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THE DOCTRINE OF

BAPTISMBy Rolan Monje, DPTh, MMin and

Oat Suwanakoot, MDiv

2007 Asian Christian Jubilee Teaching Class

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This powerpoint and many othermaterials are available online at

www.addtoyourlearning.com

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LESSON OUTLINE

Biblical-linguistic Evidence – Oat

Historical-patristic Evidence - Rolan

Response to Baptism - Oat

Objections to Baptism – Rolan

Q & A 

Recommended reading

Conclusions

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BIBLICAL-LINGUISTIC

EVIDENCE

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The word „baptism‟  

English verb “baptize” is a transliteration(simply, word conversion using thecorresponding letters of one alphabet toanother) of the Greek word “βαπτίζω ”  

 “Baptism”  Greek noun baptisma  

Similarly, „Amen‟ is the transliteration of a

Hebrew word meaning “so be it” or “let itbe” (Num 5:22).

In the original language, baptisma mainlymeans „immersion‟ or „dipping‟.

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To understand the whole concept of baptism, we need to look at scripturesthroughout the gospels in the book of 

 Acts, the Epistles, and personal letters,so we can grasp the overall meaning.

We‟ll also look at the relationship of baptism to other biblical concepts.

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Baptism of John 

Mark 1:4-5 (NIV)  And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean 

countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

John 3:22-23 (NIV) 

 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. [23] Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people 

were constantly coming to be baptized. 

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Baptism into Christ 

Matthew 3:11 (NIV) “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me 

will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

John 3:5-7 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 

Galatians 3:27 (NIV) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

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Baptism with the Holy Spirit

 Acts 1:5 (NIV) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor. 12:13 (NIV) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

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Baptism and faith

 Acts 8:12-13 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he  preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself 

believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 

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Baptism and repentance

 Acts 2:38 (NIV)

Peter replied, "Repent and be

baptized, every one of you, in thename of Jesus Christ for theforgiveness of your sins. And you

will receive the gift of the HolySpirit.

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Baptism and Salvation 

Mark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not 

believe will be condemned. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) 

 And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the 

removal of dirt from the body but the  pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ  

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Baptism and commission 

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples 

of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything 

I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

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Baptism and union 

Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) 

Or don't you know that all of us who 

were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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. 

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Steps toward baptism

Hear (Romans 10:17, Acts 11:14)

Believe (John 3:16, Acts 16:31) 

Confess sin (Matthew 3:6, 1John 1:9,James5:16) 

Repent (Acts 3:19) 

Confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9,1Timothy 6:12) 

Be baptized (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4)

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Why we need baptism

The example of Christ(Mark1:9, Luke 3:21) 

The commission of Jesus(Matthew 28:19-20)

The plan of salvation (Acts2:38, Mark 16:16)

The union with Christ (Romans6:3-4)

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Therefore, at baptism… 

One is forgiven of his sins (Acts 2:38).

One is put into Christ (Acts 2:38; Gal.

3:27; Rom. 6:1-6) and his body (I Cor.12:13).

One calls on the name of the Lord and

his sins are washed away (Acts22:16).

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 At baptism… 

One is saved through an appeal to God for agood conscience (one does not until baptismhave a good conscience) and through the

resurrection of Jesus from the dead (I Pet.3:21).

One “puts on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). 

One is “buried with Christ” and “baptized into

his death” and rises to live a new life (Rom.6:2-4). This must be the time when Jesus‟ blood covers his sins (note how it is throughthe blood of Christ that we have redemption

in Eph. 1:7 and Matt. 26:28

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 At baptism

One is “united” or “grown together” orbecomes “at one with” (sumphutos ) Christand our old self is crucified with him (Rom.6:5).

One is buried with him, we were spirituallycircumcised, we put off the old nature whichwas offensive to God, and we were raisedwith him through our faith in the power of God, were made alive with Christ andforgiven our sins (Col. 2:11-13). We are nolonger offensive to God after baptism.

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 At baptism… 

We are given the promise that we will livewith him: “Now if we died with Christ wewill also live with him” (Rom. 6:8). Henceone is assured of his own resurrection in thefuture.

One is born again (born from above), John3:3-5.

One receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) whorenews us and saves us through his

 “sanctifying work” ( II Thes. 2:13). 

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HISTORICAL EVIDENCE

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Washings

Ceremonial Washings

Leviticus 16:4,24 (for purification).

Jewish tradition

 – Cleansing

 – Proselyte baptism

Qumran tradition

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Washings

Rachatz (Lev 16.4, also v.24)µvâ;bel]W /r`c;B]Ata, µyIMö'B' 6jà'r:w“ 

He must wash in water… 

Miqveh (cf. Gen 1.10a)

ar“Yè"w" µyM-iy" ar1:q; µyIM`'h' hwÝEq]mil]W He gathered the waters and called them… 

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Qumran –  (miqveh)

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Existence of baptistries

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Existence of baptistries

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Jerusalem pools & 

tunnels

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PATRISTIC WRITINGS

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Patri – who?

Patristic writings: What are they?

 – Early writings

 – After the time of the apostles

 – From the 1st & 2nd cen AD

Who wrote them? – Various leaders in the early church

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TIMELINE OF GOSPELS, ACTS, PATRISTICS

6 AD

30AD

70AD

Birth of Jesus

Pentecost

Crucifixion

Birth of John the Baptist

Paul’s 

death

Fall of Rome

Council

of Nicaea

325AD

100AD

Th E i l f B b

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The Epistle of Barnabas,c. 70-100 A.D. 

Blessed are they who, placing theirtrust in the cross, have gone down

into the water…We indeed descendinto the water full of sins anddefilement. However, we come up,bearing fruit in our heart, having the

fear [of God] and the trust in Jesus inour spirit. Barnabas (c. 70-130, E),1.144.

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Hermas, c. 70-130 A. D. 

I hear, sir, some teachers maintain thatthere is no other repentance than thatwhich takes place, when we descended into

the water and received remission of ourformer sins. Hermas (c. 150, W), 2.22.  Before a man bears the name of the Son of 

God, he is dead. But when he receives theseal, he lays aside his deadness and obtainslife. The seal, then, is the water. Theydescend into the water dead, and they arisealive. Hermas (c. 150, W), 2.49. 

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Hermas, c. 70-130 A. D. 

The apostles themselves also gavethem the seal of the preaching [i.e.,

baptism]. Accordingly, they descendedwith them into the water andascended again. Hermas (c. 150, W),

2.49.

J ti M t

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Justin Martyr,c. 100-165 A.D. 

They there receive the washing with water in the Iwill also relate the manner in which we dedicatedourselves to God when we had been made newthrough Christ…. for the remission of their past

sins. The rest of us pray and fast with them. Theyare brought by us name of God (the Father andLord of the universe), of our Savior Jesus Christ,and of the Holy Spirit. For Christ also said, "Unlessyou are born again, you will not enter into the

kingdom of heaven." Justin Martyr (c. 160, E),1.183.

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Justin Martyr, c. 100-165 A.D. 

This washing of repentance and knowledge of Godhas been ordained on account of the transgressionof God‟s people, as Isaiah cries. Accordingly, we

have believed and testify that the very baptismwhich he announced is alone able to purify thosewho have repented. And this is the water of life.…For what is the use of that baptism which cleansesonly the flesh and body? Baptize the soul from

wrath and from covetousness, from envy and fromhatred. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.201. 

I f L

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Irenaeus of Lyons,c. 130-200 A.D. 

When we come to refute them [theGnostics], we will show in its proper

place that this class of men have beeninstigated by Satan to a denial of thatbaptism which is regeneration to God.Thus, they have renounced the whole

faith…. For the baptism instituted bythe visible Jesus was for the remissionof sins. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.346.

Cl t f Al d i

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Clement of Alexandria,c. 150-215 A.D. 

Being baptized, we are illuminated.Illuminated, we become sons…. This work isvariously called grace, illumination,

perfection, and washing. Washing, by whichwe cleanse away our sins. Clement of  Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.215. 

In the same way, therefore, we also repentof our sins, renounce our iniquities, and arepurified by baptism. Thereby, we speedback to the eternal light as children of theFather. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E),2.217.

ll f C h

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Tertullian of Carthage,c. 160-230 A.D. 

Now, the teaching is laid down that "withoutbaptism, salvation is attainable by no one."

This is based primarily on the ground of thatdeclaration of the Lord, who says, "Unlessone is born of water he has not life."However, when this is laid down, there

immediately arise scrupulous (or rather,audacious) doubts on the part of some.Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.674, 675.

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Origen, c. 185-255 A.D.

Matthew alone adds the words, "to

repentance," teaching us that the benefit of baptism is connected with the intention of the baptized person. To him who repents, itis saving. However, to him who comes to it

without repentance, it will produce greatercondemnation. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.367 .

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Historical-patristic

evidence History tells us that for at least 1500

years, baptism was expected and

practiced by those who wished toconvert to Christianity

During the Reformation, Luther andothers reacted to „works-oriented‟ 

Catholicism; the idea of „just believe‟ and „faith alone‟ sprang from this(over)reaction

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RESPONSE TO BAPTISM

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Response to baptism

1) Sense of appreciation: Acts 16:33-34 (NIV)…the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately heand all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his houseand set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he hadcome to believe in God--he and his whole family

2) Sense of obedience: Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and onearth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I havecommanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

3) Sense of urgency; Acts 22:16 (NIV) And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your 

sins away, calling on his name.

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Urgency in baptism

The New Testament has several accountsshowing that we should not delay baptism

once it is clear that the believer is repentantand ready. We see in the many cases of:

 – The 3000 in Jerusalem (Acts 2:37-41)

 – The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:34-39)

 – Lydia of Philippi (Acts 16:11-15) – The Philippians jailor (Acts 16:25-34)

 – Conversion of Paul (Acts 22:16)

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OBJECTIONS TO BAPTISM

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John 3:16, just „believe‟  

John 3:16 says just „believe in Him‟ tohave eternal life; no baptism (?)

 „believe‟ should be understood in itsentirety, and this includes repentance(3:19-21) and baptism (3:1-7). Note

that the rest of the narrative talksabout baptism (3:22 – 4:2).

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 “Works” don‟t save us 

The Bible never calls baptism a „work‟  

The “works” that don‟t save are the

 “works” that man does by his ownpower. Let us not forget that Godhimself works too. (Jn 5:17)

Those who insist on this forget thatbelieving is called „work‟ in (Jn 6:29)

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Rev 3:20, just „open up‟  

 Verse taken to mean that if we „receive Christ‟ by opening our hearts

in prayer, then we are saved Note that this verse is not for non-

Christians who wish to convert; it is

for Christians who need to repent(these Laodiceans were alreadysaved!)

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Pause for Q & A 

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Recommended reading

General info: – Article “Immersion for Salvation” at

www.douglasjacoby.com  – Article “20 Questions on Baptism” atwww.addtoyourlearning.com

On the popular „Sinner‟s Prayer‟   – The Sinner‟s Prayer online article by

Steve Staten @ www.myconvictions.com

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On baptism in Patristic writings:

 – Will the real heretics please stand up?

By David Bercot

On the history of baptism

 – Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible,

M. Tenney

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Conclusions

The Bible is clear in presenting the vitalimportance of baptism.

Extra-biblical evidence points to the

normative status of baptism as essential forsalvation. Baptism (as a faith response) was seen as

part of repentance and conversion for thefirst 1500 years of the church.

 As we remember our baptism, or look forward to baptism, let us be grateful forthe love the God has for all of us!

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To God be the glory

THANK YOUFOR COMING!