SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH
Ptr. Evelyn S. Contante, EdD

MODULE 8: WATER BAPTISM

I. INTRODUCTION

Baptism is a very controversial subject, but nevertheless it is one that must be taught. In Acts 8
:26-40, Philip taught the Eunuch beyond conversion to the deeper truths of the Word of God. It was the
Eunuch who cried out, "See, here is water." We do well to lead souls to Christ, but we should also teach
assurance of salvation, Acts 8 :39. Baptism is a New Testament doctrine, but the word "baptize" is
found in I Cor. 10 :2, referring to Israel passing through the Red Sea, overshadowed by the cloud. John
the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, came preaching and baptizing.

John's message was, Mark 1:4, "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached the baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins. " John's baptism was not his own innovation but it came from
heaven, Mark 11:30. Multitudes came to be baptized by John, Luke 3:7. The intelligentsia rejected
John's baptism and consequently suffered spiritually. Luke 7:30, "... rejected the counsel of God against
themselves, being not baptized. " John only baptized those who brought forth fruit worthy of repentance,
Luke 3:8. Luke 3:8-14 lists the fruit required: benevolence, kindness, love, generosity, honesty, justice,
faithfulness, meekness, quietness, temperance, contentment. This list bears a striking resemblance to
the fruit of the Spirit listed in Gal. 5 :22

II. COMPETENCY 8

A. OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
a. Discuss the Article of Faith No. 8: Water baptism
b. Determine the significance of water baptism to a Christian’s life

B. CONTENT

Article of Faith No. 8: The Jesus the Loving Shepherd Christian Fellowship believes:

In the baptism of water by immersion for all who repent and believe in Jesus as Lord
and Savior and openly declare to walk in the newness of life.

a. THE MEANING OF BAPTISM

Baptism does not mean regeneration or forgiveness of sins. Baptism states the fact of an event
that has already transpired beforehand. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward reality--a genuine
conversion.

1. It means obedience to the command of Christ, Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved." Please note that believing comes before baptism.

2. It means following Christ's example. I Pet. 2:21, "... because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." See also John 13 :15.

3. It means fulfilling all righteousness. Matt. 3 :15, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh
us to fulfil all righteousness." If Jesus needed it, I certainly do, too.

4. It means separation by death from sin. Col. 3:3, .. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God." See also Gal. 6 :14.

5. It means identification with Christ, Rom. 6 :4-13. a. Identification in His death. Rom. 6:5,
"... planted together in the likeness of His death." b. Identification in His burial. Rom. 6:4, "... buried
WITH HIM by baptism into death." . c. Identification in His resurrection. Rom. 6:4, "... like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, Even so we also should walk in newness of life. "

6. It means association with Christ's body. I Cor. 12:13, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body." One body, the church, visible and invisible.

b. WHO MAY BE BAPTIZED?

John only baptized those who met certain standards.

1. Those who have heard the Gospel and believed it, Mark 16 :16

2. Those whose eyes are opened Acts 9:18, "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had
been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized" (Paul)

3. Those who have repented. Acts 2:38, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus." Repentance is twofold: Turning from sin and turning to serve God

4. Those who bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. Luke 3:8 and Matt. 3 :8.

5. Those who have received the Holy Ghost. Acts 10 :47, "Can any man forbid water, that these
should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

6. Those who have been taught the Word of God Matt. 28 :19,20, "Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them. . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
This would involve teaching the New Testament.

7. Those who have died, been buried and live on resurrection ground. This is the basic teaching
of Rom. 6:1-13, that every believer ought to understand well.

c. HOW SHOULD ONE BE BAPTIZED?

1. In what name?

a. Of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Matt. 28:19, the great commission.

b. In the Name of the Lord Jesus, Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5, Paul at Ephesus.

c. In the Name of the Lord, Acts 10:48. Peter referring to Gentiles.

2. What substance is used?

Water only, Acts 8:36, "See, here is water." John 3 :23, "And John also was baptizing in
Aenon . . . because there was much water there.?

3. By whom should baptism be performed?

By one or more representatives of the Church. Examples, John the Baptist, Philip, Peter,
Paul and Silas, Ananias, etc.

4. Where was baptism performed?

a. Generally in a river. Jesus, Matt. 3:13-17; John the Baptist's work, John 3 :22,23.

b. Sometimes in a building or under conditions not specified Lydia, Acts 16:13-15; the
jailor and his household, Acts 16 :33; Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8 :12,13.

5. Mode of baptism:

By immersion. The original meaning of "baptize" is to immerse. Immersion was the

commonly accepted mode of baptism in the New Testament according to history. Matt. 3
:16, the Saviour "went up straightway out of the water." Acts 8 :38,39, the Eunuch and
 Philip "... went down both into the water" and "they were come up out of the water."
According to Romans 6 :1-13, immersion is certainly a more complete picture of death,
burial and resurrection than either pouring or sprinkling. Sprinkling and pouring could
illustrate cleansing and consecration. The believer immersed in water is a sign to the
world that he has died, been buried, and resurrected and is now living for Jesus. Col. 2
:12, "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him." The important thing
is not the mode but the inner spiritual meaning.

d. WHEN SHOULD ONE BE BAPTIZED?

Not when I want to have my sins forgiven. Not when I decide to become a Protestant. Not to
advance myself socially or for business or matrimonial purposes. 1. When one is old enough to
understand and meet the conditions. Were children baptized in the New Testament? There are records
of three households being baptized: Philippian Jailor, Acts 16; Stephanas, I Cor. 1:16; Lydia, Acts
16:15, but there is no mention of children. Acts 8 :12, ".." they were baptized, both men and women."
Some prefer to dedicate children to the Lord rather than baptize them. If a child dies unbaptized will it
be lost? No. Baptism will neither save nor condemn the child. Salvation is through Christ, not through
baptism, Acts 4 :12. David's child in II Sam. 12 :15-23 died uncircumcised and unbaptized, yet David
says, "I shall go to him." And surely David went to heaven where he expected to meet it.

C. STUDENT ASSESSMENT QUESTION (SAQ)

Write your answers in the worksheet. (Note: Compile all your worksheets in one document only.
You will submit worksheets (SAQ & evaluation answers) altogether during exam day to my email
address with the file name: <your surname: Midterm WS>)

1. Read Romans 6:1-23 and write your realizations (minimum of 3 paragraphs with 20
sentences). (50%)

III. SUMMARY

In baptism, I take a public stand with God and righteousness against the devil and sin. Baptism
is a challenge to the powers of darkness. I'm living for the Lord Jesus. Baptism is an act of faith calling
on the grace of God for strength to overcome. Baptism is a command. It is not optional. It is for me to
obey and submit. If Jesus needed to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness, I surely need to be also. Let
us prayerfully and perseveringly press on to baptism and the overcoming life.

IV. EVALUATION Answer the following: (Follow the same instruction from the SAQ part.)

1. Listen to the song “I will Rise” by Bethel Music. Write your insights from the song. (50%)
3. Memorize Article of Faith No. 7.

V. REFERENCES

Douglas, A. (1966). 100 Bible Lessons.

Holy Bible. New International Version (NIV).