What The Bible Says – Sprinkling, Pouring or Immersion

What the Bible Says …..

Sprinkling, Pouring or Immersion?

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” Mark 16:15.

Paul through the Holy Spirit wrote that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). The religious world today promotes several types of baptism. Which baptism is THE baptism Paul described?

The Bible clearly states that baptism involved water. John baptized in Aenon because there was much water (John 3:2). When Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:16), He came straight up out of the water. When Philip taught the official from Egypt, the official said, “Here is water. What is to keep me from being baptized?” (Acts 8: 37). After the baptism, they both came up out of the water (Acts 8:39).

The Bible clearly states that baptism is a burial. Paul declares, “We are buried with him by baptism” (Romans 6:4). He repeats this fact in Colossians 2:12 when he writes that we are to be buried with Christ.  Our sinful selves must be buried with Him, encountering His blood (Revelation 1:5) and having our sins removed (Acts 22:16). The Greek word for ‘baptism’ is ‘baptizo’ which means immersion.

Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to those who obey (Hebrews 5:9). Who do you trust for your eternal salvation–Jesus or religious leaders who have changed the meaning of baptism hundreds of years after Jesus’ life?

At Brown Trail church of Christ, we strive to do Bible things in Bible ways. If God said baptism was a burial, then that settles it! Please feel free to contact any of our elders and deacons if you have a question about baptism, or your salvation.

What The Bible Says – About Baptism

What the Bible Says…..

About Baptism

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”2 Tim. 1:10.

Since Jesus took away the keys of sin and death from Satan (Revelation 1:18), a person can be reconciled and saved to God through the death and life of Jesus (Romans 5:10).  Reconciliation and salvation are there for those who obey.

In Romans 6:3-6, 17-18 we can read of the gospel message, which teaches us how to obtain salvation.  The Bible teaches here that baptism is a burial with Christ, which crucifies our old man of sin with him and then once baptized one arises a new creature in Christ!  What a blessed message!  We in our sins, sins that have separated us from God, can have our sins washed away (Acts 2:38) when we come in contact with the precious blood our of Savior in baptism (Revelation 1:5).

Though there are many teachings on baptism today, only one teaching is authorized and from God.  That is: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned,” Mark 16:15.  In John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  In Acts 2:38, on the day of Pentecost Peter through the Spirit said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

It is written “whereunto even baptism doth also now save us,” 1 Peter 3:21.  Please feel free to contact one of the members of the congregation here is you have any questions about the Biblical truths of baptism.

The Design of Baptism

Baptism is a subject of much contention in the religious world these days. Many who claim to be Christians deny that baptism has any part in the salvation process. Let’s examine some passages dealing with baptism that will give us a clearer picture of God’s will on this matter.

John 3:5 — “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” In this conversation with the wise Nicodemus, Jesus Himself linked baptism in water to spiritual rebirth. Notice that “water” is not the placental fluid associated with childbirth, as some have alleged, for such, would make Jesus sound like an ignoramus. This view has Jesus saying, “Except a man first exist, and then be born of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Neither is the water under discussion the Spirit Himself, for that would have Jesus saying, “Except a man be born of Spirit and the Spirit…” Make no mistake: the “water” in view here is literal. The word “except” sets conditions that afford men no alternative. One who is not born of water and the Spirit will not inherit eternal life.

Mark 16:16 — “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Obviously, Jesus intended His followers to understand that baptism plays a role in the salvation process. Here, the Lord inextricably links belief with baptism by the conjunction, “and.” In other words, salvation does not take place until both of these conditions are met! Notice that baptism is not mentioned in the second clause, “he who does not believe will be condemned.” This is called an ellipsis. Part of the preceding phrase was left out because it was not necessary for Jesus to repeat it. An analogy to this type of statement might be, “He who buys a ticket and boards the airplane will fly to Memphis; He who does not buy a ticket will stay in Dallas.” Obviously, boarding the airplane is a vital part of flying to Memphis, and yet that part of the clause is left out of the second phrase. Likewise, baptism is a vital part of our obedient response to God’s grace, but without belief, baptism is mere, “getting wet.”

Acts 2:38 — “Repent ye, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” On Pentecost, Peter preached a magnificent sermon that convinced many of the Jews that they had in fact crucified the Son of God (cf. Acts 2:14-36). Notice that the listeners already believed in Jesus’ identity (Acts 2:37), and now asked the important question, “what shall we do?” Peter does not tell these people to, “believe,” because they already do! By inspiration, Peter does tell the entire crowd, “ye [you all] repent.” Then the apostle says, “let each one of you be baptized for [unto, for the purpose of] the remission of sins.” The word, “for” in this sentence is the Greek word, “eis,” and always looks forward to the action being accomplished. The same word is used by Jesus in Matthew 26:28, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for [“eis”; for the purpose of] the remission of sins.” Thus, Acts 2:38 should leave no doubt in our minds: baptism in water is commanded by God as the culmination of an alien sinner obediently turning to Christ.
Baptism is described as a new birth (John 3:5), a part of the plan of salvation (Mark 16:16), and the avenue to access Christ’s blood (Acts 2:38; Matt 26:28). May all men everywhere have the wisdom and humility to see God’s will concerning this vital subject!

The Amazing Grace of God – Part 2

The Amazing Grace of God – Part 2

For many years, we have heard false teachers proclaim there is nothing anyone can do to obtain salvation. However, when one studies the Bible, you can see a different proclamation. When Saul of Tarsus wanted to be made right with God. He asked Jesus, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6. “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Jesus declared there was something for Saul to do. There was something for Saul to do to have his sins washed away, and the Lord had plans for him after his sins were remitted. What we should note here, is Jesus didn’t tell Saul there was nothing to do. Do we read where Jesus said something like, “Since you now acknowledge me as Lord there is nothing to do to have your sins remitted.” No! In obedience to the instruction given to him, Saul, was immersed in order for his sins to cleansed by the blood of Christ, (That is, by the grace of God.) Acts 22:16; 9:18. And that is exactly what he reported in Acts 22:16.

When are men saved by the grace of God? We are saved by the grace of God, only when our faith leads us as penitent believers to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, Acts 2:37-38. Obeying the commands of Christ unto salvation, is not a salvation by meritorious works. Such is not “Water salvation,” or “Salvation by human merit” as some would claim. It is salvation by the grace of God. “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized,” Acts 2:40-41. There is no denying that salvation is impossible to obtain through meritorious works of the sinner. However, there is no denying that if we love Jesus we will obey Him, John 14:15, and “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12. So, there is clearly some sense in which we are required to act in regard in order to obtain salvation. The Bible is indeed clear; salvation is not by grace alone.