What is Scriptural Baptism?
Who is to be baptized?
Taught persons: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19)
Believing persons: "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you..." (Acts 2:38)
Confessing persons: " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37) The confession is to be made before men. (Matt 10:32) It is to be made with the mouth. (Rom 10:10)
Teaching, faith, repentance and confession are all prerequisites for being baptized. No one can reverse this order. Infant baptism is to no avail.
What is the proper method of baptism: immersion, pouring or sprinkling? Below is the New Testament record:
- Acts 8:36 Water
- John 3:23 Much water
- Acts 8:36 A going unto the water
- Acts 8:38 A going down into the water
- Acts 8:38-39 That both baptizer and the baptized went down into the water
- Rom 6:4 A burial
- Col. 2:12 A burial
- John 3:5 A birth
- Heb 10:22 Body washed
- Acts 8:39 & Matt 3:16 A coming up out of the water.
The use of sprinkling for baptism was not "legalized" by the catholic church until 1311 A.D. It came about mostly to baptize the bed ridden.
Baptism is not just something that is good if you choose to do it. It is a command to all people who want to follow Christ. Christ, even though He was without sin, set the example by being baptized to start his ministry. He said the reason He was doing it was to "fulfill all righteousness". (Matthew 3:13-15) We too can not begin our ministry of a Christian life until we obey Christ by answering His call to be immersed into His name.
