18 12. What Man Must Do to Become Such As Should Be Saved (Pt 4)

12. What Man Must Do to Become Such As Should Be Saved (Pt 4)

What Man Must Do to Become Such As Should Be Saved (Part 4)

INTRODUCTION

We have learned that man must believe with all his heart that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of his sins, and be baptized in the name of Christ before he becomes a member of that group that the Bible speaks of as "such as should be saved." (Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:37-41, 47.) We now wish to study further the subject of baptism—(l) its mode, (2) its design, and (3) the proper subject. THE ELEMENTS OF SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM

Some tell us that sprinkling a few drops of water on a person’s head is baptism; others say that pouring a little water on a person’s head is baptism; still others say that either of these two acts or the act of immersing the whole body in water is Scriptural baptism; while others contend that immersion only constitutes the Scriptural act. We should want the truth on this question, and it is hoped that every reader or student of this series of lessons will study the question without prejudice. Certainly our Lord, who died that we might live, should be given a chance to say something on the subject, and we should be satisfied with his will on the subject. We cannot afford to reject his doctrine. (See 2 John 9-11.)

It takes Scriptural elements to constitute Scriptural baptism. Here there can be no room for controversy. Scriptural elements are those elements named in the Holy Scriptures. Most certainly a thing could not be Scriptural that the Scriptures say nothing about. In the following diagram I give you the elements named in the Scriptures and leave you to judge which of the three acts named above has these elements:

There is one element that all three have—viz.,water. None would dare suggest some other fluid, such as milk or oil. If they sprinkle, pour, or immerse, all agree that water must be used. Now, does not the Bible name nine other facts connected with baptism as plainly as it says water—viz., (I) coming unto it, (2) much water, (3) going down into it, (4) a burial, (5) a planting, (6) a birth or coming forth, (7) a resurrection, (8) a washing, (9) and coming up out of the water? Immersion has every one of these, and you cannot immerse without every one of them. Sprinkling and pouring have not one of these nine other thoughts. Then, how can any human soul be satisfied with them for baptism? They cannot if they read their Bible, hungering for God’s will in them to be accomplished. This accounts for thousands becoming dissatisfied with their sprinkling and pouring simply from reading the Bible, when never has a soul become dissatisfied with immersion. You certainly must see this. If you have been immersed, you cannot talk about your baptism without talking about it just as the Bible reads about baptism. THE SCRIPTURAL DESIGN OF BAPTISM With Jesus it was to "fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:13-17.) Christ had never sinned; hence, he could not be baptized as others—viz., for the remission of sins. But he would have sinned had he refused to be baptized; hence the journey of sixty miles from Nazareth of Galilee to where John was baptizing. For the remission of sins.(Acts 2:38;Acts 22:16.) Baptizedin order to be saved. (Mark 16:15-16.) Baptizedinto Christ. (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:26-27.)

Baptizedinto the name of Christ. (Acts 10:48.) Here let it be seen that salvation is in Christ, in the name of Christ. (See Acts 4:12; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 5:10-11.) Hence, the blessed dead. (Revelation 14:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.) THE SCRIPTURAL SUBJECT The subject is first to be taught, then baptize him. (Matthew 28:19.) Hence, only those who are taught are Scriptural subjects.

They must believe what they have been taught. (See Mark 16:15-16; see also Acts 8:12; Acts 8:36-37.) In every account of baptism something is said that shows that infants were not among the number. (1) only those who confessed their sins were baptized. (Mark 1:5.) Infants cannot do this. (2) only those who gladly received the word were baptized. (Acts 2:41.) Infants cannot do this. (3) Not only those who believed were baptized, but it is specifically stated that they were men and women. (Acts 8:12.) We can hardly believe there were no infants in the city of Samaria. They were there, but they were not subjects of baptism.

Household baptism. Here an effort is made to get infants in; but in every case of the whole household being baptized, something is said to show there were no infants in that household. I have baptized whole families in which there were no infants. (1) The jailer’s household. All believed and rejoiced. (See Acts 16:32-34.) Infants can do neither of these things. (2) The household of Stephanas. Paul baptized them all, but all "set themselves to minister unto the saints." Infants cannot do this. (1 Corinthians 16:15.)

Infants aresafe. Baptism is for those who have sins for which they are responsible. All such must be converted and become as little children in order to be saved. (Matthew 18:3; Matthew 19:14.) God gives back to the human race in Christ all they lost in Adam unconditionally. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22.) Baptism is for those who have sins of their own to be remitted or who have become old enough to know it is a command of God. It is something the human soul obeys from the heart; hence, the heart must recognize and be conscious of doing. (Read Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:4-5; Romans 6:17-18.)