looks forward to the future resurrection into the eternal life of
the Kingdom of God
v6. Knowing this; that our old man was crucified with Him
(in order) that the body of sin might be done away with
(in order) that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
1. Our “old man”, our “body of sin” is crucified and dies with Christ in baptism
2. The flesh, the so-called “sinful nature”, is done away with in that death.
3. We are released from the slavery to the demands of the flesh which is sin
C. At Acts 2:38, Peter said to be baptized “For the remission of sins”
Ro 6:7. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
1. “Dead men tell no lies” – and they don’t steal or murder or get drunk or do any of
the other works of the flesh listed at Gal. 5:19-21
2. In baptism the “old man” is dead and buried along with his sins.
3. Because: as a baptized person I have been “…crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives within me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and
gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
4. Baptism is OUR crucifixion, death and burial with Christ of the “old man of sin”
AND the resurrection of the new “babe in Christ” to new life in Christ Jesus.
VII. One more question:
Do I have to be baptized?
Is Jesus your Lord?
Did He say to be baptized?
Why would you even ask?
VIII. Conclusion
A. We have the command of Jesus to baptize all disciples from all nations in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
So, if you are a disciple of Jesus, or you plan to be one, you need to obey His
command and be baptized the way He said to be baptized.
If Jesus is your Lord then do what He said to do. (Luke 6:46)
B. We have the examples from the book of Acts that baptism in water was a standard
procedure for everyone who became a Christian.
C. We have the historical documents of the very early Church that it was done according to
Jesus’ instructions.
So, when Jesus said to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, He was not talking about baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is different from baptism in water.
That's a whole " 'nuther" discussion.
Auf wiedersehen