WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BAPTISM? II

The Significance of Baptism

This present writing is used not as a discussion so much as a compilation and entitling of the scriptures that have to do with baptism. You will get a comprehensive view from God's own presentation of the subject. The text is from the New International Version of the Bible, with  explanatory notes, as well as comments where the text seems to indicate the need.

A Freeing from Sin to Receive the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:37 - 38

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles 'Brothers, what shall we do?'
Peter replied 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that YOUR SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

A Portrayal of Believing to be Saved - Acts 16:29 - 33 

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.' Then thy spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that time of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Notes: This account indicates clearly that the act of baptism is a part of believing and it portrays the answer to the jailer's question 'What must I do to be Saved?'

A Coming into Christ - Acts 19:1-6 

While Apollos was at Corinth Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them 'Did you receive the Holy spirit when you believed?' They answered 'No, we have not even heard of that there is a Holy Spirit.' So Paul asked 'Then what baptism did you receive?' 'John's baptism' they replied. Paul said 'John's baptism was a baptism of repentance.' He told the people to 'believe in the One coming after him; that is, in Jesus'. On hearing this they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Notes: It is noteworthy that the special powers of the Holy Spirit were not received with the gift of the Spirit at Baptism, but came when Paul laid his hands on them in order to extend these special powers to them.

A Sanctification: Wash your sins away - Acts 22:12 -16; 9:18 

A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the Law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said 'Brother Saul, receive your sights!' And at that moment I was able to see him. Then he said to me 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.'

A Burial: A Resurrection to New Life - Romans 6:1b - 4; John 3:5 

We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ's Jesus were baptized into His death? We were, therefore, buried with Him, through baptism into 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.
Notes: The physical act of immersion pictures (portrays) the spiritual meaning (significance)

Joseph Khati



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