THE DESIGN OF WATER BAPTISM - LESSON 6

TAKE A QUIZ

Do we need to be baptized to be saved? Yes No

Almost every denomination practices something that it calls baptism (the Quakers and some hyper-dispensational Calvinist groups are the notable exceptions). However, while there is wide acceptance of it, there is great diversity in conviction regarding its purpose or design. Many sects accept it as wholly symbolic, the outward sign of an accomplished salvation. Others contend that it is a sacrament administered by the Church necessary for the removal of Adamic sin. Still others accept it as essential for Church membership but non-essential for salvation.

The purpose of this study is to simply learn the purpose or design of water baptism. It shall attempt to answer questions concerning who should be baptized and why.

MARK 16:15–16

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

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COMMENTARY

Whom did Jesus command to be baptized? What was the purpose for which He gave this commandment? Consider what some say about baptism contrasted with what the text really says: (1) Quakers say: “He that believes and is not baptized shall be saved.” (2) Catholics say: “He that does not believe and is baptized shall be saved.” (3) Universalists say: “He that doesn’t believe and is not baptized will be saved.“ (4) Baptists say: “He that believes and is saved may be baptized upon a vote.” (5) The Bible says: “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.”

1/12

I PETER 3:21

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

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COMMENTARY

The waters of the flood were the means by which God brought Noah into a saved relationship (Genesis 7:7) by destroying the wickedness of which they had once been a part (2 Peter 3:6). Corresponding to that, baptism brings the believing penitent into the kingdom of God’s dear Son purging his conscience of sin through the remedial work of Christ (Hebrews 9:14).

2/12

ACTS 22:16

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

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COMMENTARY

Saul’s sins were washed away after he was baptized. Saul was not saved on the road to Damascus, or while praying in Simon’s house. The Lord said he would be told what he “must” do in Damascus (Acts 9:6). The only thing that Ananias told Saul that he had not already heard from the Lord is the command given to him in this text (cf. Acts 22:13-15 and Acts 26:16-18).

3/12

EPHESIANS 5:25–27

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

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COMMENTARY

What does Christ use in order to sanctify and cleanse the Church? It is water through the word. The only water that comes through the Word is the water of baptism.

4/12

1 CORINTHIANS 6:9–11

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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COMMENTARY

Paul says that the Corinthians were sinners alienated from the kingdom of God before their washing, justification and sanctification. Baptism is the only washing in the New Testament associated with the cleansing of sin.

5/12

TITUS 3:4–5

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

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COMMENTARY

We are saved by the “washing of regeneration” which is the “renewing of the Holy Ghost.” We have just learned that the only washing connected with salvation is water baptism.

6/12

JOHN 3:1-8

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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COMMENTARY

Jesus identifies two agents in the “new birth,” water and the Holy Spirit (3:3, 5). The water of the text is not the “water” (amniotic fluid) of physical birth (3:6). It is not the Holy Spirit (it is water and the Holy Spirit, 3:5). The only water associated with salvation is the water of baptism (I Peter 3:21).

7/12

ROMANS 6:3–4

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

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COMMENTARY

There are three things which this text asserts: (1) baptism stands between the believer and Christ; (2) baptism stands between the sinner and the death of Christ; (3) baptism stands between the old man of sin and being raised to walk in newness of life. Therefore, what is the condition of the unbaptized man? He is without Christ; he is estranged from the blood of Christ, and he is dead in his past sins.

8/12

COLOSSIANS 2:11–12

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

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COMMENTARY

In baptism there is a spiritual operation performed by Jesus Christ–– “the circumcision made without hands.” Before baptism we possess the body of the sins of the flesh, in baptism that body of sins is cut off through faith when we are buried and raised with Christ. Before baptism we are dead in our sins, after baptism we are dead to sin and alive in Christ (cf. Colossians 3:1).

9/12

GALATIANS 3:26–27

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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COMMENTARY

Prior to baptism we were “under sin” (Galatians 3:22). However, we became “children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” when we were baptized into Christ. We are “in Christ” when we are “baptized into Christ” which is when we “put on Christ.” This may be illustrated after this fashion: Jeff is in the jacket when Jeff puts on the jacket by slipping Jeff into the jacket. Similarly, we are in Christ when we put on Christ by being baptized into Christ.

10/12

ACTS 2:36-38

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “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.

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COMMENTARY

Here are men that were convicted in their hearts that Jesus of Nazareth was the crucified, resurrected, glorified Son of God and Saviour of the world. What were these believers told to do? Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Repentance and baptism are joined together. Whatever their repentance was “for“ baptism was “for.” Both are “for” remission of sins, salvation. They were not baptized because they were already saved any more than they repented because they were already saved (cf. Matthew 26:28).

11/12

MATTHEW 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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COMMENTARY

It is Jesus, the Son of God that commanded water baptism. He is the Saviour of those that obey Him (Hebrews 5:8–9). Notice only those that are taught the Gospel can be baptized (cf. Mark 16:15,16). In addition, notice, baptism is not the final step in our life of commitment to Christ––rather it is the initiatory rite of the new life (Romans 6:4-7). However, the most compelling aspect of the text is the statement that baptism is in or into “the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” In water baptism we are brought into a relationship with the Godhead. We are not in God, in Christ or in the Spirit apart from being baptized into the name.

12/12

Completed!

CLICK TO BEGIN LESSON 7 - ARE WE STILL UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW?

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