Posts Tagged ‘baptism’
Would I be saved if I only got baptized because all my friends were being baptized?
Question: If I was baptized when I was 12 just because my friends were being baptized would this be a saving baptism? Answer: If your only reason for being baptized was to imitate your friends, then how was it different from following your friends in jumping into a pool? What gives baptism its meaning is…
Read MoreShould you baptize someone who doesn’t plan to be a member of the church?
Question: I read Baptized but Not Converted on your site, but I have a more specific question. After a long study with some ladies, they all came to the conclusion that baptism was essential for salvation. One of the ladies, right before she was baptized, indicated that she wouldn’t be attending services. Should she have been…
Read MoreI’m worried that I wasn’t baptized properly
Question: Hey, I’ve been reading your articles about baptism and asked my Christian parents to baptize me. They were very kind and asked me if I believed in Jesus. I did everything right, except I’m very worried I was not under the water properly. They keep saying I was so I try to believe them,…
Read MoreThe Corinthians’ Error on Baptism
by Perry Hall “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Corinthians 1:17 CSB). When people today use this passage to discredit the place and importance of baptism, ironically they make the same mistake as the Corinthians but for a different reason. Paul’s actual defense of baptism shows that…
Read MoreI’m not sure I was baptized correctly
Question: Hi, I hope you all are well. I’m a sister (I think) and your website has given me great encouragement and also some questions recently. I was baptized after several months of Bible study. I am concerned that it may not have been done the right way or that I may not have had…
Read MoreWas baptism commanded in the Old Testament at the time of John the Baptist?
Question: Was baptism commanded in the Old Covenant at the time of John the Baptist? I thought baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament for salvation. I have always heard that baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament. Am I missing something here? Mark 1:4 mentions John’s baptism of repentance for the remission…
Read MoreWe Were All Baptized
by Doy Moyer One of the most significant arguments for baptism that I believe is under-utilized is the fact that the epistles, written to those who are already Christians, assume that the believers were all baptized. Look at passages like Romans 6:3-6; I Corinthians 1:13; 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:10-13; etc. These are not written…
Read MoreBy Grace Through Faith with the Washing of Water
by Terry Wane Benton Notice the prepositions: by, through, and with. The Book of Ephesians uses all three to describe what is involved with our salvation. It teaches we are saved by grace. It teaches we are saved through faith. It teaches we are saved with the washing of water by the word. It is…
Read MoreBaptized into Christ
by Terry Wane Benton Image by Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, said that the Israelites were “baptized into Moses” when they were crossing the Red Sea while fleeing Pharaoh and his armies. They were immersed under a cloud of water and with the walls of water on each side (I…
Read MoreI wonder if I falsely remember being baptized
Question: Some say it is absolutely wrong to be baptized more than once and to not do it. Some say it is an outward sign to others, and one can be baptized more than once for various reasons. I have even read that water baptism is not necessary for salvation, which I can agree to a point.…
Read MoreInfant Baptism (Tant)
by Jefferson David Tant A well-known practice in various denominations is that of infant baptism. This would include Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and others. The question is, “Is this Scriptural? Is authority for this found in the Bible?” An examination of historical records indicates that there is no definite evidence of infant baptism being practiced…
Read MoreWhere God Put Water
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Where-God-Put-Water.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy Water?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Why-Water.mp3 Text: John 3:1-12 I. Jesus stated that unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven – John 3:5 A. We understand, despite efforts by many to avoid it, that Jesus refers to baptism when he said one must be born of water B. Today, I would like to…
Read MoreImmersion, Pouring, and Sprinkling: A History
by Bruce Edwards, Jr. Truth Magazine XIX:27 (May 15, 1975), pp. 422-424 This writer can remember witnessing at the age of five the “baptism” of his infant cousin; the denominational “pastor” sprinkled drops of water upon his forehead. I wondered at the significance of that action then, but now, with an increased understanding of the…
Read MoreWas the great commission only commanded to the apostles?
Question: Was the great commission only commanded to the apostles? Answer: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy…
Read MoreRenewed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Renewed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. At times we stop and sigh. Wouldn’t it be nice to return to the days of childhood, when we didn’t have a care in the world? When we were ignorant of all the problems in the world and unacquainted with sin? – Matthew 18:3 A. In our…
Read MoreInto What Were You Baptized?
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, March 2000 Which came first? Admission into the church universal or the local church? To some, baptism is an ordinance of the church (that is, the local church). From that perspective, one is baptized into the local church. The truth of the matter is, however, that one is baptized into…
Read MoreThe Place of Water Baptism
by Ken Green “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6: 4). Many consider baptism an empty symbol. Let us briefly reflect upon the significance of…
Read MoreHow do we know for sure that the mentally disabled don’t need to be baptized?
Question: Hello, I have a question. How do we know for sure that the mentally disabled don’t need to be baptized? Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about them being baptized nor not being. A lot of people use the Scriptures and of the disciples not letting the children come to see him, and…
Read MoreWhat is successionist baptism?
Question: Hello brother, I had a question about John Smith. Can you please explain to me what successionist baptism is? I saw it in your “Where Do They All Come From” sermon, and I just didn’t understand very well what this baptism is about. Answer: Successionism is the belief that there has to be an…
Read MoreDoes Acts 2:39 teach infant baptism?
Question: Good morning sir, Please, I need your help in explaining Acts 2:39 because someone I am discussing it with is trying to use that passage as a backup for infant baptism. He said that Acts 2:38-39, according to the Greek translation, means babies should be baptized according to their parents’ faith. Answer: Let’s first…
Read MoreWhat does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean?
Question: What does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean in I Peter 3:21? I already know that “Baptism also saves you” as stated in the first part of this verse, but what exactly is the “filth of the flesh”? Answer: Sometimes it helps to look at other translations. “Corresponding to…
Read MoreI’m having doubts about my baptism
Question: Hello, I hope you are well. I have a question about baptism. When I was 13, I was baptized into Christ. However, I later realized I had only done it out of pressure. I was baptized into Christ when I was 19. Not long after, I began to have doubts as to if I…
Read MoreWhat About the Thief on the Cross? (Bassford)
by Matthew W. Bassford When it comes to discussion about baptism for the forgiveness of sins, most Christians know all the steps of the dance. If we’re studying with a non-Christian and we show them passages like Acts 2:38 and I Peter 3:21, one of two things is going to happen. Either they are going…
Read MoreIs my baptism invalid because I panicked while under the water?
Question: I have a question. I have been a Christian or saved person for the past 4 or 5 years, I had never been baptized before. Yesterday, I was baptized and I panic while underwater. Then it was over and they lifted me up out of the water. I was disappointed in myself for panicking. Now…
Read MoreDoes the person doing the baptism have to be an official in the church?
Question: I’m curious to know what you think about this. I think there are some Christians who believe in order for your baptism to valid, it must be done by someone appointed by God as a minister, elder, or some kind of official position. We know people such as Peter and Philip baptized, but they…
Read MoreEven after being baptized, my sister refused to leave her lesbian relationship
Question: Good afternoon, I need help. My sister in Christ was baptized. She has started a relationship with another woman. I’ve taken her over to Leviticus chapter 18 and studied with her about this. But she refuses to end the relationship. She’s married to this woman and needs a place to stay. I’ve prayed about…
Read MoreHow many times does a person need to be immersed during a baptism?
Question: I want to know if it is necessary to say “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” during a baptism? And is immersion valid if it is done once in the name of the Father, once in the name of the Son and once in…
Read MoreDid Jesus receive the Holy Spirit when he was baptized?
Question: My question is about Jesus and him being baptized. Did he receive the Holy Spirit during his baptism? Answer: When Peter said, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38), he…
Read MoreConfusing Mercy with Justice
by Matthew W. Bassford The other Sunday, I was approached by one of the younger sisters at church. She had a couple of questions. They involved hypotheticals that many of us have encountered before. What about the tribesman in the Amazon jungle who never gets to hear about the gospel? What about the man who…
Read MoreIf I don’t remember making a confession, do I need to be baptized again?
Question: Hello! First and foremost I want to offer my appreciation for your website and the encouragement it brings to many. I have been struggling with doubts about my personal salvation over the last few years and was hoping you could bring me some clarity/advice on what my next step should be. I want to…
Read MoreWas John’s baptism able to save people?
Question: Good morning sir, I have been reading about the baptism of John and how he came to make a way for Jesus to come to be accepted, but I am confused about whether his baptism was able to save people before Jesus’ baptism in Acts 2:38. If someone baptized by John died before Jesus’…
Read MoreDo all Christians become saints in the same way?
Question: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (I Corinthians 1:2). Could you use this verse to explain to someone that all…
Read MoreIsn’t Acts 2:38 under the Old Covenant?
Question: Hello, I have a question for you. Isn’t Acts 2:38 still under the Old Covenant? I notice that everyone saved after Acts 2:38 was told to just believe. Acts 2:38 was intended for those Jews who were under the Old Covenant and it is the last we see of water baptism until the New…
Read MoreShould baptism be denied if the person has not fixed all known sin?
Question: Hi, I am a member of the Lord’s church having had my sins washed away, and I also actively evangelize. I read the topic below and have been studying this and have a few scenarios. If a person is in an unscriptural marriage, must the person divorce before becoming a Christian? My questions, based…
Read MoreWhat if I didn’t repent before baptism?
Question: Hi. I was on your page and I have a question. I was baptized again 2.5 years ago because I was baptized for the wrong reasons the first time. ( pleasing others, etc). Before my second baptism, I didn’t repent of my sins. I remember thinking, well I’m going to continue in sin afterward,…
Read MoreWhy Were They Baptized so Soon?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Why-Were-They-Baptized-so-Soon.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 16:25-33 I. When you read through the book of Acts, an odd fact seems to stand out — everyone is in a big hurry to be baptized. A. They don’t wait for another meal, or sleep on the idea, or wait for another day to go by. B. Those who…
Read MoreBaptisms of the New Testament
Baptisms of the New TestamentBaptisms of the New Testament – Part 2Baptisms of the New Testament – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. How is it that Paul talks of one baptism in Ephesians 4:5 when the New Testament speaks of more than one? A. Baptism means immersion 1. You can have different…
Read MoreSince baptism is like circumcision, then isn’t it unnecessary?
Question: I would like to know, is it really important for a grown person to be baptized? If you feel like you are renewing your inner spirit man and reading the Bible and spending alone time with God, then isn’t that enough? It’s the same as what Paul describes circumcision and uncircumcision. Why is it…
Read MoreThe New Birth of Water
by James E. Cooper in Biblical Insights, Vol. 5, No. 2, Feb. 2005 Question: “Does ‘born of water’ in John 3:3,5 refer to baptism? Answer: Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” and “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom…
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