Being Baptized - Lesson 1
Jesus commanded his apostles to "go teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:20). No other command is said to be done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Jesus meant for us to realize how important it is to be baptized.
"Go preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that does not believe shall be damned" (Mark. 16:15-16). Jesus said believers must be baptized to be saved. Baptism saves believers from the punishment God promises to all who stay in their sins (Read Romans 2:5-7).
If you believe, you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Read John 3:16 and John 8:24). Believing in Jesus Christ means obeying Jesus Christ. He said all men must also repent to be saved (Read Luke 13:3). Repentance means you change your mind and decide to be as good a person as you can. On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter tied repentance and baptism together. "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38). Remission of sins and being saved from sin are the same.
Peter also wrote, "The like figure, wherein baptism now saves you, not the washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 3:21). There are those who say baptism does not save. Peter said it now saves.
Being baptized in water is a burial (Read Romans 6:3-5). What do you think a burial means? The word baptism actually means being completely under water or being dipped under water. If you are baptized you will be lowered under the water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, for the remission of your sins. Going completely under the water is the only thing that can really be called baptism.
Baptism washes your sins away. When Paul was converted, a man called Ananias came to him and said, "And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name" (Acts 22:16). Nothing should stop you from being baptized, for when you are baptized, like Paul, your sins will all be washed away.
Scriptures to read and study:
Matt. 28:20
Mark. 16:15-16
Romans 2:5-7
John 3:16 and John 8:24
Acts 2:38
1 Peter 3:21
Romans 6:3-5
Acts 22:16
Questions for Study:
1. Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." Write out the words on either side of the word and. What does the word and do to these two words?
2. Which statement is wrong?
(a) He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
(b) He that believes and is not baptized shall be saved.
3. What does the word saved mean?
4. When Jesus said for us to believe, what does he want us to believe?
5. Tell what repentance is. Can you illustrate it? Make up a story that shows how someone repents.
6. Baptism is the only command ever done in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?
7. Do you think that this makes the command to be baptized important?
Fill in the blanks:
Acts 22:16: And now why tarriest thou? arise, and ______________, and _____ ________ thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Mark 16:16: He that _________ and is ________ shall be _____; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Romans 2:5: But after thy hardness and __________ heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Thought Questions:
1. Does baptism all alone wash your sins away?
2. Can one repent before he believes in Jesus?
3. Remission of sins is the same as something else. What is that? (Read the last sentence of the third paragraph in the lesson.)
4. When should a person be baptized?