p. 379 | BAPTISM | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 14, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 24.

BAPTISM.

1. What ceremony did Christ observe before entering upon His ministry? "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan." Mark 1:9.

2. What reason did Jesus give for desiring baptism? He said to John, "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.

3. What command did Christ give to His ministering disciples? "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 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." Matt. 28:18-20.

4. When multitudes were convicted of sin on the day of Pentecost, what counsel did Peter give them? "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." Acts 2:38.

5. Who, then, are proper subjects of baptism? "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." Verse 41.

6. What was the manner of baptism recognized by the disciples at that time? As Philip preached the Gospel to the Ethiopian officer, while riding in the latter's chariot, "they came unto a certain water." Then, the officer having confessed his faith in Christ, "he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." This was all under the special direction of the Spirit of God. See Acts 8:26-40.

7. What is the signification of baptism? It is a public profession of faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. "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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Col. 2:12, 13.

8. What renewed obligation rests upon the baptized individual? "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 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. . . . Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." See Rom. 6:3-13.

9. What is the only allegiance of truly-baptized individuals? "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. . . . Ye are all one in Christ." Gal. 3:26-28. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:1-3.

10. What other baptism is promised in connection with true repentance and water baptism? The baptism of the Holy Ghost. See Acts 2:38, quoted under question 4.