Baptism

What do we mean by Baptism?

Matthew says that Jesus was baptized in Jordan, and afterwards he “went up straightway out of the water”?

The Greeks used the word “baptize” when they were dying cloth. The cloth was “baptized” or immersed completely in the water. No part of the cloth could be left out of the liquid, or the dying would be patchy. In the same way, when the Bible speaks of baptism, it means complete immersion in water. There is a beautiful meaning to this act of being buried in the water and then rising again, as we shall see later.

Turning point in our life.

When we do feel secure in our choice of how to deal with the Lord, Jesus and how we want to relate to Jehovah our God, then it can become important to make the right signal to others in this world.

When we prefer to serve God instead of just following this world we should follow the example of Jesus and give our life to God.

Jesus went into the Jordan to become baptized by John the Baptist. And Jesus his disciples became baptized because Jesus ordered them do to that. By way of the baptism you can show your believe in Christ and in what he thought.

Baptism is first mentioned in Scripture in relation to John the Baptist’s ministry (Mt. 3:5,6,11)[1].

His baptism was one of repentance (this means a change of heart, leading to a changed way

of life). It anticipated the baptism of the Lord Jesus and was intended to prepare the Jewish

people to believe in Christ (Acts 19:4,5)[2]. Israel had already been nationally baptized into

Moses when they crossed the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:2)[3], but now Christ commissioned the apostles to baptize individual believers of the gospel, both Jew and Gentile, into his name (Mt.28:19,20; Mk. 16:16)[4]. Baptism into Christ identifies believers with the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, which, having been accomplished, render this baptism of more significance than either Moses’ or John’s baptisms, which it replaced

By going under the water it is like we are buried with Jesus by baptism into his death. So that, just as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, so also, we should walk in a newness of life. For if we were planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we are aware that our old human nature was impaled together with Christ so that this sinful body may be inactive. We no longer continue as a slave to the sin. Therefore we have to repent first and let each of us be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, and then we will receive the gift of the holy Pneuma, and the Force of god shall come over us.(Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 2:37, 38)[5]. Many advantages shall come onto us when we take on a new personality.

By going into the water we are stripped off our old person we were with all of its bad habits. The baptism washes us white and we can come out of the water as renewed. We have put on the New Person, and from there onwards can continue to be renewed in complete knowledge in harmony with the image of the One who created this New Person. Regarding this New Person –it is not non-Jew or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, foreigner, uncivilized, slave, freeman–it is everything that is in Christ. As the Elect of God–holy and beloved-clothe yourselves with empathy and compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, tolerance. From then onwards we certainly are going to take care that we stay patient and tolerant of one another even if someone has a complaint against another. Forgive one another, just as the Sovereign Lord graciously forgave all of us, we must also be forgiving. And above everything else show compassionate affection, for this results in perfect unity.” (Col 3:9-14)[6]

The need for correct belief

Jesus said in Mark 16:16: “He that believeth [the gospel] and is baptized shall be saved; but

he that believeth not shall be damned [condemned]”[7]. Belief of the one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:7-9,26-29)[8] and baptism are both necessary. The Acts of the Apostles gives us several impressive examples of correct belief preceding baptism:

• Acts 2:14-41 - Jerusalem Jews on the day of Pentecost [9]

• Acts 8:12 - The Samaritans [10]

• Acts 8:27-39 - The Ethiopian Eunuch [11] Here the Eunuch travelling in the desert had probably enough water reserve with him, but it was only when they past enough water that he asked to go in the water to get baptised.

• Acts 10:1,2,34-48 - Cornelius and his companions [12]

• Acts 16:14-34 - Lydia and the Philippian jailor and his family [13]

• Acts 19:1-5 - The Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist [14]

Christening, infant baptism and the Baptists

The Greek words for baptize and baptism mean being fully immersed. There is no suggestion

in Scripture of baptism being a sprinkling with water. There are several passages that

describe or imply bodily immersion; for instance, Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38. [15]

Infant baptism was first heard of in the days of Tertullian (A.D. 200), who vigorously

opposed the practice. The rite of infant sprinkling dates back to pagan Roman customs, when

babies were sprinkled with holy water and named. Like many other pagan ideas, this rite of

infant baptism was gradually superimposed on Christian teaching (2 Tim. 4:3,4)[16]. Infant

baptism belongs to the apostate church.

When the sect called the Baptists came into existence in the seventeenth century they

believed the promises made to David, and looked forward to God’s Kingdom on earth,

immersing only adult believers. Today, many Baptist and other churches believe in such doctrines as heaven-going, the Trinity and a supernatural devil, having abandoned their earlier Scriptural beliefs, and some do not even insist on total immersion, but sprinkle with water, some churches do this with babies.

At what age should baptism take place?

All the Scriptural examples are of persons capable of believing the gospel, defined as “the

things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ” (Mk. 16:16; Acts 8:12).

Passages such as Colossians 3 set out the responsibility to lead godly, obedient lives which

falls upon those who have “risen with Christ” (v. 1)[17]. The age a person is baptized will depend therefore on his or her maturity and understanding. All baptisms, of young or old, will be preceded by repentance (Mt. 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9)[18]. Some crisis of the mind will trigger the realisation that we must be baptized, as this is the will of God, and that only in Christ can we be saved (Acts 4:12)[19]. All manner of circumstances, people or events can lead to this crisis of mind. If we have not already been baptized, may we respond to the call of Peter, as 3,000 did on the day of Pentecost, to “Save [ourselves] from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40)[20].

The symbolic meaning of baptism

Baptism is a symbol of sacrifice and of resurrection. Sacrifice always involves death. Baptism

into Christ links us with his death, which destroyed “the body of sin” (Rom. 6:3,6)[21]. Baptism

signifies death to the former way of life, enslaved to sin, and the commencement of a new life

enslaved to Christ (vv. 4-13)[22]. Baptism also identifies us with Christ’s death and resurrection

(v. 5), that we might one day inherit eternal life in the Kingdom (v. 23; Isa. 26:19)[23].

The Lord Jesus was crucified. His dead body was laid in a tomb. Three days later, God brought him to life again.

As the body of Jesus was buried in the tomb, so in baptism our body is buried in water. We are “buried with him”. In this way, we confess that we are worthy to die because of our sins. Being buried in water is, in a figure, dying with Christ. And as he came out of the grave, so we come out of the water. This is a new birth, and a new life begins.

Baptism changes our position before God

When, after a good confession of the one faith (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10; Eph. 4:5)[24], a true baptism takes place, Scripture teaches that our past sins are forgiven us, for Christ’s sake (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; Col. 2:11,12)[25]. We become “a new creature”, as Paul teaches (2 Cor.5:17)[26]. We become the children of God, and heirs of the life-saving promises made to Abraham (Gal. 3:26-29)[27]. We have access to God through Christ in prayer, being no longer “children of wrath” and alienated from God (Eph. 2:1-3,12,13)[28].

Essential for salvation.

“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” (1 Pet. 3:21).

In the passage quoted above, the saving of Noah in the Ark of refuge which he built is likened to baptism. The water saved Noah and his family because it lifted them above the destruction that swept away the ungodly world in which he lived. The waters of baptism can save us from the judgements that Christ will shortly bring upon all the wickedness of the age we live in (1 Pet. 3:20; Mt. 24:37)[29].

As in the days of Noah the water has to come over us to receive the grace brought to us by Jesus on the stake. You have to give a sign to the rest of the world and let them know you choose to follow Jesus and to follow God and His commandements.

Repentance comes before baptism

When a person hears the Gospel and understands it, it changes their thinking. They begin to turn from their own way to God’s way, they see a need for a fresh start in life. Baptism is the way God has chosen for us to make a new start. When we turn to Him and obey His commandment to be baptized, our sins are forgiven and we are able to start a new life.

“Repent and be baptized”

As we have already seen, this was the message of John the Baptist. The Gospel calls men to change their thoughts and their ways, and to turn back to God. This is what the Bible means by “repentance”.

Peter gave the same message to the Jews on the day of Pentecost. They had gone the wrong way; they had not recognised that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, whom He had sent to them. They had been responsible for his death. When they realised what they had done, they said to the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

You can read the answer of Peter in Acts 2:38[30]

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

The baptism of the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul is a good example of the way in which repentance leads to baptism. Paul had been going the wrong way. He had been persecuting the followers of Jesus; he did not believe that Jesus was really the Son of God. As he was travelling to Damascus to persecute the Christians there, the Lord appeared to him and spoke to him. When Paul saw Jesus, he had to think again. He realised at last who Jesus really was.

When he saw how wrong he had been, he was ready to give the rest of his life to following Jesus. Jesus sent a disciple named Ananias to him, and Ananias helped him to regain his sight, and told him to be baptized (see Acts 9: 17-18). So when Paul believed the truth about Jesus, he was sorry for his past ways, and started a new life by being baptized.

There are many accounts in the Acts of the Apostles of men who believed, turned to God’s way and were baptized. (see above)

The story of the Roman centurion

Acts 10 tells us about Cornelius the centurion. He was a “devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway”. You might think there was nothing more he could do. But there was something else to be done. God sent an angel to Cornelius, and the angel told him to send for the apostle Peter. The angel said, “He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do”.

Now Peter, being a Jew, would never have gone into the house of a Gentile. But God had spoken to him in a vision, and told him to go with the men sent by Cornelius. Up to this time, only Jews had been called by the gospel.

When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he found the centurion waiting for him with his family and friends. He welcomed Peter, and told him about the angel who had visited him. “Now therefore,” he said, “are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (verse 33). Peter told the people there about Jesus; his life and death and resurrection. Before he had finished speaking, the special gift of the Holy Spirit which had been given to Jewish converts fell on those who were listening. This was very unusual. Normally the Holy Spirit was only given to baptized believers. No one could doubt then that God had accepted them. So the necessary step was taken. Peter said:

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (verses 47ñ48)

The lesson is plain - even good living, God-fearing men and women can only become a member of Christ’s church by being baptized.

The message is: - people must first hear the gospel message;

- they must believe it with all their heart;

- they must repent of their past sins;

- they must turn from their own way to Godís way;

- they must then be baptized;

- then they begin a new life in Christ.

When we understand that the Lord suffered and died for our sake, we shall say as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost, “What shall we do?” The answer is the same today: “Repent, and be baptized”.

Being born again

A Jew named Nicodemus once came to Jesus at night to ask him about his teaching (John 3). Jesus said to him, “Ye must be born again”. Nicodemus thought that was impossible - and, of course, it is if you take the words of Jesus without understanding his meaning. But Jesus was speaking about the new birth that takes place at baptism. He said to Nicodemus:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5)[31]

Remember the words we started with - “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” All men and women are sinners, and sin brings death. Death is an end of life, and there is nothing to look forward to. There is no hope - unless we are born again by being baptized.

The new life

Deciding to be baptized is the most important decision any person can ever make. It is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Before baptism we must understand and believe the true teaching of the Bible.

After baptism we have to fight against our desire to sin, and try to obey God’s commandments and serve Him.

We can only do this if we read His Word. We will have to stop doing things which we know will displease God. This will mean spending less time with people who have no concern for God, even though they may once have been friends, because they may lead us away from God. It will be a daily struggle, but it will bring rich rewards. Jesus once said:

“Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29)[32]

[1] “5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mt 3:5-6 AV)

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:” (Mt 3:11 AV)

[2] “4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Ac 19:4-5 AV)

[3] “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” (1Co 10:2 AV)

[4] “19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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.” (Mt 28:19-20 AV)

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mr 16:16 AV)

[5] “3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Ro 6:3-6 AV)

“37 ¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 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.” (Ac 2:37-38 AV)

[6] “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all. 12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Col 3:9-14 AV)

[7] “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mr 16:16 AV)

[8] “6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Ga 1:6-9 AV)

“7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Ga 3:7-9 AV)

“26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Ga 3:26-29 AV)

[9] “14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. 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. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Ac 2:14-41 AV)

[10] “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.” (Ac 8:12 AV)

[11] “27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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? 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. 38 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. 39 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.” (Ac 8:27-39 AV)

[12] “1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” (Ac 10:1-2 AV)

“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Ac 10:34-48 AV)

[13] “14 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. 15 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. 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Ac 16:14-34 AV)

[14] “1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Ac 19:1-5 AV)

[15] “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:” (Mt 3:16 AV)

“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” (Joh 3:23 AV)

“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.” (Ac 8:38 AV)

[16] “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti 4:3-4 AV)

[17] “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1 AV)

[18] “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:17 AV)

“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.” (Ac 2:38 AV)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Ac 3:19 AV)

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Ac 17:30 AV)

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Pe 3:9 AV)

[19] “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Ac 4:12 AV)

[20] “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Ac 2:40 AV)

[21] “3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Ro 6:3-6 AV)

[22] “4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth to God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts of it. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God:” (Ro 6:4-13 Webster)

[23] “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ro 6:23 Webster)

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” (Isa 26:19 Webster)

[24] “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Ac 8:37 Webster)

“For with the heart man believeth to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Ro 10:10 Webster)

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” (Eph 4:5 Webster)

[25] “Then Peter said to 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 Spirit.” (Ac 2:38 Webster)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord,” (Ac 3:19 Webster)

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ac 22:16 Webster)

“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.” (1Co 6:11 Webster)

“11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, in which also ye are raised with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Col 2:11-12 Webster)

[26] “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2Co 5:17 Webster)

[27] “26 For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Ga 3:26-29 Webster)

[28] “1 And you hath he revived, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 In which 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: 3 Among whom also we all had our manner of life 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.” (Eph 2:1-3 Webster)

“12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who formerly were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:12-13 Webster)

[29] “Who formerly were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.” (1Pe 3:20 Webster)

“But as the days of Noah were, so will also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mt 24:37 Webster)

[30] “Peter said to them, "Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Ac 2:38 HNV)

[31] “Yeshua answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into the Kingdom of God!” (Joh 3:5 HNV)

[32] “Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19:29 HNV)