Repent and be baptised Acts 2:38

What do Baptist Christians really believe about baptism?
Are we always saved at the exact moment we are baptised?
Do we have to be baptised to be saved??
What is the difference between “believer’s baptism” and “baptism by immersion”?
All these questions are answered in this video.

**What do Baptist Christians believe about baptism?**Are we always saved at the moment of baptism?Do we have to be baptised to be saved?What is the difference between believer's baptism and baptism by immersion?All your questions are answered here.

Gepostet von Peter Thomas am Sonntag, 4. Oktober 2020

These are the notes for the video.

“Repent and be baptised”

Baptism – the external sign of an inward reality

Acts 2 38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

God’s side – Forgiveness of sins,
Gift of new birth to eternal life
Gift of the Holy Spirit

Human side – Repentance
Saving faith
Becoming part of the church

Visible Sign – Believer’s baptism

Does new birth happen at the moment of baptism?
“Baptismal regeneration”?

Romans 6:3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Colossians 2:11 Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

BUT – Example of Jesus – unique in history
– Example of Apostles – unique in history
– Samaritans in Acts 8 – unique in history

Example of apostle Paul
Acts 9 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Example of the first Gentile believers –
they received the Spirit before they were baptised.
ACTS 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ 48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

So new birth may come at baptism, but not always

Is baptism essential for salvation?
Does a person have to be baptized in order to be saved?

Acts 2 38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Mark 16 16 Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

BUT – general witness of the New Testament –
faith and repentance always expected, baptism is not.

Romans 10:9 if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Paul’s practice
1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I did not baptise any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptised in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptised the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptised anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If Paul had believed baptism was essential to salvation he would have baptized everybody he could.

Early church practice vs practice after 1st century.

Baptism is like communion, a “means of grace”.

It is believer’s baptism – not “baptism by immersion”

Baptist Union Declaration of Principle
Article 2 – “That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again the third day’.”

But does baptism need to be by immersion?

Didache –
1st Century summary of Christian teaching permitted affusion
Chapter 7. “And concerning baptism, baptise this way: Having first said all these things, baptise into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptise into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.”

Some early Baptist Christians were baptized by affusion.
Immersion is usual, affusion is still valid.
Faith and repentance are important – the amount of water is not.

Acts 2 38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You may also like...

Comments are closed.