BAPTISM ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES - By Min. Samuel Okon - TopicsExpress

BAPTISM ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES - By Min. Samuel Okon (JP) Introduction There have been a lot of debates concerning the issue of baptism. While some Christian denominations teach that baptism is not essential for salvation, others maintain that there are many types of baptism. Others still believe that baptism is a form of exorcism from evil spirit. But in this lesson focus will be on “what is baptism?” Is baptism essential for salvation? And how many baptism are there?’’ Discussion Baptism is from a Greek word “baptize” meaning “to immerse”, “to bury” or “to overwhelm”. It must be stressed here that baptism is immersion, not sprinkling or pouring. In Act 8:26-39, the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch is stated. Philip preached unto him Jesus, and when they came unto certain water, the Eunuch said “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” immediately after the Eunuch’s confession both of them (i.e. Philip and the Eunuch) went down into the water. If sprinkling or pouring were acceptable practices, there would be no reason for Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch to go down into the water. Also, in the book of Romans 6:3-5, Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote; “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were baptized therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the death by the glory of the Father, we might walk into newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in resurrection like His.” Therefore from the above passages it is evident that baptism is associated with much water, and besides, it must be an immersion. Is baptism essential for salvation? In the book of Mark 16:15, 16, Jesus before His ascension into heaven, instructed His disciples concerning the great commission thus “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Immediately after these words Jesus ascended into heaven and these words will remain valid until His second coming. Therefore if Christ had said that baptism is essential to our salvation and that we must be baptized to be saved, then let me and every other bearer of God’s word adhere to and preach what Jesus had instructed. Also in 1 Peter 3:21 “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 clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This passage adds credence to the fact that baptism indeed is essential for salvation. How many baptisms do we have? The new testament talks basically about two types of baptism which are the Holy Spirit baptism, promised and fulfilled by Jesus (Matthew 3:11; John 16:7,8; Acts 2) and the water baptism of the great commission (Mark 16:15, 16; Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, since Jesus had fulfilled His promise of the Holy Spirit baptism to His apostles, there is now only one baptism which is water baptism by immersion (Ephesians 4:5). There is nothing in the Bible that authorize pouring, sprinkling, flag waving, fire jumping as baptism, all these are human thinking and innovations which are contrary to the word of God. Conclusion Please be wise, get baptized the right way so you can gain eternal life.