As baptism is an important doctrine of the Baptist church, it is somewhat surprising to find little scripture teaching focusing upon its practice. What scripture there is, however, gives us a clear understanding regarding its purpose and practice. It is the responsibility of every child of God to be intimately familiar with the doctrine of baptism, both theologically and from a personal perspective. It is commanded of us, once we have experienced salvation, to be subject to the act of baptism. After being baptized, we are commanded to go baptize as members of a respective church and under her authority.

Many disagreements and quarrels have arisen from this basic Biblical teaching. Much of the difficulty has come as a result of men adding or subtracting from the teachings contained within the scriptures. It is our purpose tonight to simply examine what the scriptures say about baptism.

Both words were not really translated. They were anglicized, meaning the Greek words were simply given English spellings and added to the English language. Thus, in this case, Greek words were brought over to the English language as a "new" word.

Why was this done?

The reasoning lies within a particular rule given to those in charge of translating the King James Version of the Bible. When the committee was formed under the authority of King James to translate the Bible into English, King James gave the committee several instructions. The third instruction he gave them read as follows:

Because baptize and baptism were considered "old ecclesiastical words", this third rule forbid them from translating them into their English equivalents. Some have claimed that there were no English equivalents for the words and therefore the reason for there being no translation. Such a claim however does not stand up to a review of the facts. As we will see later, there are English words which match up very closely to the Greek words for baptize and baptism.

It is worthy to note here that this rule did not apply to all translations of the Bible. The Geneva Bible (used by the Pilgrims) translated the Greek words and poorly so. The translators used the word "washing" for baptize and baptism. We are fortunate, then, that the KJV translators had this rule of translation although it is a mixed blessing of sorts. Pouring and sprinkling would not have any scriptural backing had the words for baptize and baptism been translated into their English equivalents.

As the words were not translated, we must look to the Greek for any hope of extracting their true meanings. The Greek words were a. Baptizo, where the o was exchanged for an e to arrive at the word Baptize, and b. Baptisma in which the last letter was dropped altogether to arrive at Baptism.

These words, without exception or credible debate mean "immerse" or "dip" with immerse being the preference of most Greek scholars. It is interesting to note that John Calvin (who did not believe in the necessity of immersion in the act of baptism) would write the following in his work entitled, "Institutes":

Although Mr. Calvin states what the ancient churches did, he also states that churches should be at liberty to determine for themselves the correct mode. The Scriptures teach us that we are to follow its precedents and not our own dictates or desires. Refer to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.

In summary, there is very little room for debate as to the true meaning of the original Greek words. Both "anglicized" words refer to immersion / dipping.

What constitutes a "scriptural baptism" within the Lord’s churches?

- One who has been saved and can relate an experience of God’s Grace

- The Church – The Great Commission was given to the church, not individuals. This teaches us that individuals do not possess the heaven-based authority to baptize saved persons. The only proper authority for such work in the Church which Christ left in the world with His imputed authority.

- Muddy waters here. Our Baptist practice is that an ordained minister administrates the baptism with the authority to do so granted by the local church. Some believe it must be the pastor of that church. Some believe it can be any ordained minister of that church. Others feel that any ordained man of the church is qualified. Still others support the idea that any minister of like faith and order can administrate if so authorized by the local church. My experience has only been seeing the pastor, another ordained minister of the church, or an ordained minister of

like faith and order conduct a baptism for the church. I.e. I was asked to baptize a couple of young men into Hauser MBC in Coos Bay, Oregon several years ago.

Personally, I believe strongly that the administrator should be the pastor or an ordained minister of like faith and order. Do I believe this because this is "how I was raised"? Yep, that’s honest.

- Very simple…WATER.

The Bible says water…the river Jordan, the pool of Siloam, an oasis in the desert…..water. Much has been made of the belief that baptisms MUST be performed in a river or creek and that there MUST be running water. The facts are that good portions of the Jordan river do not run year round, the pool of Siloam was used by the early church and is just that, a pool. Further, the Eunuch was baptized in the middle of a desert. The early church saw 8,000 saved in just a few days (per the book of Acts). The nearest river was close to 25 miles away. Can you imagine walking 8000 people to Martinsville to baptize them? The book of Acts also says that the Lord added unto the church DAILY as many as would be saved. That’s a lot of walking and is not practical. IF…..a river was essential or running water, I believe that Lord would have made it very clear to us. His requirements are simple: immersion in water.

Some have argued, "We need to follow the Lord’s example!!" At what point do you cease following the specifics of the example? Do we immerse candidates in water? So we use the Jordan River? Do you have to be in Israel? Does John the Baptist have to be the administrator?? Again, immersion…in water.

Now, I’m from SW Missouri and I was baptized in the Pomme De Terre River in August of 1989. I would love for my kids to be baptized in a river, but I’m not against baptisteries because I can’t find a BIBLICAL reason for it. I prefer a river. Actually, I prefer the Pomme De Terre river! Why? Because that was the way I was raised? Yup, you got me again. Sometimes we get "our preferences" intermingled with "thus saith the Lord".

1. Is baptism necessary for salvation?

- No. We will discuss this in another lesson. Baptism is the outward act which symbolizes or represents an inward event (salvation). The thief on the cross was not baptized and went to heaven. Jesus was baptized, but did He need to be saved???

2. What does baptism do?

- Places us into the church.

- Completes the Great Commission’s requirement after salvation

3. What is the "picture" painted by baptism?

-The death, burial and resurrection of Christ (and our own experience of salvation)