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Water Baptism |
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according to . .
.
THE BIBLE and HISTORICAL REFERENCES
that relate to
doctrines and practices of the Early
Church, 33-100 A.D. |
|
Compiled by Lewis Manuwal |
|
SHOULD YOU BE IMMERSED or SPRINKLED
WHEN BAPTIZED?
The LAST MESSAGE preached by
Jesus was a COMMAND to BAPTIZE all
nations. Matthew 28:19
The FIRST MESSAGE preached by the
apostles resulted in a command for
EVERYONE to be BAPTIZED. Acts 2:38
BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD
BE ADMINISTERED ACCORDING TO
SCRIPTURE.
Below are two
columns listing the SCRIPTURES for
IMMERSION
and the SCRIPTURES for SPRINKLING |
|
IMMERSION |
SPRINKLING |
| MUCH WATER |
" And John also
was baptizing in Aenon . . . because
there was much water there"
John 3:23 |
| INTO THE WATER |
"They went down
both into the water, . . . and he
baptized him" Acts 8:38 |
| OUT OF THE WATER |
"They were come
up out of the water" Acts 8:39 |
| BURIED |
"We are buried
with him by baptism" Romans 6:4 |
| PLANTED |
"We have been
planted together" Romans 6:5 |
|
Without question the early
church taught and practiced baptism
by immersion.
Paul said, "If
we or an angel from heaven preach
any other gospel let him be
accursed" Galatians 1:8, 9
|
| |
|
IMMERSE or SPRINKLE? |
|
BAPTIZO - GREEK |
RANTIZO - GREEK |
Below are writings of eminent Bible
scholars and authorities on the
subject.
Most of these references can be
found in your local library. |
| Greek-English
Lexicon |
Baptism taken from
Greek word baptizo - to dip,
immerse. |
| Classic
Greek-English Dictionary, by
Pollet |
Greek word
baptizo means to dip under. |
| Greek-English
Dictionary, by Divry's |
Greek word
baptizo - to immerse. |
| Schaff-Herzog
Religious Encyclopedia |
Baptism was always a
burial. The command to baptize was
a command to immerse. Vol 1, pg
451 |
| Catholic Biblical
Encyclopedia |
Immersion was oldest
method employed. Buried in
baptism. Romans 6:4. Pg 61,
Paragraph 2. |
| Encyclopedia
Dictionary of the Bible |
It is evident that
the action performed in baptizing
was immersion. Page 202 |
| World Book
Encyclopedia |
The early church
practiced immersion or submerging
under the water. Volume 2, page
70. |
| Encyclopedia of
Lutheran Church |
Martin Luther
preferred immersion as more true to
original practice. Volume 1,
Page 188. |
| Pulpit Commentary,
by Eminent Scholars |
Romans 6:4, "Buried
in baptism." The reference is to
baptism by immersion. Volume 18,
Page 156. |
| An important factor
is overlooked by the exponents of
sprinkling. The original New
Testament text and the spoken
language of that day was Greek. The
authors of the New Testament knew
the Greek word "baptizo" meant to
immerse. They also knew the Greek
word "rantizo" meant to sprinkle.
These often used words were never
interchangeable, having separate
meanings. If God had intended for
His ministers to sprinkle, the Greek
word "rantizo" would have been
employed, not "baptizo."
If sprinkling
cannot be found in the Bible, then
the practice is a tradition of man,
which makes the "word of God of
none effect" Mark 7:13 |
INFANT BAPTISM?
| As with sprinkling,
the doctrine of infant baptism
cannot be found in the New Testament
without adding to it. Scriptural
logic cries out against infant
baptism. The very mode (immersion)
makes it illogical and impractical.
The teaching surrounding baptism
automatically prohibits it. |
| MATTHEW 28:19 |
Teach all
nations, baptizing them"
Teaching or preaching must precede
baptism. See Acts 2:41. |
| ACTS 8:36-37 |
Eunuch, "What
doth hinder me to be baptized?"
Philip, "If Thou believest with
all thine heart." Believing is
a prerequisite of baptism. See Mark
16:16. |
| ACTS 2:38 |
"Repent and be
baptized everyone of you."
Repentance must precede baptism.
See Luke 24:47 |
|
Chambers
Encyclopedia. Vol 2, Pg 112 |
The first recipients
of baptism were adults. Infant
baptism was a later development that
led to sprinkling. |
| Interpreters
Bible Dictionary, Vol. 1, Pg. 352 |
There is no direct
evidence in the New Testament for
infant baptism |
| Encyclopedia
Britannica, Vol 1, Pg 138 |
The earliest
Christian literature makes no
reference to baptism of infants |
| History of
Church, by Walker, Pgs 87, 88 |
The first mention of
infant baptism was about 185 A.D.
Not universal until 6th Century. |
| Time Magazine,
Pg. 58 - May 1968 |
That 350 Lutheran
pastors of W. Germany wish to
abandon infant baptism. Many of
these same pastors refused to
baptize their own infants. They
felt that baptism should be
understood first by the recipient. |
| Time Magazine, Pg
58 - May 1968 |
That Karl Barth of
Switzerland, the best known
theologian of 20th Century said,
"There is not Biblical basis for
infant baptism - this tradition is
simply an old error of the church." |
|
A child should be
old enough to receive teaching,
believe, and repent of sin before
being baptized.
Dedicating children to God and
asking Him to bless them is
Biblical. This Jesus did in Luke
18: 15-17, Matthew 19: 13-15. |
BAPTISM -- IS IT IN THE PLAN OF
SALVATION?
| JOHN 3:5 |
"Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Most Bible commentaries agree
that water here refers to baptism.
See, Matthew Henry;
Adam Clark; History Christian
Church, Walker; Catholic
Encyclopedia; Oxford Dictionary of
Church; Interpreters Dictionary of
Bible; Temples Bible Dictionary.
|
| MARK 16:16 |
"He that
believeth and is baptized shall be
saved." Notice how Jesus places
baptism in conjunction with
salvation. |
| I PETER 3:21 |
"Baptism doth
also now save us." Also see
Acts 10:6, 48 |
| HEBREWS 9:22 |
The application of
the blood of Christ is necessary to
remit sin. What then is the
Biblical way to receive remission of
sin? The answer to this question
will also be the way to get the
Savior's blood applied. |
| LUKE 24:47 |
"Repentance and
remission of sins should be preached
in his name" (Jesus) |
| ACTS 2:38 |
'Repent and be
baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins . . . " The
blood of Jesus is applied through
water baptism in the name of Jesus.
Also see I John 5:8 and Acts 22:16. |
|
Every New
Testament church was formed by those
whom were baptized after believing
and repenting.
Galatians 3:27 and 1 Corinthians
12:13. |
| 1. CHURCH AT
JERUSALEM |
3000 WERE BAPTIZED |
Acts 2:41 |
| 2. CHURCH AT
SAMARIA |
Believed & were
baptized, men & women. |
Acts 8:12-16 |
| 3. CHURCH AT
CAESAREA |
Peter commanded them
to be baptized |
Acts 10:48 |
| 4. CHURCH AT
PHILLIPPI |
Lydia & the
Phillippian jailer baptized |
Acts 16:14-33 |
| 5. CHURCH AT
CORINTH |
Believed and were
baptized |
Acts 18:8 |
| 6. CHURCH AT
EPHESUS |
Paul rebaptizes
certain disciples |
Acts 19:1-6 |
| 7. CHURCH AT
GALATIA |
Believed Paul and
baptized into Christ |
Gal. 3:27 |
| 8. CHURCH AT
COLOSSE |
They were buried
with Christ in Baptism |
Col. 2:12 |
| 9. CHURCH AT
ROME |
They died to sin,
then buried in baptism |
Romans 6:1-4 |
Baptism
1. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON &
HOLY GHOST
OR
2. IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Which of these were practiced by the
Apostles and the Early Church?
|
Below are two
columns for listing the scriptures
where the Apostles either taught or
practiced water baptism |
|
IN THE NAME OF
JESUS |
FATHER, SON
AND HOLY GHOST |
| Jews -
"Repent and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ"
Acts 2:38 |
|
| Samaritans -
They were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16 |
| Gentiles -
"And he (Peter) commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord"
Acts 10:48. Jesus is Lord (Acts
2:36) |
| Peter taught -
For there is none other name
under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved" Acts
4:12. |
| Paul taught -
"And whatever you do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus" Col. 3:17 |
| Matthew 28:19 was a
command by Jesus to baptize in a
NAME. The Apostles did not repeat
the words of the command, but they
did obey it as seen in the
scriptures above. Since Father, Son
and Holy Ghost are titles of the
manifestations of the Almighty
Spirit and His body, the Apostles
understood His SAVING NAME to be
JESUS. Can any dare say that the
Apostles disobeyed the Lord, or
failed to baptize properly? THE
NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY
GHOST IS JESUS. The actions of the
Apostles in the Book of Acts prove
this to be true. |
Baptism
IN THE NAME OF JESUS
HOW DID THE EARLY CHURCH INTERPRET
CHRIST'S COMMAND IN MATTHEW 28:19?
ACTS 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, and 19:5
are four Biblical references that answer
this question. If the Biblical record
is not enough, please examine the
findings of the educated scholars and
historians.
| Encyclopedia of
Religion and Ethics (1951), II, 384,
389 |
"The formula used
was 'in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ' or some synonymous phrase." |
| Interpreter's
Dictionary of the Bible (1962), I,
351 |
"The evidence . . .
suggests that baptism in early
Christianity was administered not in
the threefold name, but 'in the name
of Jesus Christ' or 'in the name of
the Lord Jesus." |
| Hastings's
Dictionary of the Bible (1898), I,
241 |
"[One could conclude
that] the original form of words was
'into the name of Jesus Christ' or
'the Lord Jesus.'" |
| The New
Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of
Religious Knowledge (1957), I, 435 |
"The New Testament
knows only baptism in the name of
Jesus." |
| Canney's
Encyclopedia of Religions (1970),
page 53 |
"Persons were
baptized at first 'in the name of
Jesus Christ' . . . or 'in the name
of the Lord Jesus.'" |
| IS IT AN
ABSOLUTE NECESSITY THAT THE NAME OF
JESUS BE SPOKEN WHEN A CANDIDATE FOR
WATER BAPTISM IS BEING BAPTIZED?
For the answer to this question,
please read Acts 15:17 and James 2:7
[Greek Interlinear]. First Century
Christians INVOKED OR CALLED the
name of Jesus over believers in
water baptism. If, as some say,
"the name of Jesus means the
authority of Jesus", then so much
more should the NAME, rather than
titles, be called over an individual
in baptism. Read Matthew 28:18,
Acts 4:12 and Colossians 2:9. Jude
3 is an exhortation to "CONTEND FOR
THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE
SAINTS." See Galatians 1:8-9 also.
Should anyone dare to change what
CHRIST and the Apostles
established? |
(c) Lewis E. Manuwal all
rights reserved
 |
This Holy
Ghost Experience will change your Life,
it is the answer for YOU.
Acts 1-8
But
ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.
Acts 2-2
And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they were
sitting.
Acts 2-3
And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them.
Acts 2-4
And
they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance
Acts 2-38
Then Peter said unto them,
Repent,
and be
baptized
everyone of you in the
name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2-39
For
the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall
call. |
|
Don't Believe It!
Five misleading teachings about
speaking in tongues |
|
Concerning spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you
ignorant.
1 Corinthians. 12:1 |
|
1
FALSE
Many Pentecostal &
Charismatic Christians believe that
the 120 on the Day of Pentecost
received the gift of tongues.
Therefore, since the gift of tongues
is not mandatory, it is not required
that all speak in tongues when
receiving the Holy Ghost.
TRUE
Tongues is the initial
evidence of the Holy Ghost Baptism,
and all will speak in tongues the
moment they receive this
experience. The purpose of these
tongues is entirely different from
the gift of tongues as the following
scriptures will prove. |
|
THE HOLY GHOST FOR ALL
The Holy Ghost is for all who
obey the plan of God for salvation.
Acts 5:32, Acts 2:38, 39; John 3:5;
For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body. (Church) 1
Cor. 12:13
GIFT OF TONGUES-NOT FOR ALL
The gifts of the Spirit are
divided to every man severally as he
will. 1 Cor. 12:11. This means you
may receive several gifts, but not
necessarily the gift of tongues.
ONE AT A TIME-DIVINE ORDER
The gift of tongues is
scripturally governed. If any man
speak in an unknown tongue, let it
be by two, or the most, by three,
and that by course (one at a time)
and let one interpret. 1 Cor.
14:27.
GOD IS PERFECT
God being perfect, could not give
us an imperfect example at
Pentecost. The 120 received the
Holy Ghost & all spoke in tongues at
the same time as the Spirit gave
them utterance. Acts 2:4. This was
repeated in the tenth chapter of
Acts. While Peter was yet
preaching, a large group of Gentiles
began speaking in tongues. Acts
10:24-27 & 44-48. In Acts 19:1-7,
twelve Ephesians spoke in tongues
when they received the Holy Ghost.
These large groups, speaking in
tongues at the same time, is proof
enough that this speaking in tongues
is different from the gift of
tongues. Remember, the gift of
tongues was to be exercised by one
person at a time. 1 Cor 14:27
A LATTER RAIN
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is
known as the latter rain. Rain does
not fall one drop at a time, but is
poured out on all at the same time.
Acts 2:17. The Bible example is
that we will speak in tongues when
we receive the Holy Ghost. After
receiving the Holy Ghost we are to
covet earnestly the best gifts, one
of which could be the gift of the
tongues. 1 Cor. 12:21. |
|
2.
FALSE
The gift of tongues was given on the
Day of Pentecost to preach the
gospel to men of other nationalities
and tongues.
TRUE
It is true, the 120 spoke in
many languages on the day of
Pentecost. Acts 2:9-11. This was
given as a sign of evidence to all
that something great and
supernatural was taking place. The
truth is when Peter preached on the
Day of Pentecost, he lifted up his
own voice and began to speak. Acts
2:14. Most of the Jews visiting
Jerusalem on this occasion were
bilingual. They spoke the language
of their home province and also
spoke the common language of that
day, which was Greek. When Peter
finished preaching, 3000 understood
and obeyed his command to be
baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ. Acts 2:38-41. The fact
that Peter did not preach in tongues
then or ever, should explode the
false notion that tongues was given
to preach in. |
|
3.
FALSE
Paul forbids the church to speak in
tongues 1 Cor. 14:39
TRUE
Just the opposite is true. 1 Cor.
14:5 Paul said, I would that ye all
spake with tongues. When he said in
1 Cor 14:39, forbid not to speak in
tongues, he wasn't forbidding
tongues. I challenge any to
misinterpret the following
translations:
Revised standard Vers: Do
not forbid speaking in tongues.
Living letters: Never say
it is wrong to speak in tongues.
Phillips Mod. Eng: Not
forbidding to speak in tongues.
Amplified Bible: Do not
hinder speaking in tongues.
What further proof should we need
that speaking in tongues is not
forbidden, but rather encouraged? |
|
4.
FALSE
Paul said, I speak in tongues more
than ye all. 1 Cor. 14:18. This
merely meant that because of His
superior education he had mastered
more foreign languages than others
TRUE
1 Cor. 14:18-19. I thank my
God, I speak with tongues more than
ye all. Yet in the church, I had
rather speak five words with my
understanding. That by my voice I
might teach others also. than ten
thousand words in an unknown
tongue. It certainly makes sense
that if Paul's "tongues" were
languages he had learned, he would
have no problem in understanding
what he was saying. How foolish it
is to fight against this simple and
wonderful Bible truth.
|
|
5.
FALSE
Whether there be tongues, they shall
cease. 1 Cor. 13:8. Many church
leaders interpret this to mean that
once the church is established,
tongues will no longer be needed.
TRUE
Tongues shall cease, only when
prophecy and and knowledge shall
pass away. 1 Cor 13:8. These gifts
are necessary for the edifying of
the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 14:3,
26. These shall pass away only when
that which is perfect is come. 1
Cor 13:10. The only perfect one is
Christ, God manifest in the flesh.
When he comes for his church, the
gifts are no longer needed. If Paul
meant in the 13th chapter tongues
were to cease at that time, why did
he bother to write the next chapter
which deals specifically with the
use of tongues? |
| 1992 Rev. Lewis E.
Manuwal, All rights reserved. |
|
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