Theo 116: Baptism Flashcards
John the baptist baptised people as a sign of repentance
His central message is,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2)
His baptised people as a sign of their repentance
Matthew 3:11
11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire.
Acts 13:24 - “after John had proclaimed
before His coming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel.”
Acts 19:4 - “Paul said, John baptized with the
baptism of repentance, telling the people to
believe in Him who was coming after him,
that is, in Jesus.”
Water is a symbol of being washed clean from sin.
In the New Testament Jesus was baptized to fulfill the righteous
plan of God.
Matthew 3:14-15
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, I have need
to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?
But Jesus answering said to him, Permit it at this
time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness. Then he permitted Him.
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance from sin. Jesus himself had no sin, but in humility he consents to be counted as a sinner
As 2 Corinthians 5:21 puts it, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
In the New Testament Jesus and His disciples baptized those who
believed in Him.
John 4:1-2 - “Therefore when the Lord knew
that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was
making and baptizing more disciples than
John (although Jesus Himself was not
baptizing, but His disciples were)”
In the New Testament Jesus commanded that all His disciples should be baptized.
Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in Romaon Catholisism
a means of saving grace
“If anyone should say that baptism is optional,
that is, not necessary for salvation: let him be anathema” - Council of Trent
Lutheran view of Baptism
Baptism + Faith = salvation
“Q. What does baptism give, or what use is it?
A. It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.” - Luther’s Small Catechism 1529
Reformed view of baptism
- Baptism = initiation into the covenant
of grace and a sign of salvation
(Reformed view)
“Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ not only for the solemn admission of the party
baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto
God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life . . . Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so
inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all who are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
The Westminster Confession of Faith 1646
Churches of Christ And Chistian Churches view of Baptism
We believe that in the NT plan of salvation, baptism marks
the point in time when God, because of his grace—and for
no other reason—cleanses and forgives penitent believers
of al their sins. It is the occasion when God incorporates
them into Jesus Christ and instills the Holy Spirit in them.” - John D Castelein
Baptist congregationalists view of baptism
Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ performed once as the initiation of such a believer into the community of believers, the church. . . .The only ones who receive baptism are those who hear the gospel and believe.” - Thomas J. Nettles
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins; and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“‘For (as used in Acts 2:38 “for the forgiveness”) could
have two meanings. If you saw a poster saying ‘Jesse James wanted for robbery’, ‘for’ could mean Jesse is wanted so he can commit a robbery, or is wanted
because he has committed a robbery.
IF BAPTISM IS NOT NECESSARY FOR SALVATION, THEN WHY IS IT SO CLOSELY LINKED WITH SALVATION
1 Peter 3:21
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[a] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
This verse is actually a denial that the physical act of baptism has any saving effect. Rather it is the appeal to God for a good conscience through faith in Christ.
Baptism is closely linked with salvation in some
passages because in the NT as 1 Peter 3:21 indicates, people often, but not always, expressed their faith for the first time as they were being baptized.
In the NT, people were baptized immediately
Acts 22:16
Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized,
and wash away your sins, calling on His name.
Acts 2:41;
So then, those who had received his
word were baptized; and that day there were
added about three thousand souls.
8:36-38
As they went along the road they came to
some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?
And Philip said, “If you believe with all your
heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they
both went down into the water, Philip as well as
the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, or the recieving of the Holy Spirit, or the remission of sins.
People received the holy spirit without and before being baptised with water.
Acts 10
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
The thief on the cross received salvation through repentance and confession of faith, without being baptized by water.
Luke 23: 39-43
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was [a]hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the [b]Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving [c]what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
3 Reasosn Infant baptism is NOT biblical
A. Most passages that speak of households being baptized also speak of them all believing:
1 Corinthians 1:16; 16:15; Acts 16:14-15.
Acts 16:32-34;
16:31—Then they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
16:32—And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.
16:33—And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was
baptized, he and all his household.
16:34—And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly,
having believed in God with his whole household.
B. Many who baptize infants compare it to
circumcision in the Old Testament.
Colossians 2:11-12—And in Him you were also
circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
However, this text says nothing about baptizing
infants, only males were baptized in the Old
Testament, and this text (like many others) mentions that faith is the means by which we are saved.
C. There is not one record of an infant being baptized in the New Testament.
