The Truth About Baptism
Baptism has always been debated over and over again by the masses of people. I say to you my brothers and sisters that if you read the scriptures and forget about doctrines and what men say. You will see the truth. I really do not understand why the simplest things have become so hard to understand. The Bible teaches that if you can find it in one place, you can find it in another. Line must be upon line and precept must be upon precept! Out of the mouth of two or more witness let every word be established!
I have come to understand that not everyone understands the word of God. For instance the word Easter appears in the bible in Acts 12:4. But does this mean that we celebrate Easter as a Holy holiday? I think not! Easter is a Pagan holiday; it has nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus the Christ. Now Passover appears in the New Testament over 28 times. Why is it that today here in America, this so called Christian nation, celebrates pagan holidays? We should be remembering the Passover just like the Bible teaches. Jesus told His disciples to:
MATTHEW 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The question is how did the disciples do this? I mean they were taught by the Master Himself! The Lord Jesus Christ. I think they understood what Jesus meant. Do you know how I know? By watching and reading what they did!
Example: you cannot find one person in the scriptures that was Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost! However, you can find thousands of disciples being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I mean thousands! Not only just that but you can also find it in more than one place. We are buried with Him by Baptism into death.
ROMANS 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Allow me to give you scriptural proof of this coming from the King James Version of the Bible:
ACTS 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
ACTS 8:15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
ACTS 8:16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
ACTS 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
ACTS 10:47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
ACTS 10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
ACTS 19:5
When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
I 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:
Wow! And I can go on with this for hours on end. So what is the problem? I tell you what the problem is, disobedient! It has always been the problem with the people of God! It’s sad! The scriptures are clear, they are clear that Jesus is the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost! I would suggest that people should study the scriptures day and night until you believe them and not what man has told you. Could this also be the very reason why many have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance? We see what Jesus said, but we also see what His Apostles, the brothers who walked with Him ate with him and slept with Him understood and did. Again, they knew that Jesus was God. So they did baptize in His name.
JOHN 20:27
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
JOHN 20:28
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Let there be no controversy about weather should we be sprinkled, or have water poured on us, or be submerged completely in water. Opinions will come and go but the truth of God’s word will stand forever. To be baptized, you need to be submerged completely in water just like a dead person is buried in the grave.
JOHN 3:23
And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
MATTHEW 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
MATTHEW 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
MARK 1:9
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
MARK 1:10
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
MARK 1:11
And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
ACTS 8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
ACTS 8:39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
If you have been baptized as a infant without repentance you have not been baptized according to the teachings of the scriptures. Religion that defies the clear word of God is mans false teaching.
May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ rule in your hearts.
Charles Dowell, Jr.
Pastor
