Baptism

There is a very well Known saying. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

This statement I am sure that you'd all agree is absolutely true, but I would like you to consider another statement of a similar nature.

A smell which seems as sweet as that of a rose does not necessarily emanate from a rose.

Let me illustrate. If I went into a shop to buy a Kettle. And the shopkeeper gave me a
( Jug ) and if when I told him, that I had always considered this to be a jug.
If he insisted that it was a kettle. Does that make it a kettle.

You see if I had never taken the time to examine what a kettle looked like, I might have considered the shopkeeper an expert on the subject, and bought a jug.

A silly illustration perhaps but it does serve to illustrate,
That if we do not know our subject we can be easily misled.

A kettle is a kettle is a kettle, (Not a Jug) In the same way as a rose is a rose is a rose.

And in the same way we need to realise that Christian Baptism, is Christian Baptism is Christian Baptism.

In other words if we are looking at Christian Baptism. It has a definition and that definition is only found in scripture,

To begin with we all know I'm sure that the Greek word Baptismos means to immerse, To dip into

But when we are looking at the question of Christian Baptism, we need to look a little further than the fact that to be baptised is to be totally immersed.

Because there are other baptisms by immersion which are not Christian baptisms
one of these of course which is mentioned in scripture is John's baptism.

In Acts 19: 2- 4 we read
That Paul found some disciples at Ephesus, and he said to them, "Did you receive the holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptised?" they said, Into John's baptism. And Paul said, "John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, That is, Jesus."

On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.

These verses obviously indicate the fact that it is possible to undergo a ceremony of immersion called baptism, Which is not Christian baptism.

There is an added extra ingredient here Which is.
"To be baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus."

There is another baptism mentioned in scripture. Which although it isn't the baptism we are considering today, I believe it right to give it a mention, because it is a baptism, for Christians. But Although it is mentioned in scripture many people today would deny it even exists

In Mark's Gospel Chapter 1: 8 John said
" I have baptised you with water; but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit"

And in Acts 1: 5 Luke tells us that Jesus himself said.
"For John baptised with water but before many days you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit."

If during the past two messages I have seemed to major on one particular kind of baptism, my purpose was to show that we need to consider all teaching that we receive in the light of the word of God. Which is, we are told. The word of truth.

And as we look at different passages of scripture, we begin to realize that for a Baptism to be truly Christian baptism according to Gods word. Particular elements are required to be present

There can be no doubt that in the early church the accepted pattern and practice for all new Converts was to be baptised

And the established method, Which it's very name dictates is by immersion.
( this does not rule out a symbolic washing where circumstances require it )

Another requirement as we've already noted is to be Baptised.
In the name of Jesus.

Jesus himself said in Matthew 28: 19: Go and make disciples,----- and Baptise them in the name of the, Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

If we read Acts chapter 2: 38 and verse 41 We find also that two more elements are required to be present.

Verse 38. And Peter said to them "Repent and be baptised everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Verse 41. "So those who received his word were baptised and there was added that day about 3000 souls."

So now we have four elements required before a Baptism can be considered truly Christian Baptism.

These four elements are, Receive the word. Repentance, Immersion,
And in the name of Jesus.

To Receive the word, Is to acknowledge it as true. To believe it.
Repentance, Is to turn around, To start going Gods way.

Without these two elements, Even to be Baptised in the name of Jesus is meaningless.

And according to Paul, as we've seen. If it's not in the name of Jesus then there is doubt as to whether the Holy Spirit is received.

As we consider this whole question of Baptism there are two questions which we need to answer.

Is baptism obligatory for Christians.? and

Is baptism necessary for salvation.?

Let us take the question of salvation first.
Luke in Chapter 19 : Vs.1-10. Tells us a story about a man called Zachaeus. Whom it is said received Jesus joyfully.
And in verse 9, We read, Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house". No mention here of Zachaeus being Baptised first.
And then there was the dying thief on the cross with Jesus, Who said to Jesus, "Remember Me when you come into your Kingdom". Jesus said to him,
"Today you will be with me in Paradise." No time to be baptised there.

Then of course there is John 3: v. 16. We read. " Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life". No mention of Baptism being necessary there either

If Baptism did bring with it a guarantee of eternal life, Then salvation becomes a matter of works, And not grace.

Which would be in direct opposition to the verses in Ephesians chapter 2: Vs. 8-9.
"For by Grace are we saved through faith; and this is not your own doing it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast".

If we conclude from these passages that Baptism is not necessary for salvation
Then the natural understanding might be, That neither is it obligatory.

But is that truly the case. let us consider it from a different angle.

Baptism along with the Lord's supper is a sacrament,
Some would say that these two are ordinances, And not sacraments.

Now a Sacrament is something that is instituted by Christ.
To be undertaken by his church.
And it's Described in My dictionary. As,
A visible sign introduced by Christ of an inward and spiritual Grace.

And an ordinance, Again described in my dictionary. Is,
An authoritative directive or decree, of the Church.

As we saw earlier in Matthew Chapter 28: v. 19 Jesus commands us to Baptise disciples.

And I am sure we don't need to be told that it was Jesus who instituted the Lords Supper.

Which as I understand it, Would make both of these sacraments.

If this is the case, Why is it?, That the many Christians who consider the partaking of the Lords Supper essential, Yet only consider Baptism as optional.

Surely.

Jesus would not have said go therefore and make disciples are all nations,
Baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
If he only meant it to be an option which we could choose to disregard.

The word "Sacrament" comes from the latin ' Sacramentum' which was an oath of allegiance taken by Roman soldier.

Which would seem to imply that to observe a Sacrament, Is to pledge a loyalty.

Christian Baptism is an act of dedicating one's life to Jesus.

So. If we decide that Baptism is desirable, or even necessary for Christians.

How soon after conversion do we consider it advisable to be baptised.?

On this question we have plenty of examples from the early Church to guide us.

The established pattern as we noted earlier, And also in previous messages was .
Hear the word, Acknowledge its truth, Repent, (Turn around) And be Baptised.

The Philippian Jailor heard the word and immediately was baptised.
The Ethiopian Eunuch heard the word and immediately was baptised.

There is within scripture a more tangible reason to be Baptised early in ones Christian life Than to just fulfil an established pattern,

Baptism is always a symbol of a new beginning.

Even John's baptism of repentance signalled the beginning,of a new lifestyle.

In Matthew Chapter 3 : vs. 13 - 17 Jesus himself considered it right to be Baptised,
At the beginning of his ministry.

And judging by the Lords command to us to make disciples and baptise them.
He obviously wanted us to submit to Baptism.
And by doing so identify ourselves with him.

Also in the old testament in Exodus Chapter 29 vs. 4 Aaron and his sons were ceremonialy washed before, they began in their role of priest.

We have examined up to this point what might be called the intellectual reasons for, considering baptism.

I'd like us to Look now at what I consider the more important reason for contemplating baptism. That is the spiritual aspect.

And to set the scene. Read what Paul has to say in Romans Chapter 6: 1-11.
" What shall we say, then? I shall we go on sinning, so that Grace may increase?. 2: By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?. 3: Or don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death?. 4: We were Therefore buried with him through baptism in to death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too may live a new life. 5: If we have been united with Him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6: For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be the slaves to sin 7: because any one who has died has been freed from sin.
8: Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9: For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. 10: The death he died, he died to sin once fought all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11: In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

I believe that in these 11 verses. There is a depth of meaning that few people realise,
Or even care to consider.

There are some positive statements made in these verses that can only be explained,
From a spiritual standpoint.

In the previous three chapters the apostle Paul had been dealing with a misrepresentation, of the gospel, Whether it was malicious or a genuine misunderstanding it's hard to say,

And yet I have met people nowadays who make the same silly statements that Paul had to deal with in those three chapters.

But it seems in Chapter 6 that Paul had decided to be blunt and to the point.
And seemed to be saying rather emphatically,

Don't you understand yet what it means to belong to Christ.

Verse 2. how can we who have died to sin. Still live in it.
Is this your experience, have you died to sin, does any sin in your life,
make you feel unclean.

look at verse 3
"don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death"

In a printed word it not possible to indicate a tone of voice, but I can imagine Paul saying

Don't you know. Haven't I explained it enough.

When (or If ) you were baptised, a spiritual link was created between you and Christ death. Through your Baptism, God has created a situation, whereby the fact that Christ died to deal with your sin, has become such a reality in your life.

That your sinful nature was actually buried with Him. verse 4.

You will note that these statements of Paul are positive. There is no maybe,or perhaps attached to them.

Continuing in verse four, so definite is the fact that our sinful nature has been dealt with, that we should be able to feel the change in our lives.

We should feel like new People

In Verses 5 & 6 Paul emphasizes what he has said in the previous two verses, by saying
If we have been united with him in a death like his.
If we are aware of this change in our lives.
The hope of our resurrection with him, will become a certainty.

Not only shall we have this assurance of our resurrection.
But nor shall we have any doubts about our old sinful nature being destroyed.

As if to drive this message home more securely to his hearers. Paul repeats these thoughts, in verses 7 to10 using slightly different words.

"7: because any one who has died has been freed from sin.
8: Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9: For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. 10: The death he died, he died to sin once fought all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."

Particular note should be taken of the beginning of Verse 8:
"Now if we died with Christ"

In verse 11. Paul sums up all what he has said with the words.

You MUST consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God.

The very wording of this passage suggests to me, that this is not something we need to struggle to achieve. But something that we must learn to accept, because God has arranged for it to be done for us in baptism.

Last week I mentioned that there are those who consider that God does a work in baptism without our knowledge or consent.

This passage to a degree would appear to suggest the same.
But whereas they say that God gives us salvation through baptism.
Making our Salvation Dependent on our being Baptised.

Which as we have seen in this study is contrary to scripture

I believe that this passage tells us, That in Baptism God gives us an assurance of a Salvation already received.

If in the light of this word on Baptism. There are any who have not yet been baptised, and have recognized, that there is a benefit in being Baptised.

I feel I must conclude with a word of warning. As I pointed out at the beginning of this word. There is only one Christian baptism. And to receive any benefits that Christian Baptism might bring,
The four elements mentioned earlier must be observed.

Our only reason in seeking Baptism, must be to glorify God by fulfilling his command.
And the desire in our hearts must be to follow him wherever he might lead us.

Baptism is a witness to the world that we have decided to follow Jesus

In Romans Chapter 10: 9-10 we read
"If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified and he confesses
with his lips and is saved.

May the Lord bless you