373. BAPTISM
"He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved"
The Lord committed "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven " to Peter (Matt. 16:19). Peter used these "keys" to open the door of the kingdom to the Jews (Acts 2:37-38) and then to the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48). He showed that baptism identified a believer with God's Son and by it sins were washed away (Acts 2:38). Thousands were baptised after Peter preached at Pentecost; and likewise the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch responded to Philip's preachings. Later Paul was baptised and he commanded baptism of believers at the ecclesias he established (Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:5). Although "baptism into the name of Jesus Christ" was first proclaimed by the apostles of the Lord, the principles underlying it were not; they were also taught in the Law of Moses, and even in Eden itself. The aim of this lesson is to see the importance and significance of bap tism.
Romans 6
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
The English word "baptise" is derived from the Greek word "baptiso". It means "to dip" or "to plunge" and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment by immersing it in a dyeing fluid. By baptism, or immersion in water, a believer submits to a simple act with a profound significance: his old way of life is buried as complete ly as is a dead body. His sins are forgiven and thenceforth he should reveal not old habits but those of a converted person whose life is fashioned after the example of Christ (Rom. 13:14).
There is no suggestion in the Bible that baptism was by sprinkling, but rather that it entailed immersion in water. Moreover, seeing baptism en tailed faith and repentance, it was never performed on babies. It was the established practice in Apostolic days by which a believer was inducted into Christ.
BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION.
Jesus declared "he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16); earlier he had said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:5). Paul taught that by baptism into Christ we can become heirs of the promise of eternal life (Gal. 3:27-29). In addition, Peter said that "bap tism doth also now save us" (1 Pet. 3:20-21). Each of these passages shows that baptism is not optional but essential for salvation.
PRINCIPLES IN EDEN.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God made coats of skins and clothed them (Gen. 3:21). This was in contrast with their own attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves (Gen. 3:7). They had attempted to cover their sin and shame by their own efforts. But they needed to honour God by recognising that they had sinned and broken His law. God required the "shedding of blood" for the remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). Death was the divinely appointed penalty for sin (Gen. 3:19). The correctness of this law had to be acknowledged as a basis for salvation.
PRINCIPLES IN THE LAW OF MOSES.
The Law of Moses taught the same principles in its sacrificial code as Adam and Eve were taught in Genesis 3:21. In each offering, life was re quired. The offerer acknowledged that the death inflicted on the sacrifice really was the just penalty belonging to him, the sinner, for he held the head of the slain animal. As the life blood was shed and the animal slowly became limp and died, the graphic lesson would be taught him that "the wages of sin is death" and that for life to be gained there must be sacrifice (Lev. 1:3-5; 3:2, 8; 4:4, 15, 24). The Lord Jesus Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, typically "slain in Eden" € the "foundation of the world" € through whom our sins might be covered (Isa. 53:7; Jn. 1:29; Rev. 13:8).
PRE-REQUISITE TO BAPTISM.
Before baptism it is essential to have a clear understanding of the gospel, which consists of two elements € the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ (cp. Acts 8:12). The Ethiopian eunuch had to receive instruction before he had sufficient understanding for baptism (Acts 8:30-39). When Paul preached, "the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptised" (Acts 18:8).
There must also be a willingness to comply with the command of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20).
SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM (Romans 6).
Romans chapter 6 explains the meaning of baptism. In verse 1 the question is asked, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" It had been suggested by some that Paul was encouraging sin seeing he plac ed such emphasis upon God's abounding grace. But the answer is an em phatic "No." "Let it not be. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (v.2). He proceeds to show that baptism terminates a life of service to sin and commences a new life of service to God.
Verses 2-8 explain in detail the significance of baptism. Baptism has a negative significance € it is a symbolic death. Since dead bodies cannot sin, a saint in effect has died with Christ in baptism and so cannot serve sin thereafter. The "old man", or his past way of life which did service to Sin (personified in v.6 as a "slave master"), was "crucified with Christ".
But baptism also has a positive significance. When the believer emerges from the water of baptism he is "raised" with Christ. As Christ rose from the dead to newness of life, so the believer rises to the new moral principles of Christ (v.4; Col, 3:1). His former life did not reflect glory to God, but the new life of the disciple must show forth the praises of God: "like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life". In his obedience to death Jesus glorified God, but in resurrection he was glorified by the Father (Jn. 12:28; 17:1). There is no honour or glory to God in mere submission to a ritual. God is honoured when the "newness of life" can be seen in the changed life of the believer. He must "live unto God" (vv. 8-11): his conduct must be governed by faith in God so that "it is God which worketh in him both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). Sin is also personified as a "king". Because all sin, all are under his dominion. The believer must not allow his body to be governed by "King Sin". Rather the saint must "yield himself to God, as one that is alive from the dead" (vv. 12-14).
In verses 21-23 the apostle Paul contrasts the end of a life in service to sin with that in which God is served. The former master pays wages which are death, but God does not pay His servants wages for no amount of work done could ever merit eternal life. Eternal life being beyond price or wage is described by the apostle as the "gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord".
PRINCIPLES IN DAILY LIFE.
The simple act of baptism is the "answer of a good conscience towards God" (1 Pet. 3:21). The baptised believer must see that he is responsible to God in a very special way. He must endeavour to obey the command ments in his daily life; he must follow the example of Jesus Christ (Lk. 14:26-27). Seeing he has been bought "with the precious blood of Christ," he belongs to the Father, and must not please himself (Rom. 15:1-3). The garments of the "new man" which he must now put on are listed in Col.3:10-17 to which the student should refer.
BAPTISMAL PROCEDURE.
In apostolic times care was exercised to ensure that repentance and belief were present as a proper basis for baptism (Acts 2:38). Because of the prevailing apostasy it is essential for Christadelphians to instruct those seeking baptism in the fundamentals of the Gospel. Teaching the first principles of the Faith to a baptismal candidate is a responsible duty and care must be taken to ensure that there is a proper grasp of the Truth and the obligations that go with it. In our Statement of Faith there are doc trines to be received and doctrines to be rejected as well as the command ments of Christ. The Statement of Faith forms the basis of Fellowship common to Christadelphians throughout the world.
Upon belief and confession of the Faith the believer is baptised for the remission of sins. With baptism comes access to God in prayer through the name of Christ, and fellowship with the Brotherhood of Christ throughout the world. In the life which follows the believer must grow in understanding, faith, hope and love.
LESSONS FOR US:
- The Lord Jesus Christ taught that baptism into his name is essential for the remission of sins.
- The principles underlying baptism were taught by the provision of coats of skins in Eden, and in the Law of Moses by the sacrifice of animals.
- In baptism the believer aligns himself with the principles of the death and resurrection of Christ: the old way of life is buried with Christ and he rises to a new way of life as Christ rose to a newness of life.
- Baptism is a symbolic ritual, but its true significance must be transfer red into practice in daily life.
- The act of baptism is the most serious step which can be taken by a person. It should not be entered without recognition of the respon sibilities which it entails.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas) € Pages 53, 135, 188-209
"Key to the Understanding of the Scriptures" (H. P. Mansfield) € Lesson 7
"Faith in the Last Days" (J. Thomas) € Chapter 29
"Christendom Astray" (R. Roberts) € Lecture 17
"Christadelphian Instructor" € Questions 62, 63
"God's Way" (J. Carter) € Chapter 11
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
- What is the importance and significance of baptism?
- Explain why the fig leaf device made by Adam and Eve was not ac ceptable to God.
- What must take place before a person is baptised?
- What are some of the qualities which belong to the "new man" in Christ?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. Although baptism into the name of Jesus Christ was new in the Apostolic era, its principles were not. How were these principles taught:
- In the Garden of Eden?
- In the Law of Moses
- Write an essay setting out Paul's teaching about the significance of baptism in Romans chapter 6.
- How does baptism align the believer with the death and resurrection of Christ?