Water Baptism (Part II)

Lesson Content

1. Who should take baptism? One should repent (Acts 2:38), confess his sins (Mk.1:5), believe (Mk.16:16) and then take baptism. As infants cannot fulfil these conditions, infant baptism is not in accordance with the Word of God. Jesus did not take or give infant baptism. He only laid His hands and blessed the little children who came to Him, but did not baptize them (Matt.19:13-15).

2. How should baptism be given? The word ‘baptism’ comes from the original Greek word ‘Baptizo’. It means immersion. Jesus took immersion baptism (Mk.1:9,10). As there was much water in Aenon, it was chosen by John the Baptist to baptize people (Jn.3:23). Therefore, immersion baptism is the correct baptism. Baptism should be given in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt.28:19).

3. Who should give baptism?

Only those who have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit must give baptism. The baptism given by those who have not received the Holy Spirit is not correct. Such people must be rebaptized. Though Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in the spirit, he had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He baptized twelve people at Ephesus. But when Paul went to Ephesus, he came to know that they had been baptized by a non-Spirit baptized person and baptized them again (Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-7).

Moral

We must study the doctrine of baptism well and surrender ourselves to that truth. Every day we should reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.