S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. Just before His ascension, Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Fath...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Brandon Hughes Supporter Regular Worker Guy

Luther's Small Catechism:

IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

First.

What is Baptism?--Answer.

Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

Which is that word of God?--Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Secondly.

What does Baptism give or profit?--Answer.

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God? Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


Thirdly.

How can water do such great things?--Answer.

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.


Fourthly.
What does such baptizing with water signify?--Answer.

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?--Answer.

St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

October 15 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

There is only 1 baptism, and it is of and by the Spirit upon having faith, not by man with water:

1 Cor 12:13
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

Eph 1:12-13
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

Eph 4:5
" One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"

1 Cor 1:14-17
"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

1 Tim 1:16
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

Col 2:10-14
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

Consider the following based on the above scripture:

1. Paul was not sent to baptize.
2. There is only 1 baptism (which is by the Spirit).
3. Paul was "first" and the "pattern" to believers "hereafter" him.
4. Christ removed ALL "ordinances" by "nailing it to His cross".

Who received instruction that "water baptism" was a requirement for salvation, after the completeness we have through faith in Christ was revealed to Paul? Even Peter later admits that it is not about "water":

1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

Proponents of water baptism desire glory in their/your flesh, negating the finished work of Christ on the cross for us. Replace the word "circumcised" with "water baptism" while reading the below verses to better understand Paul's point on things we do in the flesh believing that they please God:

Gal 6:12-15
"As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."

Col 2:20-23
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Salvation is the gift obtained by having faith alone. Any work of the flesh (i.e. water baptism) does not count (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 4:4).

October 22 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Salem Markus Purba Supporter

Christian baptism, as Jesus Christ commanded his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew 28: 16-20, is the fulfillment of God's promises, prophesied by prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36: 25-38).

Jewish people were familiar with these passages in the book of prophet Ezekiel, and they were baptized by John the Baptist after confessing their sins. (Matthew 3: 5-17).

If we meditate on the passages in Ezekiel 36: 25-38, we can make a conclusion that baptism means born again, born of water and the Spirit (Matthew 3: 11-12;John 3: 1-15).

Since Christian baptism means born again, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he/she is born again/baptized. (John 3: 3; Mark 16: 15-16).

August 20 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Frederick Bryant Supporter

Baptism is required of believers and it must be understood that only believers can be baptized, symbolic to being buried with Christ and then resurrected with him and walk in the in the life of life in Christ.

As to infantile baptism, we can not justify their baptism as they have no knowledge of right or wrong. They may be blessed and dedicated unto God as a child as our parents vow to raise us up in the nurture and admonition the Lord. That's just giving back to God that which he has given unto us. Baby baptism is not biblical. Only believer sin the New Testament can be baptized.

January 07 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tom Coupland Supporter

In 1Peter 3:20-22, I read the following: 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Along other scriptures Acts 2:41 and Acts 8 mentioned above it seems the act of baptism is crucial for salvation. Rather than being just a thing to do to show obedience.

The 3000 that responded to Peter at Pentecost were all believers in God, since they were Jews, so Peter didn’t need to say believe, just repent and be baptized. Anyone who is not a Christian today cannot in the same way claim a belief in God. So I see it as a package deal. Upon instruction in the Word, people come to believe, in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit and in repentance and in baptism. It is all or nothing, surely, that is salvation.

July 05 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report