INTRODUCTION: Having identified God’s remnant church, the true follower of Jesus will want to know how to join it. Jesus said, “Other sheep I have who are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock.” (John 10:16) Generally, one joins the church through baptism. Those who previously have been baptized may join by receiving Jesus as absolute Lord of the life and accepting the Biblical principles upon which the church is built and being rebaptized as indication of their new commitment to walk with Christ. In this lesson, we will learn the meaning and importance of baptism, as well as the way Jesus showed it should be administered. 1. What two things are involved in being born again? John 3:5 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: It takes two things to make a good marriage - love AND a legal ceremony. There are also two aspects to the new birth: The spiritual part is our new, love-relationship with Jesus; and the official part is baptism, where we publicly pledge ourselves to Him. Both are called for in Scripture. 1John 5:4-6. 2. Through what process do we “put on Christ”? Galatians 3:27 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: “Baptism” is a Greek word meaning “to dip” or “immerse.” It was carried over into English in our Bibles, being made a “theological” term. To call sprinkling Baptism, as some churches do, is error and a misuse of the term. 3. What does baptism represent? Romans 6:3-5 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Immersion represents two things: 1) Our faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; and 2) our death to self, burial of our old habits of sin, and our resurrection to a new way of life in Jesus. - Colossians 2:11-13. 4. Why was Jesus baptized, and what was God’s response? Matthew 3:13-17 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Luke 3:21-22 5. Was Jesus sprinkled or immersed? Mark 1:10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: There is not a single instance of sprinkling or any form other than immersion for baptism in the New Testament. These other forms were substituted by non-inspired men after the death of the apostles and are unscriptural. 6. In the Old Testament, the animal sacrifices pointed to the death of Jesus. Were these sacrifices effectual without faith on the part of the worshiper? Hebrews 10:4 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Romans 9:31-32 7. In this respect, baptism is like these sacrifices. While baptism is necessary, can baptism itself, without faith, save us? Mark 16:16 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Baptizing infants is meaningless because they have no faith. An infant can be dedicated to the Lord, as Jesus was as a baby, but baptism is meaningful only when it expresses the believer’s faith. Hebrews 10:22; 11:6 8. At Pentecost, what did Peter tell the new converts to do? Acts 2:38, 41 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 9. What were the new converts “added” to when they were baptized? Acts 2:41, 47 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 10. What symbol represents the church? Ephesians 1:22-23 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Colossians 1:18, 24 11. What are we baptized into? 1Corinthians 12:13 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 12. What is given to those who are baptized? 1Corinthians 12:7-12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Everyone receives the gift of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and some gift for service in God’s work and His church. - Romans 12:4-11. 13. What are we to do with these gifts after we are baptized? John 15:2, 8 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Proverbs 11:30 14. What was the last commission of Jesus to His disciples? Matthew 28:18-20 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 15. On one occasion, what did Paul do to those who had been baptized before learning all of the Gospel? Acts 19:3-5 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 16. What else should accompany baptism? Acts 19:5-6 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: This anointing for the baptism of the Spirit is distinct from and an extra measure of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Question 12 of this study. The gift of the Spirit comes the moment we place our faith in Christ Jesus. The baptism of the Spirit is the same as received by Jesus when He began His ministry (Acts 10:38) and which each of us must have in order to do the service of the Lord 17. After we have identified ourselves with Christ in His death and resurrection, signifying our “old man” is crucified with Him thus indicating the body of sin has been destroyed, what should then be true of us? Romans 6:6 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Jesus said, “Whosoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father.” (Matthew 10:32) Once God gives us the opportunity to develop a faith-relationship with Jesus, and then as we learn how to publicly confess that relationship through baptism by immersion, salvation is conditional upon our obedience. Would you like to request baptism today and begin to prepare for that wonderful event? And while you are preparing for baptism, will you pray that God will show you what gifts he has given you to be used in service for Him and His church? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS: □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net