STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

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5/29/2011 ~ What Makes Your Baptism Valid?


"He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
but he who does not believe will be condemned." ~ Mark 16:16

If one argues what Jesus Himself has said, doubt outweighs belief.
Jesus did not say, "He who believes and is not baptized will be saved."

BELIEVE + BAPTIZED = SAVED

In the first century, baptism was believed necessary as part of salvation.
It has since been removed as necessary and is even contested by many.
With so many scriptures alluding to the necessity of baptism for salvation,
it is hard to conceive how anyone would deny the significance of baptism.

There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21

The Bible includes examples of the urgency that it be done.

"... what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ..."
~ Acts 2:36-38

'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized,
and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16

BAPTIZED = SINS WASHED AWAY

Today certificates are given.
* CERTIFICATE OF BAPTISM *

This Certifies that ____________________________
was recieved into the Holy Christian Church.
at ________________________________________
on _____________________, in ________________.

     Administering Pastor _______________________.
     Sponsors: _______________________________.

Form # 1x2y3z, Faith Press
Baptisms can not be mimeographed.

CERTIFICATES?
Does it match up with New Testament Scripture?
~ Into the spirit of truth?

... hearing, believed and were baptized. ~ Acts 18:8

                                                 ┌─> Cognitive act.
Baptism is instructed as a voluntary act.
                                         └─> To admit having a sinful nature in the face of God.

... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ...
~ 1st Corinthians 15:9-26
↑
Absolute belief in the Son of God and His Grace.

Come to yourself.

1) Convicted of Sin
2) Believe → He is the way and the truth.
3) Repent → Want to change from wicked practices.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, ...
~ 2nd Corinthians 7:10

GODLY SORROW = REPENTANCE = SALVATION

... Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? ...
~ John 3:1-7
                                                                          ┌─> Higher order of knowing.
Nicodemus – Physical – Spiritual
                              └─> Change of will.

"... not My will, but Yours, be done." ~ Luke 22:42
⭩
To do His will, not your own.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized
into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ... ~ Romans 6:3-11

To put off the “Old Man”
⭩               
4) Confession
2) Believe → He is the way and the truth.
We don’t know what’s in the mind of man unless he tells us.
What is the enduring confession of one’s heart?
What do you stand for?
What do you live for?

ENDURES TO THE END = SAVED

"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~ Matthew 24:13

So too, God is and has told us to hear His truths.
This is presented in His Given Word.

CONFESS + BELIEVE = SAVED

... that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ... ~ Romans 10:9-10
↑
This is the power by which I am saved.
Loyalty to God’s way through Jesus Christ.
To believe in all that Christ is and what He has called us for.
Not in the ways man explains, - what God Himself has announced!

... "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." ... ~ Romans 10:11-12

● I believe it is God’s way to be saved.
● It is not by self-righteousness, showing off to others.
● Because I believe in God’s power through Jesus Christ.

The how to is given in His Word.
It is our choice to be in submission to His Power or not.

● It has been done for God.
● If it is done for others, it is an invalid baptism.
● It is to join in God, not in man.

Human approval is not the same as God’s approval.

... There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ~ 1st Corinthians 12:3-4

One Spirit calls to each.
Baptism is a commitment of spirit.
One’s truth comes from God and not from men.

... For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ...
~ 1st Corinthians 12:11-14

... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, ...
~ Ephesians 4:4-6

There is only One belief, the same truth abides forever.

THE DEPTH OF TRUTH
Convicted of Sin
Believe
Repent
Confession
Baptism

... "The Lord knows those who are His," ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:19

Follow Him or men, He will know.

                                ┌─> Complied with the truth.
... shall be able to separate us from the love of God which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

What you believe and how you obey is what makes baptism valid or not.

... "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said,
"Into John's baptism." ~ Acts 19:3-5
└─> Invalid.                               

┌─> False practice.
... "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas,"
or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:11-15

                                                                       ┌─> Thinking.
One needs to correct one’s ways of living.
Baptism involves faith, not a phobia (fear).

... who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
~ 1st Timothy 2:4

All scripture has to be taken into account
and not just isolated selected scriptures.

"... Repent, and believe in the gospel." ~ Mark 1:14-15

REPENT + BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

SANCTIONED BAPTISMS ARE FOUND
IN THE WRITTEN WORD,
NOT IN THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF MAN.

As always, Thanks to my extraordinary brother in Christ, Carl Lungstrum.



 

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