Lesson 10                                 

Peter commanded the crowd gathered in Jerusalem:

"Repent and be baptized every one of you...." But is Acts 2:38 relevant in the space age? Does God require baptism for one to become a Christian today?

Should we follow the many in rejecting a literal adherence to this biblical practice? How can you know whether any such custom is just a carryover of old-fashioned, anachronistic human ideas—or really what the Creator of heaven and earth truly wants His followers to practice today?

Is Baptism a Required Step?

This is a very good question.  What do you do when you, individually, come to recognize—as this first century group did—that you have been in rebellion against the laws and purposes of your Creator?

The preceding lesson made the necessity for repentance crystal clear.

This lesson will ask and answer such questions as: What is baptism? What is its biblical history? What is its purpose? What is its meaning for today’s twentieth-century man? Why is it indeed a vital step in achieving personal entrance into the Kingdom of God?

LESSON 10

The Deeply Symbolic Meaning of Baptism

1. How did Jesus Christ condemn sin in the flesh? Rom. 8:3-4; Heb. 4:15.

Why did He suffer death? I Cor. 15:3. What happened to His dead body? Verse 4; Rom. 8:11.

COMMENT: Christ "condemned" sin by living sinlessly through the power of the Holy Spirit. He died for our sins—His death paid the penalty of sin that we have incurred—and was buried. After three days He was "quickened"—that is, He was made alive, or given life—by God’s Spirit. His resurrection shows He triumphed over sin and death.

2. Is baptism symbolic of one’s death, burial and resurrection from a "grave"? Col. 2:12-13; Rom. 6:2-6. Also read the subsequent verses of Romans 6 up to and including verse 13.

COMMENT: Just as Christ died for our sins and was buried, our baptism— being plunged into a watery "grave"—is symbolic of the death and burial of our old sinful life. And as Christ was resurrected in newness of life, our coming up out of the waters of baptism is symbolic of our rising up from our "grave" to live a new life free from the guilt of past sins and the death penalty our sins incurred.

Baptism, then, pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It also pictures the death and burial of the sinner and his rising up to begin living a Christian life.

Let’s elaborate on the above a little further.

Going down into the water clearly pictures the death of Christ and our  old self. Likewise, being buried in the water pictures the burial of Christ, and of our old sinful life. And coming up out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection, and our coming up to walk henceforth "in newness of life"—in obedience to God’s laws. We now reckon ourselves as dead, so far as sin is concerned, but alive through God and His Son Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:11).

Baptism, in the final analysis, shows our total surrender to God. It symbolizes the complete burial of the old sinful self and our beginning a new life surrendered to the will and authority of God.

The Flood a Type of Baptism

1. After men had begun to multiply upon the face of the earth, did they sin grievously against God? Gen. 6:5, 11-12. Just how corrupt had mankind become in God’s sight? Same verses.

2. What did God say He would do to the earth’s population as a result of their incorrigible wickedness? Gen. 6:7. By what means of destruction? Verse 17.

COMMENT: Mankind had so completely corrupted itself that God had no other alternative but to put the entire human race out of its self-imposed misery—except for one man and his family.

3. Who, in that world of rampant sin, found grace in God’s sight? Gen. 6:8.

Why did God favor Noah? Verse 9. Also notice II Peter 2:5 compared with Psalms 119:172.

COMMENT: Noah "walked with God"—He obeyed the voice of God and preached obedience to God’s will. But no one would listen.

4. God told Noah to build an enormous vessel so he and his family could escape the great flood He would bring on rebellious mankind (Gen. 6:14-17). How did Noah demonstrate his belief—his faith—in God’s promise of salvation from the flood—the penalty of the world’s sins? Gen. 6:22; Heb. 11:7.

COMMENT: Many long, arduous and trying years were required to complete the ark. (Compare Genesis 5:32 with Genesis 7:11.) The pre-flood world had at least a century to repent of their sins before God sent this worldwide flood.

5. Does Noah’s escape from the tremendous flood—a watery "grave" for the sinning world—typify our deliverance from sin’s penalty through the symbolic meaning of water baptism? I Pet. 3:20-21.

COMMENT: Notice how the Revised Standard Version renders verses 20-21:

Noah was brought up out of the water that destroyed the sinful world and was saved physically. Today, we can be saved spiritually from the eternal penalty of sin—if we really believe Christ died for our sins and if we symbolically bury them in the waters of baptism.

Israel "Baptized" in the Sea

Another interesting Old Testament type pointing to New Testament baptism was the escape of Israel from Pharaoh and the bondage of Egypt.

• helpless and powerless under his taskmasters—just as a sinner is the slave of sin (Rom. 6:16).

1. Whom did God commission to deliver Israel from the clutches of Egyptian bondage? Ex. 3:10-12; Acts 7:35.

2. Is Moses therefore referred to as a type or prefigure of Christ? Acts 7:37; 3:20-22. What did God send Jesus Christ to deliver us from? Rom 3:24-25.

COMMENT: Moses, sent by God to deliver Israel from physical bondage, was a type pointing to Christ whom God sent to deliver repentant believers from the spiritual bondage of sin.

3. How did the Israelites react to leaving Egypt behind them? Num. 33:3.

COMMENT: The Israelites left with great exaltation and elation over their deliverance from the bondage (sin) of Egypt.

4. While the Israelites were rejoicing over their newfound freedom, what did Pharaoh and his army begin to do? Ex. 14:8-9.

COMMENT: Just accepting Christ and His blood for the remission of past sins does not make us forever free from sin. The Israelites thought they were free from the bondage of Egypt—that is until Pharaoh began to pursue them!

5. What did Moses say when the Israelites became fearful of Pharaoh’s oncoming army? Ex. 14:13-14.

6. Did God tell them to bog down, give up, and quit, giving up all hope of escaping the Egyptians? Or to go forward in obedience, trusting Him and His power to deliver them? Verses 15-16.

COMMENT: God likewise tells twentieth century Christians to go forward in obedience to Him, trusting Him and His power—the Holy Spirit—to deliver them!

7. What external help did the Israelites receive from God to protect them from Pharaoh and his army? Ex. 14:19-20.

COMMENT: The angel of the Lord in the cloud had gone before the Israelites to show them the way. Now he went behind them, between them and their enemies, to protect them.

We need external help today, too—and very desperately! What we need is

8. When God divided the Red Sea so that the children of Israel could pass through (Ex. 14:21-22), were they fearful? Ps. 78:53. Did they trust God to keep the walls of water from crashing down upon them? Heb. 11:29.

9. What happened to the Egyptians who pursued the Israelites? Ex. 14:26-28.

COMMENT: Here we see Pharaoh and his army, who represented the sins of Egypt in which Israel had lived, buried in a watery grave. How wonderfully this typifies the symbolism of Christian baptism!--"We know that our old self [our old sinful, carnal self] was crucified [killed and buried by baptism, verses 3-5] with Him [Christ], so that the sinful body might be [symbolically] destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin" (Rom. 6:6, RSV).

10. Therefore, isn’t Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (sin) through the waters of the Red Sea clearly referred to as a type of Christian baptism? I Cor. 10:1-2.

COMMENT: God often required many of the Old Testament prophets, including Moses, to act out the things He would bring to pass in the future (see Ezek. 4:1-17; 5:1-4). Likewise, God requires those who now sincerely want to have their past sins blotted out and covered by Christ’s blood to perform the physical, yet deeply symbolic act of baptism! It impresses the MEANING of baptism upon us, and is an outward sign illustrating our deeply sincere repentance and belief in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

And so the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in a watery "grave" (symbolizing the destruction of our "old man," or past life of sin), clearly typify New Testament water baptism.

John’s Baptism

1. Was John clearly a prophet of God? Luke 1:63, 76; Matt. 11:9-11.

2. For whose ministry was John sent to proclaim and prepare the way? Luke 1:76; Matt. 3:1-3; 11;10.

3. Did John baptize with water? John 1:26, 31, 33. Who sent John and gave him authority to baptize? Luke 3:2-3; Matt. 21:23-27.

COMMENT: John was commissioned by God to baptize the repentant in water. Baptism at that time, as it is today, was an outward sign of inward repentance. And it pictured their being washed and cleansed from past sins. After Christ’s sacrifice, baptism took on even greater symbolic meaning (Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12-13), as explained earlier in this lesson.

4. Exactly what was the message John preached? Mark 1:4-5; Matt. 3:11. What was the specific purpose for his message? Luke 1:77.

COMMENT: John’s inspired message was the "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." It was exactly what it implied. Those John baptized had responded to his preaching by repenting of their past sins. They were actually forgiven by God as were the righteous men and women of Old Testament times. But those John baptized did not yet receive the Holy Spirit because it was not made available until after Christ’s resurrection and ascension to heaven (John 7:38-39).

The account in Luke 1:77 clearly states that John the Baptist was sent "To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins." John was simply preaching repentance from sin. His message was preparing a people to receive and obey Christ when He came on the scene, thus preparing the way for His coming.

This is a New Testament Command

1. Did Jesus set an example for us in all things to show us that we should walk—live—as He did? I Pet. 2:21; I John 2:6. Was He baptized? Matt. 3:

13-16.

COMMENT: Even though Jesus had no sins to repent of, He was baptized, setting an example for us to follow.

2. After His resurrection, Jesus told His twelve apostles (who formed the foundation of His one and only Church from that time to this very day) what they were to preach to the world. Did He plainly command them to baptize repentant believers? Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16. What, exactly, were the repentant to "believe"? Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12.

COMMENT: The true "gospel" or good news Christ commanded His Church to preach is not solely a message about His being our Savior—it is the very message He brought and preached—the good news of the coming Kingdom and Government of God.

One must also hear and believe the true gospel before being baptized. Christ’s gospel includes not only believing on Him as our personal Savior, but also as our coming King. Those who believe the true gospel, accept Christ and believe He is their Savior, repent of their sins and are baptized, and live a life of overcoming, are the ones who will be saved— born again at the resurrection to inherit the Kingdom of God!

3. What was Peter’s command to the believers on the Day of Pentecost? Acts 2:38.

4. Do we find that repentant believers were always baptized? Acts 2:41;

8:5, 12.

5. About ten years after the Apostle Peter preached his first inspired sermon to the Jewish people in Jerusalem, God sent him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He was sent to the house of Cornelius, a very devout Italian (Acts 10). Peter then proceeded to preach the entire gospel to Cornelius and his family (verses 33-43).

What did Cornelius and family receive even as they were hearing Peter’s message—before being baptized? Verses 44-45. Was this a special sign from God to the apostles? Acts 11:17-18.

COMMENT: God made an exception in this instance. Repentant believers ordinarily must be baptized first before they can receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). But since Cornelius and his family were the first Gentiles to be called of God and converted, God gave them the Holy Spirit before baptism as a special sign to prove to Peter and the other apostles that He had indeed also opened the way of salvation to Gentiles.

6. What did Peter then immediately command should be done with Cornelius and his family? Acts 10:47-48.

COMMENT: Peter, following Christ’s instructions (Matt. 28:19-20), had Cornelius and other repentant believers in his family baptized! Obviously baptism is very important to God—else He would not have made it an absolute command to be obeyed by all who would become true Christians.

What is the Correct Method

What is the correct method of baptism—or are they all correct?

It is interesting to note that the word "sprinkle" occurs only a few

Let’s notice what the Bible itself teaches concerning the proper mode or method of baptism.

1. Why was John baptizing in Aenon near Jerusalem? John 3:23.

COMMENT: John would have needed only a cupful of water to sprinkle, or a pitcher full to pour—but baptizing requires "much water."

2. How does the baptism of Christ prove that He was immersed? Matt. 3:16.

COMMENT: Jesus had to be put down into the water, for He "went up straight way out of the water...." It is ridiculous to think He could have come "up...out" of a sprinkle or a pour!

3. When Philip baptized the eunuch, did they both go into the water? Acts 8:38.

The above biblical evidence clearly shows that immersion—being placed completely under water—was the only method of baptism practiced by the original Holy Spirit-inspired Church of God.

Other Kinds of Immersion!

1. Did John the Baptist speak of another Christian baptism? Matt. 3:11.

COMMENT: John had just been warning the hypocritical religionists to demonstrate some fruits, or results of their alleged repentance (verses 5-8). Notice again what he said: "I baptize [immerse] you with water for repentance, but he [Jesus] who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize [immerse] you with the Holy Spirit and [immerse you] with fire" (verse 11, RSV). Here John referred to two other kinds of immersion—neither of them in water. First let’s understand the "baptism of the Holy Spirit."

2. Did Jesus promise His disciples the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:4-5. When did the Holy Spirits finally come? Acts 2:1-4.

COMMENT: On that day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, Jesus’ promise and prophecy of John the Baptist were fulfilled. God began His spiritual Church on earth then by putting the Holy Spirit within His disciples.

3. Is God’s Church actually the "body" of Christ? I Cor. 12:12,14, 27; Col.

1:18.

4. How do we become members of that body—the true Church? Can we join it?

Or must we be put "into" it by God’s Spirit? I Cor. 12:13.

COMMENT: Notice that this scripture does not say we are baptized in the Holy Spirit—but by it! The receiving of the Holy Spirit in our minds as a spiritual begettal actually puts us into the spiritual body of Christ which is His Church!

So just being physically baptized in water does not put you into God’s Spirit-led church. You must be put into the Church by the Spirit of God.

In Romans 8:9, Paul tells us plainly that unless the Spirit of Christ dwells within us, we do not belong to Him. We become Christ’s, then, when His Spirit comes into us.

Each member of Christ’s "body" (I Cor. 12:27)--His Church—is joined to the other by the common bond of God’s Holy Spirit residing in them. So when we become Christ’s by receiving His Spirit, we are then put "into" His body—the Church of God—by the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures plainly show that it is the receiving of the Holy Spirit which automatically plunges us—immerses, "baptizes," or puts us—"into" the Church of God. This immersion into the Church by the Holy Spirit is termed by the Scriptures, "the baptism with," "the baptism by," or "the baptism of the Holy Spirit."

5. Another "baptism" referred to in the Scriptures and directly connected with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is mentioned in Matthew 28:19. Exactly what does this verse say?

COMMENT: The key expression in verse 19 is the phrase "in the name of." In Greek it is eis to onoma, an expression nowhere else used in the New Testament. Contemporary literature in Greek from that time period has been found with this expression and shows its full meaning: "The phrase...is frequent in the papyri with reference to payments made to the account of any one’ .... The usage is of interest in connection with Mt. 28:19, where the meaning would seem to be ‘baptized into the possession of the Father, etc.’" (J. Moulton and G. Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament, p. 451).

We learned in lesson 8 that our receiving of the Holy Spirit following baptism begets us as the literal "sons of God" (Rom. 8:14; I John 3:1), finally to become His born again sons at the resurrection.

Matthew 28:19 simply means that when we receive the Spirit of God, we automatically, through this miraculous begettal, become unborn children in the divine family called "God." This becomes our "baptism" or immersion into both the family and power of God or into sonship, brotherhood (with Christ) and their inherent blessings. This is in addition to our immersion into the spiritual "body of Christ," both occurring at the same time.

At present, the literal spiritual Family of God consists only of the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the divine nature and power of the God Family—not a "third person" as some have assumed. (Much more about the Holy Spirit will be covered in the following lesson.)

6. But what about the "baptism with fire"? Should a Christian seek it? Turn back to Matthew the third chapter. Exactly what did John the Baptist prophesy concerning "baptism with fire"? Matt. 3:1 1.

COMMENT: The whole population came in great crowds to see John—mostly out of curiosity. But John was speaking in particular to the unrepentant, hypocritical religionists, as well as those who did repent. Notice carefully that some of those to whom John spoke—the repentant—were to be baptized with the Holy Spirit later.

But the others present—among them many hypocritical, unrepentant Pharisees and Sadducees—were going to be baptized with fire—immersed in Gehenna fire—unless they repented. They would be burned up as chaff (verse 12). This fire, as we learned in a previous lesson, is the ultimate fate of all the incorrigible wicked (Rev. 21:8; Mal. 4:1-3).

One other important point: the baptism of fire is not associated, as some say, with the "cloven tongues like as [flames] of fire" which sat upon each of the disciples (Acts 2:3). This was a special sign of the first outpouring and receipt of the Holy Spirit that was given only at the very beginning of the New Testament Church. Speaking in "other tongues" (intelligible foreign languages) was another sign and was utilized that day in communicating with people from many nations of different languages who had come to observe the day of Pentecost (verses 1, 5-12).

Baptized By Christ’s Authority

1. Did Jesus baptize more disciples than John? John 3:22; 4:1. But did He actually perform the baptisms Himself? John 4:2. Then who did the baptizing? Same verse.

COMMENT: Jesus did not actually do the physical work of baptizing these people. He had His disciples do it for Him—in His stead.

2. Did the apostles baptize repentant believers in Christ’s name? Acts 2:37-38, 41.

COMMENT: The inspired Greek expression for "in the name of" means "by the authority of." If you do anything in the name of another, you do it with or by that person’s authority—by his express permission.

Jesus’ disciples did the baptizing "in Jesus’ name"—that is, in His stead, for Him, by His authority—and that was considered just the same as if Jesus had actually done it Himself.

3. Are God’s ministers today commanded to do all things in the name of Christ? Col. 3:17.

COMMENT: Baptism, when performed by ministers of God’s Church, is therefore always done "in the name of Jesus Christ"—that is, by His divine authority.

1. Why did Peter and John lay their hands on repentant persons in Samaria following their baptism in water? Acts 8:14-17. Also notice verses 18-23.

The "laying on of hands" (Heb. 6:2) is the key that solves this apparent enigma. The Holy Spirit is given to a person by prayer and the laying on of hands of God’s ministry following baptism. Notice the sequence: first repentance; then water baptism; next the laying on of hands; then the receipt of the Holy Spirit as a result of the laying on of hands. And as we just learned, the receiving of God’s Spirit "immerses" or "plunges" the person into the Church (the spiritual body of Christ) and into the divine Family of God.

Salvation Without Baptism?

1. Does baptism itself save us? Rom. 5:10.

COMMENT: Baptism in water is not what saves us, although it is a commanded step in God’s Plan of salvation. As explained before, it is merely symbolic of that which remits our sins—the death of Christ. It also pictures His resurrection, by which we are finally saved.

2. What did the thief on the cross ask Christ? Luke 23:42. What was Jesus’ reply? Verse 43.

COMMENT: Some have assumed from this verse that Jesus promised the thief that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Consider the context of this verse. Remember the thief had asked: "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (verse 42). The plain fact, as we learned from our previous studies of the Bible, is that Jesus has not yet come into His Kingdom.

Grammatically, Luke 23:43 is ambiguous. Early Greek manuscripts did not contain punctuation. It would have been possible to show the proper phraseology by the use of the Greek word for "that" (hoti); however, Luke did not insert the relative pronoun, and the word "today" could be taken either with the first part of the sentence ("Truly, I say to you today") or with the last part ("today you will be with me in Paradise"). Either one is grammatically possible.

Many early translators and commentators do not clearly show how they understood the Greek expression. Some of them (such as the Vulgate) are just as ambiguous as the original. A number of early translations and commentators do place the "today" with the last part. On the other hand, there is also early support for the other rendering. For example, the Old Syriac translation (often dated about 200 AD) clearly says, "I say to you today." Some manuscripts of the Coptic translation also have this reading, as do the Greek patristic writers Hesychius and Theophilus. An early apocryphal work, the Acts of Pilate, also connects "today" with "I say to you."

Thus, even though either reading is possible grammatically, and even though many translators and exegetes read "today" as the time of being in Paradise rather than as the time of Jesus’ speaking, many other scriptures show without equivocation that the thief would not be with Jesus in Paradise that day. Where was Jesus himself that day? In the grave! (I Cor. 15:3-4; Mark 15:44-46.) This was hardly Paradise. So the other alternative is the only one which fits with the rest of the Bible!

The thief obviously was unable to be baptized. Since baptism is not the thing which saves us, or gives us eternal life, he did not lose his chance for salvation because of circumstances beyond his control. God makes allowances for such extremely rare cases.

But God commands water baptism for all who are able. If a person deliberately ignores, rejects, defies or refuses this biblical command, this would be an act of disobedience to God; and unless repented of, would undoubtedly cause loss of salvation.

We need not worry about the thief on the cross, or anyone utterly unable to be baptized. We do not need to be very much concerned, however, about obeying God’s plain command when we are able.

Many put off baptism. They feel they are too infirm, too old, too weak-

• or they feel they are "not ready" yet spiritually. Some even think they must be perfect before being baptized. But how could a person be "perfect" before he receives God’s Holy Spirit, which helps us to become perfect?

Notice now several examples from the Bible:

1. When the Ethiopian eunuch came to understand Christ was his Savior, did he hesitate about being baptized? Did he put it off? Acts 8 :35-38.

2. When Paul was first converted, and learned that Christ is the Son of God whom he had been persecuting, did he procrastinate about being baptized? Acts 9:1-18, especially verse 18.

Therefore, as soon as was possible, they were baptized.

Old age makes no difference with God. Circumstances make no difference.

There simply is no acceptable excuse for not being baptized when a person understands this vital, urgent spiritual truth and is physically able to obey it.

How Old Should You Be?

The Bible shows Jesus merely laid His hands upon and pronounced blessings on little children (Matt. 19:13; Mark 10:13-16). Today, the ministers of Christ’s Church follow His example by invoking similar blessings upon the little children of its membership.

Re-baptism in the New Testament

In this regard, there is a question that many students of this course

have considered well worth asking. Many of our students have made a

• such as, for example, repentance, baptism and the Holy Spirit. So the puzzling question often arises: "What should I do? Should I be
• re-baptized?"

Apollos himself needed further instruction. He received it from a dedicated couple in the Church of God named Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26). And, of course, those individuals to whom Apollos preached needed further instruction, which they received from Paul, after which they were all immediately re-baptized.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may need to consider

re-baptism.

No matter what your previous religious history has been, don’t worry about it. Start afresh! Become a "new you." Don’t delay in receiving and putting the power of God’s Holy Spirit to work in your life. Then you will be able to look forward to the day when this same Holy Spirit will transform you into a Spirit Being—a powerful and glorious, eternal member of the divine Family of God! (Rom. 8:11-23.)

For those of you who have come to the place where you want the precious

In the Meantime...

Remember, God wants us all to grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet.

If you haven’t already read our booklets, What Do You Mean...Salvation? and All About Water Baptism, be sure to send for them. Use the enclosed coupon and mail it to us in the attached envelope.

 TEST YOUR MEMORY

1. The Greek word baptizo, from which the English word "baptize" is derived, means A. to sprinkle. B. to pour. C. both to sprinkle, and to pour. D. to immerse, plunge into, or put into.

2. Sprinkling and pouring are A. forms of baptism which are just as acceptable to God as complete immersion in water. B. incorrect methods of baptism which were introduced by men. C. words mentioned in the Bible, therefore they are valid forms of baptism. D. the methods of baptism practiced by the true Church of God today.

3. Jesus was baptized A. by pouring. B. by sprinkling. C. because He was a repentant sinner. D. by total immersion in water as an example for us to follow.

4. Water baptism A. is an outward sign of one’s repentance and submission to God. B. does not represent the burial of the old sinful self. C. is a form of initiation into a church. D. is the means by which our sins are forgiven.

5. What must the repentant believe before baptism? A. That Christ is their Savior—that’s all. B. Christ’s "gospel," which includes not only believing on Him as our personal Savior, but also as the King Of the coming Kingdom of God. C. That Jesus did away with His Father’s law. D. That Jesus obeyed the law in our stead.

6. Which "baptism" should a person not seek? A. Baptism in water. B.

Baptism by fire. C. Baptism of the Holy Spirit. D. Baptism "into" the Family of God.

7. The Holy Spirit A. is given immediately upon baptism. B. is given before baptism. C. is given long after baptism. D. is given through the "laying on of hands" of God’s minister immediately following baptism.

8. Which one of the following is not true? A. Baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. B. Baptism also pictures the death and burial of our old sinful life. C. Coming up out of the waters of baptism is symbolic of beginning a new life of obedience to God. D. Baptism merely pictures the symbolic death of our past sinful life—that’s all.

9. How soon must repentant believers be baptized? A. We can’t be sure since there are no examples given in the Bible. B. They can delay baptism as long as they wish. C. As soon as possible. D. They must be baptized within 24 hours after repentance.

10. Should a person ever consider re-baptism? A. Never—not under any circumstances! B. Yes, especially if he thoroughly understood exactly what God required of him before his previous baptism. C. Not having received the Holy Spirit would not be a reason to be re-baptized. D. Definitely—especially if he now realizes he knew little or nothing about the purpose of what he was doing at the time of his previous baptism.

TRUE OR FALSE

11. The receiving of the Holy Spirit "immerses" one into—puts one into-

• the true "body," or church, of God. T F

12. Jesus’ example was to bless children, not baptize them. T F

13. One must be very well grounded in the knowledge of the Bible before he can be baptized. T F

14. Sincere, heartfelt repentance and belief in Christ’s gospel are not the only prior conditions for baptism given in the Bible. T F

15. God commands baptism for all who are able to be baptized. T F

 

 

MATCHING

Draw a line from each phrase in the left-hand column to the correctly related phrase in the right-hand column.

16. The Flood A. Baptism commanded

B. Any church

D. Holy Spirit

E. Foreshadowed baptism

G. Passover lamb

I. God’s true Church

20. Acts 2:38 J. Emphasized repentance

4-A 8-D 12-T 16-E 20-A