Page 281 - Bible Writers Theology Original

G Mode of Baptism
The Greek word for baptism is "bapto" which means to bury or cover by water. Immersionisthentheonlybiblicalmodeofbaptism.Wefindimmer sion in type in the Old Testament. Naaman dipped himself in the Jordan River according to the conunand of Elisha to be cleansed from his leprosy (II Kings 5:10-14). Noah's ark was forty days in the middle of the waters (Genesis 7:11-12; I Peter 3:20-21). The Israelites passed under water at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24-30; I Corinthians 10:1-5). The prophet Micahintro duces the mode and power of baptism by saying "...thou wilt cast all their
sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19).
John the Baptist baptized, burying his converts in the Jordan River (Mark ^•5-9). He and his disciples were baptizing in Aenon near Salim because "there was much water there" (John 3:23). Jesus Himself, when He was bap tized"...wentupstraightwayoutofthewater"(Matthew3:16). Thisshows He was immersed in baptism. When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, "they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water..." (Acts 8:38- 39).
The teaching of the early apostolic church of baptism was burial with Chnst, indicating that baptism was by immersion (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). TheNewTestamentchurchneverbaptizedbysprinklingorbypour- ing. Sprinklingorpouringinbaptismcameaboutasamatterofconven ience, and is in direct disobedience to the word of God. The Bible declares one baptism into the body of Christ, in one name: the name Jesus Christ.
Baptism in three titles or three times in three names, either by sprinkling or pouringisnotbiblical. Mancannotdietwiceandbebunedtwiceorthree times(Romans6:5). ThreegodsorthreepersonsofGodcannotbeputon.
H Necessary Elements at Baptism
Sincebaptism inJesus'Name isfor theremission ofsins; wateralone can notsaveus. JesusChristhascometosavesinnersbyblood,water,andspir it. All these work together at baptism, when a repented sinner is buried into the watery grave by faith in the Name of Jesus Christ Qohn 19:34; I John 5:6).
When Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. He shed His blood and water by the Spirit for the salvation of human beings (Hebrews 9:14).
Therefore, baptism in Jesus' Name is ineffective unless the candidate actual ly has faith to bring all these elements together to remit his sins.
Soteriology • Salvation ♦ 265