E 1.5.11 : QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. What is the meaning of the Greek word ‘ Baptizo’ ?
A1. To dip or to immerse something into a liquid (fluid) and take out John 13 : 26
Q2. List the different baptisms mentioned in the Bible.
A2. (Refer to the TABLE given in item E 15l also, for more details about this)
1. Baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (Our Fathers, the Israelites were under the cloud and passed through the sea) – 1 Cor. 10 : 1, 2
2. Baptism of Repentance by John the Baptist – Matt 3 : 1-6; Mark 1 : 4; Acts 19 : 3 , 4
3. Baptism by the Disciples of Jesus Christ before His Death, Burial and Ascension – John 4 : 1, 2
4. Baptism (of suffering) for Jesus – Mathew 20 : 22
5. Adult Christian Immersion Water Baptism – Matt 28 : 19 ; Col 2 : 12 ; Rom 6 : 3 , 4
6. Holy Spirit Baptism – Acts 1 : 4 , 8 ; John 1 : 33
7. Baptized by One Spirit into One Body ( Born Again ) / Baptized into Christ – 1 Cor 12 : 13 ; Titus 3 : 5 ; James 1 : 18 ; Gal 3 : 27 . This refers to getting saved by the washing of regeneration by the Word through the renewal of the Holy Spirit and by grace through faith = getting saved by washing away of our sins by our Saviour Jesus Christ, and giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit by grace, through faith and the Word of God.
Q3. Jesus commanded ( commissioned ) that we baptize the adults ( the disciples we make ) . Which verse in the Bible indicates this ?
A3. Matthew 28 : 19 , 20 : Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Q4. How to differentiate, or distinguish different Baptisms as mentioned in the Bible ? ( or ) what is the criteria or bases to differentiate the different baptisms ?
A4. Ask the following Questions and try to find the Biblical Answers . Then we will be able to know the differences between these Baptisms and understand God’s Heart for providing them to Man.
1. What is the Medium or Liquid used for Baptism?
2. Who is the Giver of Baptism ?
3. Who is the Receiver ( Candidate for ) of Baptism ?
4. What is the purpose of Baptism ?
5. At what point of Time ( Historical Timing ) , the Baptism was instituted ?
Q5. Who are the ones who took ‘Adult Christian Immersion Water Baptism’ in the New Testament ?
A5. Refer to E 15b
Q6. What does the Bible mention about the association / link / connection between Adult Christian Immersion Water Baptism and Holy Spirit Baptism ?
A6. Refer E 15c
Q7. What does it mean ‘to be Baptized into / unto Christ’ ?
A7. …. do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 – NKJV
When one is baptized with (Adult Christian Immersion) Water Baptism into Christ publicly, in the presence of the other believers as witnesses, it means :
They are accepting Jesus as their Teacher, Forgiver of their sins, their Saviour, their Lord and one among the Godhead (Trinity)
They are accepting Jesus as the Giver of Law
They are dedicating themselves to Christ
They are dedicating themselves to obey Christ’s teachings
Q8. In Acts 19:3 NIV, Paul asks – What baptism did you receive ? He is asking you the same question today.
Examine yourself – If you have received any water baptism already, have you received it for Biblical reasons or not ?
A8. The manner in which Paul led the people at Ephesus (Acts 19 : 1 – 6)
Paul went to Ephesus.
Paul asked whether they received the Holy Spirit when they believed (believed in Jesus Christ)
They said “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
According to Paul and as per the events of Water Baptism recorded in the Book of Acts, the water baptism and the Holy Spirit Baptism were received almost together, in the following sequence :
EITHER
–Water Baptism and then Holy Spirit Baptism,
OR
–Holy Spirit Baptism and then Water Baptism
That is why Paul is asking, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit ?’, because Paul knew that water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism was being given to a believer as a package.
Let every believer, who has received water baptism but not yet received the Holy Spirit Baptism, examine himself based on the above remarks of Paul in this passage in Acts 19.
Paul then asked “What Water Baptism did you receive”; they replied “John’s Baptism”. John the Baptist gave Baptism of repentance saying to the people that “they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
The reason for receiving water baptism determines the validity of the water baptism. To know more about the Biblical reasons for receiving water baptism, go to E 15e.
Therefore, if the reason for receiving water baptism is not Bible-based, then the water baptism is not valid.
That is why Paul baptized the believers in Ephesus again.
Therefore, if you have received water baptism as a child, or as an adult for some unbiblical reasons listed below :
–Dedication of a child
–To become eligible to participate in Holy Communion
–For getting married to a Christian
………….
then, you ought to receive water Baptism again for Biblical reasons (found in E 15e).
Paul told the people to believe in the One coming after John the Baptist, that is, to believe in Jesus.
When John baptized the people unto repentance, he did not know that Jesus would have to suffer, die, rise again and be seated at the right hand of the Father God, who would give His Son authority over all things.
That is why, Paul told the believers in Ephesus to believe in Jesus and then receive the water baptism.
They were later baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus
Paul baptizing them in the Name of Jesus does not ignore the command of Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 28:19. Rather Paul directs our attention to the main reason for receiving water baptism is Jesus.
That is why certain Ministers of God baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names.
Next, Paul placed his hands on them
Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied
Q9. What are the two most important ordinances (religious practices /rites) of the Church established by Christ Himself ?
A9.
Holy Communion (Ongoing commitment to the Lord by remembering the Lord and the Lord’s death until His return) – 1 Cor 11: 24 &
Water Baptism (One time initiation into the Church) – The Great Commission in Matt 28: 19,20
Q10. What does Water Baptism represent ?
A10.
1. Christ died . I ( My old nature ) died with Him . For what did I die ? I died to SIN – Romans 6 : 6 , 7
2. Christ was buried , I ( My old nature ) was buried with Him – Romans 6 : 3 – 4
3. Christ was raised from the dead. I have also resurrected to live a New Life by the grace of God – Romans 6 : 4 – 5
We were all born as slaves to the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1 : 12 & 13). It is only by the death of the Old man (= Old nature) and by the New-birth (= becoming Born-Again), we are able to enter the Kingdom of Light (the Kingdom of God)
Q11. Mention the purposes for which infants / children were taken to the Church, or the temple as mentioned in the Bible.
A11. ….To circumcise the infant, to fulfill the vows made by the parents, to Dedicate, to name the infant / child ….. are some purposes
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF WAS BAPTISED WHEN HE WAS 30 YEARS OF AGE
1. Samuel : Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, …… and brought him to the house of the LORD … And the child was young. …….. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:24-28 – NKJV
2. John the Baptist : So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. Luke 1:59 – NKJV
3. Jesus Christ : And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ……… and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:21-24 – NKJV
Q12. Were infants / children baptized in the New Testament ?
A12. There are records of only 3 households being baptized :
Philippian Jailor (Acts 16 : 33); Stephanas (1 Cor. 1 : 16); Lydia (Acts 16 : 15). Acts 8 : 12 says “ …. they were baptized, both men and women”, but there is no mention of infants, or small children*.
Matt.19:13 says : Then little children were brought to Him (Jesus) that He might put His hands on them and pray.
* Perhaps, there were children who had attained the age of accountability. According to Jewish culture, a minimum of 12 years of age (15 or 18 years in other cultures) is considered as an age of accountability in a child’s life. (Also refer to E 15o for more on this topic)
Q13. If a child / infant dies without being baptized , will it be lost (not saved) ?
A13.Baptism by itself cannot save the soul. Salvation is by personal faith in Christ through the Grace of God and not through Baptism. Also we are saved by re-generation by the Word, through renewal by the Holy Spirit. Baptism is only an outward symbolic ritual and public declaration of what happened deep inside of a person in his heart. (Acts 4 :12; Eph 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
Q14. How did Infant / Child Baptism originate in the Church ?
A14. During the period beginning from the 5th to the 10th centuries A.D, a lot of teachings on Baptism developed greatly in Western Europe. St. Augustine went about teaching on the doctrines of Original Sin (= Sins of the forefathers ). These teachings conveyed the message that to receive Salvation, Baptism is essential . Because of these teachings , people believed that when infants / children died without being baptized, their souls would go to Hell. Those days, many children used to die in their infancy ; Infant /child mortality rate was high due to various reasons . Therefore, the Christian midwives started baptizing the infants, immediately after they were born. This practice in Western Europe brought in the custom of Infant / Child Baptism into the Church. The Bible does not teach infant Baptism – (because the infants are not mature enough to exercise personal faith in Jesus Christ).The Bible also does not mention of baptism by sprinkling of water.
Q15. Write down the verses which point to the reasons for taking the Adult Immersion Water Baptism commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ ?
A15.
1.It is the Great Commission of Christ to His disciples – Matthew 28 : 19 , 20
2.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved – Mark 16 : 16
3.Baptism means fulfilling of all righteousness – Matthew 3 : 15
4.Baptism pledges a good conscience towards God – 1 Peter 3 : 21
5.Baptism symbolizes a burial service. It is burial of the old man with the carnal (Fleshly) nature and a celebration of the resurrection to a new life through Christ – Romans 6 : 4 – 13
vs 4 – Identification in His (Christ’s) burial
vs 5 – Identification with His death & resurrection
vs 6 – Our old self is crucified with Him , so that the body of sin may be done away with
vs 8 – If we died with Christ , we believe that we will also live with Him
6. Baptism to show we have received the forgiveness of our sins – Acts 2 : 38
7. One of the two most important ordinances (religious practices /rites) of the Church established by Christ Himself –
1. Holy Communion
2. Water Baptism
8. By death to the old life and the new birth in Christ, we are separated and transferred from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light – Colossians 1 :12,13 ; 1 John 3 :8
Q16. What are the 3 different baptisms every Christian has to be baptized with ? What is the purpose for receiving these baptisms ? Also refer to E 15l for more details
A16.
(i) Water Baptism given by a servant of God by immersing us in water (the medium) : This is an outward ritual and public declaration of Death to Old life and rising up to a New life in Christ, just as Christ died, was buried and rose again. By this act, we become members of the local Church, which is the local assembly of believers. Matt 28 :19; Col 2 :12; Rom 6 :3,4
(ii) Holy Spirit Baptism given by Jesus Christ Himself, by immersing us in (= filling us with) the Holy Spirit (the medium) for receiving power to be witnesses for Him. Acts 1 :4,8 ; John 1 :33
(iii) Born-Again (washing of re-birth) : This baptism is given by the Holy Spirit with the Word of God (the medium) for adoption into God’s family as God’s child; The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ, that is the body of Christ, which is the Invisible Universal Church. By this, we become born-again as members of God’s family. 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; Gal 3:27
Q17. When we take Water baptism, does that mean we get saved ?
A17. In the Bible, salvation is also used to denote deliverance from sickness, curses, evil spirits, enemies, bondages,….. We as believers, generally, understand salvation as inheriting eternal life, or going to heaven. The Bible teaches us the following steps of ‘How will one get saved ?’ (in the Future Tense)
1. RECEIVE CHRIST TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12- NKJV
2. YOU WILL BE SAVED, IF YOU BELIEVE AND CONFESS JESUS AS LORD
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 – NKJV
3. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTISED WILL BE SAVED
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
4. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 – NKJV
5. WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS ( CHRIST’S ) LIFE
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10 – NKJV
6. BAPTISM THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SAVES US
There is also an antitype (=symbolic event) which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21
7. CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD – SHALL BE SAVED
For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 – NKJV
The above verses point to Salvation in the future and they are only steps to Salvation. These verses do not indicate that salvation is completed by taking the above steps alone. But there are other verses, as given below, which confirm to us, that we are saved by the four (4) divine agents (in the Present / Past Tense) – the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, by grace and through faith.
We know that we are saved, by the Inner Witness of the Holy Spirit within our heart (our own Spirit) that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). Renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) leads to transformation in our behavior and character. By this we exhibit the inner change worked within us by God to the outer world.
1. YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED Ephesians 2:8-9 – NKJV
v8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, v9. not of works, lest anyone should boast.
2. YOU CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD John 3:5 – NKJV
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
3. CHRIST JESUS SAVED US Titus 3:5 – NKJV; 2 Thess. 2:13
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
4. YOU ARE THE FIRST FRUITS OF HIS CREATURES – James 1:18 – NKJV
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.