THE CHURCH IN PROGRESS:
BAPTISM

Baptism is a condition of salvation. It is the chief element in the remission of sins. After Jesus’ resurrection, during the forty days before ascension, He appeared many times to his disciples. Upon one occasion, He gave them a commission for the great work to be carried out in His name. His instructions were given at various appearances, each reported in the gospels. Accounts of the commission, not always in the same words, complement rather than contradict that commission. Matthew, in his account, records the command to “go, make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:18). Mark, in his account tells them to “go, preach the gospel to every creature; he that believes and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned (Mk. 16:15,16). Of course it goes without saying that if he disbelieves, he will not be baptized, so he stands condemned already (Jn. 3:18). Luke, in his account says “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:47). He told the disciples to “tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (24:49).

The ordinance of baptism has given rise to great controversy and diversity of thought and practice among religious groups. Some feel that baptism is a work, therefore attempt to merit salvation by doing certain prescribed works. Others feel that baptism is an ordinance to confirm you to some church organization. Others believe that you are not baptized into the church but the body, and the Lord adds you to the church. The church (plural) is composed of those baptized into the body (singular) of Christ. Some have thought that baptism referred to in

Paul’s letter to the Romans were buried with Christ by baptism is in the Holy Spirit, not in water (Rom. 6:3-5). Water was used in the eunuch’s baptism (Acts 8:36-38), as well as in the household of Cornelius (Acts 10”47). Since there is only one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6), and water is the only element mentioned in the baptism of believers, we conclude that baptism is in the element, water. Jesus commanded the Apostles to baptize the believers in the familiar form and element, water, which was used in both John and Jesus’ baptism. Only Jesus could baptize in the Holy Spirit, and the Apostles were the only ones promised such a baptism, so they were the only ones who could receive it (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).

Religious history records that members of the Baptist denomination are not called Baptists after the name of John the Baptist, but from the Ana-Baptist Movement. This movement ascribed to the position of baptizing twice; once as an infant and the second as an adult baptism which confirms you to the Baptist church after being saved by faith only. The result gives rise to the real point which needs to be discussed on the subject of baptism; the action, the subject and the design of baptism.

-Gene A. Ellmore-