BAPTISM - NYOBS 30.13

RABBIT TRAIL FROM NYOBS 30.02 - CIRCUMCISION

Baptism – Rabbit Trail

• As a SIGN of their commitment to God, the Jews were circumcised to show that they were different from all the other nations. It was not the outward symbolization of circumcision that made them a Jew; but it was their inward CHANGE of heart. - Although it is not a command, we see Gentiles today desiring to be circumcised; mostly at birth by their parents
• The use of water is a physical sign of baptism and is the public “symbol” witnessing to our “change” and commitment to God, much like the symbol of circumcision is an outward and inward change to the Jew. 
• Water had a heavy symbolism of purity and was used in purification rites. There are two similar words in Greek for Baptize; Bapto meaning to dip or immerse and the other Baptizo meaning a change that has taken place by some means. The latter was used most of the time in the scriptures.
• Before Jesus came on the scene, John was using water baptism as the symbol of a person’s testimony of “repenting of sin” and their changed life.  They certainly knew the story of Noah’s family being saved by being raised up above the waters in the ark and the Israelites being saved by deliverance through the waters of the Red Sea.
• Faith in Jesus Christ is the necessary condition to receive baptism - baptism is a sacramental SIGN of new life through and in Christ.  Baptism is symbolic of “CHANGE”; we die to our old life and are “born again” to a new life.
• JUST PLAIN WRONG - Early on in the church, it was not IF you were baptized, but WHO baptized you. – They had lost sight of the TRUE symbolism of baptism. – Paul said, “WHO” had nothing to do with it – it’s the baptism into the resurrection of Jesus Christ that counts
• There are actually two baptisms – One of WATER that washes the dirt from the body and one of the SPIRIT which washes the dirt from the heart.
• Born of Water is when a baby is born and the mother’s water breaks.
• Born of Spirit is when we have a spiritual birth and something is born on the inside of us.
• Scripture teaches that the thief on the cross was NOT baptized, but yet was saved.
• We are saved through Faith and His Grace - While Water Baptism does not save, it is the New Covenant sacrament of confession. - If you do not CONFESS it, you do not POSSESS it.  NYOBS 03.07 Baptism
• That brings us to the BAPTISM of the HOLY SPIRIT and the gifts of the Spirit which is another whole Word Study – NYOBS 20.36 - 06.08 - 08.12

1 Cor 1:12-17 – Contention - Who baptized you

12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,

15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. NIV

John 3:5-6 – Two Baptisms – Water and Spirit

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. NIV

1 Peter 3:21-22 - It saves you by the Resurrection of Jesus

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good 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. NIV

Luke 23:42-43 – You will be with me in Paradise

42 Then he (the thief on the cross) said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." NIV

Matt 28:19 – THE GREAT COMMISSION – Baptize them

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. NIV

In the multitude of counselors,

 there is wisdom.

Prov 11:14

I am grateful for those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further than I otherwise ever could have.

Annotated Reference Bible – Dake

Apocrypha; The – Edgar J. Goodspeed

Bible Almanac; The – Packer Tenny White

Bible Dictionary – Harper & Row

God without Religion - Andrew Farley

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Naked Gospel; The – Andrew Farley

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Zondervan

Thru The Bible Commentary – J. Vernon McGee

Victor Journey through the Bible; The – V. Gilbert Beers