WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT BAPTISM
Ephesians 4:4-5 There is…..one baptism.
1. WHICH ONE?
a) Before we talk about this issue we need to understand several things first.
1) There is more than just water baptism in the Bible– Matt 3:11, 20:17-23, Heb 6:2, Heb 9:10.
2) The word “baptized” or “baptism” does not mean being immersed into water – An act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named…. Immersed, submersion.
3) Water baptism did not begin with John or the NT – John 1:25, Heb 9:10 – Exo 29:4, Lev 8:6, Num 19, Psalm 51:7.
b) A failure to not understand the above is the reason for a lot of the controversy surrounding this topic.
c) I believe every Christian needs to be baptized… Eph 4:3-6 the question is with which baptism? – Heb 9:10? Mark 1:4? Matt 3:11? Matt 20:23? 1Cor 12:13?
2. CLARIFYING THE BAPTISMS
a) There are 3 things that are present at every baptism. 1)A baptizer. 2)Something to be baptized with/into (Identified with). 3)A purpose for the baptism.
b) OT washings – Heb 9:10 – Baptizers = Moses/Priest/clean person. Baptizing with = Water. For the purpose of = Purification/cleansing – Exo 30:17-21, Lev 8:6, 15:1-13, 17:15-16, Num 8:5-7, 19:14-21, Deut 23:10-11, 2Kings 5:9-10,
c) Johns baptism – Matt 3:2 – Baptizer = John the Baptist – Baptizing with = Water. For the purpose of = remission of sins/purification – Matt 3:5-6, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, John 3:23-26. To identify the Christ – Matt 3:3, John 1:25-37. To identify true Israel – Matt 3:7-13, 21:23-27. To prepare the way of the Lord – Isaiah 35:8, John 1:19-23, Mark 1:2-3, Isaiah 40:3, Mal 3:1. Priest had to be washed – Exo 30:17-21 – Israel would be a kingdom of priest – Exo 19:5-6, 1Peter 2:9.
d) Jesus Baptisms:
1) Mark 1:9 – Baptizer = John the Baptist. Matt 3:13, Mark 1:9. Baptized with = Water – Matt 3:16. For the purpose of = Fulfilling all righteousness – Matt 3:13-16, 5:17-18, Luke 2:21, Isaiah 53:12, 2Cor 5:21.
2) Luke 12:50 - Baptizer = Jesus/God/unbelieving Jews – John 10:17-18, Phil 2:7-8, Matt 26:39-42, Act 2:36, 3:14-15. Baptized with = Sufferings/Death – Matt 20:20-23, Luke 24:26, Acts 3:18, Luke 9:30, John 19:28. For the purpose of = Fulfilling the prophets/dying for sins – Luke 24:44, John 19:30, Heb 2:9, 10:10…. Later revealed that he was a ransom for all – 2Cor 2:7-8, 1Tim 2:6.
