What Does Salvation Mean To Me?

1. What I was:
A. I was spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in
trespasses and sins;”
B. I was condemned already… John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
C. I had the wrath of God abiding on me… John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he
that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
D. I was a servant of sin… Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
E. I was headed for the lake of fire… Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.”

2. What God promised me:

A. The gift of eternal life… Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.”
B. The forgiveness of sins… Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins:”
C. Salvation through his grace… Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all
men,”
D. To dwell in my heart… Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love,”
E. The love of Christ… Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might
be filled with all the fulness of God.”
F. The joy of Jesus Christ… John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full.”
G. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding… Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

3. What I did:
A. I called upon the Name of the Lord… Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved.”
B. I confessed in my heart… Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
C. I received Him… John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:”
D. I repented of my sins… Acts 17:30 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent:”

4. What God did:

A. Justified me freely… Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus”
B. Washed me from my sins… Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our
sins in his own blood,”
C. Secured my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life… Revelation 21:27 “And there shall in no wise enter into it any
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the
Lamb's book of life.”
D. Adopted me as a son of God…. Romans 8:14-15 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God.” “ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
E. Accepted me in the Beloved… Ephesians 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.”
F. Sanctified me … I Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but
ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
G. Made me a new creature… 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Repentance: a change of attitude resulting from a change of action (about sin).

Justification: to be declared “as not guilty” (just-if-I’d never sinned).
Sanctification: to be set apart by God and for God.
Grace: Undeserved (unmerited) favor.
 Assurance of Salvation

Outline

Lesson 1
A. What is meant by assurance?
B. Why do I need Assurance of Salvation?
C. What is the basis of salvation?

Lesson 2
D. How may I know I am saved?
E. What Brings Assurance of Salvation Into My Life?
F. What Happens if I sin?
G. Can I Ever Lose My Salvation?

Introduction:

Satan tries to:

• Get you to doubt your salvation
• Cause you to wonder if you are really a Christian
• Tell you that because you don’t feel any different than before (nothing supernatural happened), nothing really happened.

Why does Satan do this?

• So that then you might sin, might slip back into your old ways.
• Satan is quick to sow the seeds of doubt by telling you Christians don’t sin.
• Don’t let yourself feel defeated! Don’t give up, keep following the Christian Life.

Ephesian 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice:” “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

The assurance of salvation prevents a crisis of confidence. Kinda like children – parent relationships, husband – wife
relationships. God doesn’t give up on us and we don’t give up on him just because things get tough (we sin).

The purpose of this study is to teach you that by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are saved now and forever.

And you can know it for certain!

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT. Without it, we tend tell feel defeated (since we all tend to sin), give up and just slip back into
your old ways.

Other religions and denomination of Christianity use this guilt to control, enslave their congregations to their
religion/denomination.

A. What is meant by assurance?

By assurance of salvation” we mean the intellectual and spiritual certainty that you belong to God, that you possess
eternal salvation?

• Intellectually - II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know
whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

The key words are: KNOW and PERSUADED.

• Spiritually - I John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may
know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

On the basis of this scripture, does God want you have assurance of salvation? YES

The keys words are that “ye may know that ye have eternal life”
B. Why do I (as a frail human being) need Assurance of Salvation?

• I John 1:4 “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

Assurance brings us JOY (it relieves our anxiety)

• 1 John 3:19-21 “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” “For if our heart
condemn us (GUILT?), God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God.”

Assurance brings us CONFIDENCE before God

• Colossians 2:2 “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance
of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”

Assurance brings us COMFORT of Heart (how to understand this crazy world and what’s happening around us)

• James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Assurance brings us STABILITY. It makes us confident.

• I John 5:4-5 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith.” “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Assurance enables us to OVERCOME the World.

• Assurance enables us to effectively serve the Lord by telling others about Jesus:

o John 1:40 “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.”

o John 4:28-29 “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,” “Come, see a
man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”

o Acts 16: 10 “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering
that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.”

C. What is the basis of salvation?

Many Christians base their assurance of salvation upon personal FEELINGS.

The problem with this is that your feelings change. One day you may feel saved. The next day due to circumstances, you
may NOT feel saved

You have something MORE than feelings to go by – the unchanging WORD OF GOD:

1 John 5:11-12 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” “He that hath the
Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

There Are THREE grounds for your assurance:

• The Person of GOD

o Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

GOD CANNOT LIE – That settles that!

• The Promises of GOD

o John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

o John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

o Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

These are just samplings of the positive statements – put in writing by the God who cannot lie.
 • The Presence of GOD

o Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us.

God gives us His HOLY GHOST who dwells in our hearts.

o Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit (thru the Word of God) that we are in fact God’s children.

God’s witness of Jesus Christ has always been given in scripture which leads is substantiated in:

I John 5:9-10 “ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he
hath testified of his Son.” “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God
hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

D. How may I know I am saved?

• I know I am saved because I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ

o Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

• I know I am saved because I HATH the Son

o I John 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

• I know I am saved because I have a love for the brethren.

o I John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in death.”

• I know I am saved because I desire to keep God’s commandments.

o I john 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”

• I know I am saved because I desire to turn from the World and all its sin.
o I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the
Father is not in him.”

• I know I am saved because I am overcoming the World.

o I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.”

• I know I am saved because I have the witness of the Spirit within me through the Word
o I John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made
him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

• I know I am saved because my life is evidencing good fruit.

o Matthew 7:17-18 “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” “A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”

• I know I am saved because I hear the Lord’s voice (through the word) and desire to follow Him.
o John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

E. What Brings Assurance of Salvation Into My Life?

It is possible you may have doubts from time to time (AM I REALLY SAVED?) Just remember Satan is a liar

John 8:44 “[Jesus speaking to the Pharisees] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was
a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

And Satans’s first recorded words in the Bible were those casting doubt upon God’s Word:

Genesis 3:1” Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said
unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
 • Learn the Word of God

Your salvation is based upon what God has said – NOT on how you think or feel. Thus it is important for you to read and
study the Bible!

II Timothy 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them; “ “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

• Thank God for His Gift of Salvation

Romans 6:23 says you have received the gift of ETERNAL LIFE. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Have you thanked God for this gift? Thanksgiving is evidence of FAITH!

II Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

• Make a Public Testimony Before Others

o Have you told someone that you have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ? Look at I John 4:15 to see the relationship
between confessing Christ and assurance (of your salvation):

I John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

o Read:
Matthew 10:32 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven.”

Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Besides coming forward in church to confess to others your belief in Christ, do you tell others that you believe in HIM?

• Attend Church Meetings as MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Fellowshipping with your brothers and sisters in Christ will encourage you. Many of them have experienced the same
doubts you have.

Read the great passage in Hebrews 10:22-25 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” “Let us hold fast the profession of
our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love
and to good works:” “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

• Live a Righteous Life

Sometimes a full assurance does not come until we mean business for Him!

According to Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and
assurance for ever. The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever.”

Proverbs 10:9 “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”

Remember: your peace and assurance of salvation is based upon believing God’s Promises and Word… Not on your
feelings.

F. What Happens if I sin? This is important because this is what makes most Christians feel defeated – that they are not
saved!

• Is it possible for a Christian to sin? YES

I John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
 • Does God want a Christian to sin? NO

I John 2:1 “ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

• If a Christian sins, what is the one thing we are to do about it? Confess it to God.

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

• When I sin, Who appears before God the Father in heaven on my behalf? Jesus Christ.

I John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

• What does a Christian lose if he sins? Fellowship with other Christians.

I John 1:6-10 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: “But if we walk
in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” “If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “If we say that we
have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

G. Can I Ever Lose My Salvation?

• John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my
hand.”

• John 10:29 “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's
hand.”

• John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

• John 6:39 “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but
should raise it up again at the last day.”

• John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

• Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come,” “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

• I Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

• Jude 1:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy,”

• Phillipians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the
day of Jesus Christ:”

• Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also
after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” [sealed with the Holy Spirit].

• Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

• Ephesians 2:9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” [If we can do nothing to gain it, how can WE lose it?]

• Before we were saved we were under the control of Satan: Ephesians 2:2-3 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:” “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

God is our heavenly father.

Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
 Christians are the Sons of God.
I John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

In our Earthly family, when a child does wrong, his parents do not cast him out of the family and disown him. They correct
and chasten their child… but the child is still a member of the family.When a Christian sins, they are not cast out of God’s
family, thus losing their salvation. However, like any loving father, God will chastize the erring Christian to restore them to
fellowship. In Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

Memorize:

1 John 5: 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the
Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
 Baptism
Outline

1. What is Baptism?
2. Who should be baptized?
3. What does Baptism do?
4. What does Baptism mean?
5. What does Baptism make me?
6. Who has the authority to Baptize?
7. Why should we be baptized?

The subject of “baptism” is one of the most confusing and controversial subjects in all the Bible teachings. Many types
of “churches” practice many types of “baptism”. Some sprinkle, some pour, and some immerse. Some do it to infants,
others to adults, and some even baptize on behalf of the deceased! The others tell us that it is not important thing to
do, so they practice no “baptism” at all.

History tells us that baptism has been one of the most divisive issue for the last 2,000 years. Our Baptist forefathers
paid dearly for their stand on the Bible truth of baptism. Millions were cruelly put to death just because they refused
to have children “sprinkled,” or dared to cling to the teaching of God’s Word. We may not have to face such
persecution today – but we ought to be willing to take a stand for truth.

You can learn the truth by carefully studying the following scriptures. Set aside any preconceived notions and see
exactly what the Bible teaches. DO NOT COMPROMISE!

1. What is Baptism?

A. Ephesians 4:1-5 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called,” “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” “Endeavouring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your
calling;” “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” How many baptisms are there?

B. Colossians 2:12 “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised him from the dead.” What is baptism called? (It is a burial.)

C. Romans 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that 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.” We are buried in the likeness of Christ’s death by
baptism.

D. Romans 6:5 “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection:” Baptism pictures a planting.
Which action in D (immersion or sprinkling) best pictures a burial, or planting?

E. Matthew 3:6 “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Where did John the Baptist baptize?

F. John 3:23 “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and
were baptized.” What was John the Baptist’s reason for baptizing at a place called AEnon (there was much water there)?
What does this say about the method of baptizing? (it required a lot of water, i.e.; immersion.)

G. Mark 1:10 “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending
upon him:” When Jesus was baptized, what did He come up out of?

H. Acts 8:38-39 “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the
eunuch; and he baptized him.” “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. When Phillip baptized at the Ethiopian, what was the
relationship of both men to the water?

I. From your honest study of these verses of scripture, what do you conclude to be the proper mode of Baptism: Sprinkling,
pouring, or immersion? Also:

i. The Greek rendered “baptize” in your Bible “baptidzo.” The meaning of “baptidzo” is to dip, plunge, immerse,
overwhelm.” ALL reputable Greek scholars agree on this point?
 ii. Pope Stephen II declared the practice of pouring for baptism was valid in the case of sick candidates in the year 754 AD.
The Roman Catholic Council of Ravenna, 1311 AD gave the first official sanction of sprinkling. Prior to these times,
immersion was the usual mode of practice. In some Roman Catholic circlers, immersion was practiced in the 1700s.

2. Who should be baptized?

A. Repentance was required before baptism. Matthew 3:7-8 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come
to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” “Bring
forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”

B. You must be made a disciple and then get baptized. John 4:1 “When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had
heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,”

C. First you must accept Jesus Christ then get baptized. Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

D. You must believe FIRST then be baptized. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

Why would a church want baptism before belief?

E. Belief was required before the Ethiopian’s baptism. Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

F. A person receives the Holy Spirit after belief, not baptism. Acts 10:47 “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Thereby implying they already had the Holy Spirit even though
they had not be baptized.)”

G. Lydia worshiped God before being baptized. Acts 16:14-15 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which
were spoken of Paul.” “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be
faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

H. Another belief BEFORE baptism – keeper of the prision and his household. Acts 16:30-34 “And brought them out, and
said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.” “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” “And he took them the same
hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” “And when he had brought them
into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

I. List the three (3) steps taken by the Corinthians as given in Acts 18:8 “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue,
believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”

i. Hearing
ii. Believing
iii. Baptism

J. From your study of these verses of scripture, who do you conclude to be the proper candidates for Baptism?

i. Babies
ii. Believers
iii. Jews

Having drawn your conclusion from the Bible, the following information will reinforce the truth:
• There is NO evidence of “infant baptism” in the first couple centuries of church history. The first recorded instance of
“infant baptism” was when Roman emperor Valens insisted his dying son be baptized – in the year 370 AD
• Infant baptism was eventually made “law” by the Catholic Council of Mela in the year 416 AD. It was from this point
that the bloody butchering of Baptists began to be practiced by other “Christians.”

3. What does Baptism do?

Many people believe (and are taught) that baptism is a sacrament – that is a “means of God’s grace” – a channel through
which salvation comes. But let’s study:

A. Faith is the channel of saving grace. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:”
 B. We are not saved by anything we “do”. Ephesians 2:9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

C. Our sins are cleansed through:

i. The WORD of GOD
a. Ephesians 5:26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

b. John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” [Sanctify - To set apart for sacred use; consecrate. To
make holy; purify]

ii. By the blood of Jesus

a. Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince
of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

b. Revelation 7:14 “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

D. Baptism is not essential for salvation. Reference Luke. One thief was saved. Was he ever baptized? – NO! Luke 23:32,
33, 39-43 “32And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33And when they were come to
the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on
the left. 34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast
lots. 35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save
himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37
And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of
Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on
him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God,
seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this
man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

E. From your study of this scripture, what part in your salvation does baptism play?

i. No part
ii. Some part
iii. Absolutely essential

4. What does Baptism mean?

A. Look up: I Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye
have received, and wherein ye stand;” “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless
ye have believed in vain.” “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures;” “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

i. What does Paul declare here? The Gospel

ii. Where does he ask them to keep it? In Memory
iii. Exactly what is Gospel (Good News)? …”Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” “And that he was
buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

B. According to Romans 6:4-5 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that 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.” “ For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Baptism is called the Likeness of
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

C. Look up I Peter 3:21 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Baptism is called the Like
Figure
(Be careful, as you read this verse, It does not teach that baptism saves anyone; it is that which baptism pictures that
saves. Baptism is the answer or response of a good conscience. We get a good conscience before God when we are
saved!)

D. From your study and consideration…

i. A symbol of the Gospel

ii. The washing away of sins

5. What does Baptism make me?

 We have already seen that baptism plays no part in our salvation. A person is scripturally baptized AFTER salvation, NOT
before it.

There are two things your baptism will make you:

A. Baptism makes you a Baptist

Attending a Baptist church is wonderful but that doesn’t make you a “Baptist.” It is only when you are scriptually baptized
that you become a Baptist In Fact. Salvation makes us a Christian. Baptism makes us a Baptist. Thus, every Baptist
is a Christian but not every Christian is a Baptist.

i. The name Baptist is a biblical name and found 15 times in the new testament referring to Jogn the Baptist. According to
Matthew 3:1 “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.” John was a Baptist before he
ever baptized anyone. It is a God-given name (he wasn’t called John the Catholic or John the Presbyterian, etc. or as
some moderm translations of the bible say “John the Baptizer”)

ii. Christ honored John the Baptist – Matthew 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there
hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he.”

iii. All the apostles received Baptist baptism. This was never repudiated – in fact it was a requirement for church office.
Acts 1:22 “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be
ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

The name “Baptist” stands for:

• What we believe ( in Jesus Christ) – I Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third
day according to the scriptures:”

• What we are (saved) – Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from
the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness.”

• What we do (spread the Gospel) – Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

B. Baptism Makes You A Church Member

Look up Acts 2:41-42 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.” “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers.”

The order of events was:

• Receive the Word (salvation)
• Baptism
• Added unto them (church membership)
• Continued steadfastly (Christian growth)

According to John 3:3-5, the “new birth” is the doorway to eternal life. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man
be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” “Jesus answered, Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

According to Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.” and I Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we
be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Baptism (which follows salvation) is the doorway into membership of a church (a body of baptized believers).

6. Who has the authority to Baptize?

A. Two facts to keep in mind:

i. There is a “Heinz 57” variety of ‘baptisms’ in the religious world today.

 ii. According to Ephesians 4:5 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism”
There is only ONE BAPTISM – so all cannot be right!

B. Authority to Baptize was given to New Testament Churches

i. Just before our Lord ascended back to Heaven, He left orders for His work to be continued. These orders are given in
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost:” “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”; also in Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21 and Acts 1:8

ii. The Lord gave this Great Commission institutionally to His Church. Since the command to “baptize” was given to New
Testament Churches and not to INDIVIDUALS or any man-made religion.

iii. The Lord Jesus walked 60 miles from Galiee to Judea to receive the right of Baptism. He obviously considered the
authority to Baptize (John the Baptist) was important.

C. The Four (4) REQUIREMENTS for Baptism to be scriptural

• Saved candidates
• Submersion in water
• Symbolic representation
• Scriptural authority

All those who desire Baptism are baptized on the authority of the Church. Even though a pastor actually performs the
act, he does so on the behalf of the church body. This is why:

• All those desiring Baptism are presented before the church membership and the church votes to receive them
into the membership upon their baptism.
• The Church receives members from other Baptist churches of like faith and order by way of a “Letter of
Commendation”. See II Corinthians 3:1 “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others,
epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?”
• The Church does not receive into membership those who have been baptized into some man-made religion,
church, or denomination. As with our ancient Baptist forbearers, we require scriptural baptism in such cases.

7. Why should we be baptized?

Some people do not place great import on baptism – seeing it as either unnecessary, or as an “optional extra” to being a
Christian. On the other hand, other denominations and sects attach great significance having it indicate salvation or an indication
of true belief. The Word of God places great emphasis upon the ordinance (an established rite or
ceremony) of Baptism.

The “symbol” of Christianity is not the “fish” or cross – but the emblem of baptism.

Here are some reasons YOU SHOULD BE BAPTIZED:

A. The Lord Jesus Christ was Baptized

i. He came from Galilee to Jordan (60 miles) to be baptized by John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” “But John forbad him,
saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be
so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” “And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased.”

ii. Jesus said His baptism “becometh us…” meaning it is fitting.

iii. Jesus used the word “us” in verse 15 indicating we associate or identify ourselves with Him when we follow him in
Baptism.

iv. God the Father was well pleased. When God the Son was baptized.

B. Baptism is a command from the Lord

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost:” “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
 The command to baptize was given to the Lord’s churches. It follows that those who are won to Christ have a duty to be
baptized. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

C. Baptism is the Bible Way

i. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

ii. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Includes both men and women.)

D. All Christians are exhorted to be faithful in Church attendance:

Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Can we properly follow this command and NOT be a
member of a Baptist church? And NOT be baptized?

If you have not been baptized, Read Acts 8:36 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch
said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”