Method
– Matthew 3:11 “Baptize you with (lit. ‘in’) water.”
– Luke 3:16 “Baptize you with (lit. ‘in’) water.”
– John 1:31 “Baptizing with (lit. ‘in’) water.”
– John 1:33 “Baptize with (lit. ‘in’) water.”
– Matthew 3:16 “When he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.”
Also see, Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5,8,9; Acts 1:5; Acts 8:38; John 1:31
Summary
– Baptism was IN water.
– Candidates went down INTO the water.
– Candidates came up OUT OF the water.
Candidates – Who?
– Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized.”
– Acts 2:41 “Thay that gladly received his word were baptized.”
– Acts 8:12 “When they believed…they were baptized.”
– Acts 8:13 “Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized.”
– Acts 8:36-37 “Here is much water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? … If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”
Also see, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:32-33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:5, Matt. 28:19.
Summary
– No one was baptized until he had intelligently received the plan of salvation offered int eh gospel.
– Baptism in no instance preceded definite acceptance.
Symbolism – Significance
– Romans 6:4 “Buried with him by baptism.”
– Colossians 2:2 “Buried with him in baptism.”
– Romans 6:3-5 “So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death . . . For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
– Galatians 3:27 “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
– Colossians 3:1 ” If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteht on the right hand of God.”
Also see, 1 Peter 3:21
Summary
Symbolizes the entrance, by the gateway of Christ’s death into the domain of His righteousness and resurrection life. Expresses the baptized one’s faith that God has taken him from among the dead and given him newness of life with the risen Christ.
Formula
– Matthew 28:19 “Baptizing them in (lit. ‘into’) the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Summary
The formula stated by Christ just befor His departure is authoritative for the present age.
