1. How imperative is baptism for a person? How imperative is it for a church to administer it? There are not any great sermons in the New Testament about baptism, but every new believer in the New Testament was baptized and added to the church. Usually, if someone has the right understanding of baptism, then they will be doctrinally right on most issues. The church should baptize believers because this is part of the Great Commission. Baptism is the first step of obedience and follows the example of Christ.
2. List some of the abuses associated with baptism. Baptismal regeneration is a first abuse of baptism. People are not saved or made any cleaner spiritually by baptism. Baptizing before the age of accountability is a second abuse. Baptism by sprinkling is a third abuse. It is not "baptiso." Having the wrong symbolism is a fourth abuse of baptism. Some people lean forward three times, but this is not a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection. A fifth abuse is that baptism is not part of a covenant relationship. It is not the New Testament version of circumcision. A sixth abuse is that baptism is an ordinance, not a sacrament. A seventh abuse is by that of the Landmarkians. New Testament baptism is not the baptism of John the Baptist. An eighth abuse is that baptism cannot be properly done by anyone, at any time, in any place. It is the initial ordinance for believers.
3. List the Biblical arguments for immersion. The first argument is that baptism comes from the Greek word "baptizo," which means to dip or immerse. A second argument is the use of the verb, "baptiso," with the prepositions "eis" and "en," meaning into. Baptism by immersion is symbolic of the death, burial, resurrection picture of Romans 6:3-4.
4. Why should a person be baptized? A person should be baptized because it is the first step of obedience. It follows the example of Christ. It follows the example of early Christians. It is an evidence that the person being baptized professes their saving faith in Christ. Baptism gives the baptismal candidate a good conscience before God. Baptism fulfills a symbol of salvation, and it becomes the entrance into the church. Early believers were baptized after their profession and then added to the church.
5. Who is a proper candidate for baptism? The proper candidate for baptism must be saved.
6. What are the four qualities for proper baptism? The four qualities for proper baptism are proper candidate, proper act, proper motives, and proper administration. The candidate should be saved, and the proper place is in front of the church.
7. When should a person be baptized? A person should be baptized after they have had a period of instruction, after an interview with the pastors or deacons, and after the church has voted. The vote is important because baptism is a church ordinance.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
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