What is baptism?
Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.
Proofs
- Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him; (Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27)
- of remission of sins; (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38, 22:16)
- and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3–4)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Doth the scripture speak of a baptism with the Ghost?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, (Matthew 3:11)
And was this accomplished?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They were filled with the Holy Ghost, (Acts 2:4)
Doth it also speak of a baptism of sufferings?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Are ye able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? (Matthew 20:22)
And was Christ indeed eminently baptized therewith?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I am come into the deep waters where the floods overflow me, (Psalm 69:2)
But is there besides these a baptism with water?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I baptize you with water, (Matthew 3:11)
Section 2
Did the Jews baptize before John?
Answer: No.
Proof: For they ask why baptizest thou, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias? (John 1:25)
Did John’s baptism introduce the gospel dispensation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ —John did baptize, (Mark 1:1, 4)
And had it a reference to a Saviour shortly to come?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He said, that they should believe on him, which should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus, (Acts 19:4)
Was John sent of God, to baptize?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, (John 1:33)
Did the people receive his baptism as from God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They justified God, being baptized with the baptism of (Luke 7:29)
And was John’s baptism the same for substance as that of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For Jesus baptized, and John also was baptizing, (John 3:22–23)
Section 3
Was Christ himself baptized?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Then cometh Jesus unto John to be baptized of him, (Matthew 3:13)
Did he thereby confer an honour upon this ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For there came a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, (Matthew 3:17)
And is this a powerful engagement upon us to submit to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, (Matthew 3:15)
Section 4
Is water baptism a sign of our fellowship with Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, (Galatians 3:27)
Is it a sign of our fellowship with him in his death?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are baptized into his death, (Romans 6:3)
And in his burial?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are buried with him in baptism, (Romans 6:4)
And in his resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we are planted together in the likeness of his resurrection, (Romans 6:5)
Is this fellowship by faith?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, (Colossians 2:12)
Section 5
Is baptism a sign of our ingrafting into Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are baptized into Jesus Christ, (Romans 6:3)
And of the crucifixion of the old man?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, (Romans 6:6)
And of the destruction of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That the body of sin might be destroyed, (Romans 6:6)
Doth it signify the removal of the guilt of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Be baptized for the remission of sins, (Acts 2:38)
And the washing away the filth of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Be baptized and wash away thy sins, (Acts 22:16)
But is baptism of itself sufficient for any of these purposes?
Answer: No.
Proof: For it is the blood of Christ that cleanseth us from all sin, (1 John 1:7)
Section 6
Is baptism an engagement to yield ourselves unto God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, (Romans 6:13)
And to live in brotherly love?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we are baptized into one body, (1 Corinthians 12:13)
And to walk in newness of life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We also should walk in newness of life, (Romans 6:4)
And was it designed to be a standing ordinance in the church of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To the end of the world, (Matthew 28:20)