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Purity&Power!
Lesson #9 Are you tired of hurting your loved ones and wounding your conscience?Do you live in constant regret for your past mistakes? Have you ever wished you could take a bath and come out clean insideandout?Thenwehavegreatnewsforyou...youcan!Godhas aplanthatcantotallywashallyoursinsawayandsuperchargeyour characterpreposterous?Notatall!Christsays,"Weareburiedwith himbybaptism"(Romans6:4). When you accept Christ, the old life diesandtheLordpromisestoforgetalloursins!Notonlythat,Hecan help you overcome every sinful habit in your life. Did you know the crossismentioned28timesintheBible,butbaptismismentioned97 times?Itmustbeprettyimportantthen,andnowonder,becauseitsignifiesanewlifewiththe haunting, sinful past buried and forgotten forever. Read the Bible's amazing facts on this incrediblesubject...you'llneverbethesame!

1.Isbaptismreallyessential? "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believethnotshallbedamned."Mark16:16. Answer: Yes, indeed! How could any language or words makeitplainer?
Thisversemakesitclearthat baptismisnecessaryforsalvation.

2.Butthethiefonthecrosswasnotbaptized,sowhyshouldI be? "For he knoweth our frame he remembereth that we are dust." Psalms103:14. Answer: Neither did he restore what he had stolen, as the Lord Circumstancesmadeita specifically directs in Ezekiel 33:15. God holds us accountable for humanimpossibilityforthe whatwecando,butHealsorecognizesthelimitationsof"dust."He thiefonthecrosstobe will not require a physical impossibility. Could the thief have come baptized. down from the cross, he immediately would have been baptized. ThisistheonlyexampleintheBibleofanexceptiontothisrule.God wantedtomakecertainthatnoonewouldbepresumptuousinrefusingbaptism.

3.Therearemanyordinancescalledbaptism.Isn't anyoneoftheseacceptable,providedapersonis
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anyoneoftheseacceptable,providedapersonis sincereandearnestaboutit? "OneLord,onefaith,onebaptism."Ephesians4:5. Answer: No! There is only one true baptism. All othersocalledbaptismsarecounterfeits. Note:Thedevil's"buffet"planforbaptismsays,"Take yourpick.Themethodofbaptismdoesn'tmatter.Itis thespiritthatcounts."ButtheBiblesays,"OneLord, one faith, one baptism." Ephesians 4:5. It also says, "Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord." Jeremiah38:20.

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4. How was Jesus baptized? "Jesus ... was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened." Mark1:9,10.

Jesuswasbaptizedby immersion.

OnlyONEmethodofbaptismisbiblical,not14.

Answer:Byimmersion!Noticethataftertheordinance,Hecame"upoutofthewater."Jesus was baptized "in Jordan," not on the bank, as many believe. John always found a place to baptize where "there was much water" (John 3:23), so it would be deep enough. The Bible commands us to follow Jesus' example (1 Peter 2:21). Any baptism other than immersion breaksthiscommand.Theword"baptism"comesfromtheGreekword"baptizo."Itmeans"to dip under or submerge or immerse." There are eight different Greek words in the New Testamentusedtodescribetheapplicationofliquids.Butamongthesevariouswordsmeaning to sprinkle, to pour, or to immerseonly the one meaning "to immerse" (baptizo) is used to describebaptism.

5.Butdidn'tthedisciplesortheapostleschangethemethodof baptism? "They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch andhebaptizedhim.Andwhentheywerecomeupoutofthewater, theSpiritoftheLordcaughtawayPhilip."Acts8:38,39. Answer:No!PleasenoticethatPhilip,aleaderintheearlychurch, baptized the treasurer of Ethiopia by immersion precisely as John baptized Jesus. And the apostle Paul warned that any who teach
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contrarytowhatJesustaughtshouldbe"accursed."Galatians 1:8. No personno matter how godlyis authorized to change God's wordsandcommands.

PhilipbaptizedtheEthiopian byimmersion.

6. Since Jesus and the disciples baptized by immersion, whointroducedtheseothersocalledbaptismswhichexist today? "In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandmentsofmen."Matthew15:9. Answer:Misguidedmenintroducedotherformsofbaptismin immersioncomefrompeople directcontradictionofGod'sWord.Jesussays,"Whydoyealso ratherthanScripture. transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" "Thus haveyemadethecommandmentofGodofnoneeffectbyyour tradition."Matthew15:3,6.Worshipthatfollowshumanteachingis"vain."Justthinkofit!The sacredordinanceofbaptismhasbeenchangedandmadeoflittleconsequenceduringtruth's hazardousjourneythroughthecenturies.NowondertheBibleexhortsusto"earnestlycontend forthefaithwhichwasoncedelivereduntothesaints."Jude3.
Allformsofbaptismotherthan

7.Whatmustapersondotoprepareforbaptism? Answer: A. Learn God's requirements. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them ... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoeverIhavecommandedyou."Matthew28:19,20. B. Believe the truth of God's Word. "He that believeth and is baptizedshallbesaved."Mark16:16.

Therearethreesimplethings apersonmustdopriorto baptism.

C. Repent of and turn away from his sins and experience conversion. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38. "Repentyetherefore,andbeconverted,thatyoursinsmaybeblottedout."Acts3:19.

8.Whatisthemeaningofbaptism? "Thereforeweareburiedwithhimbybaptismintodeath:that likeasChristwasraisedupfromthedeadbythegloryofthe Father,evensowealsoshouldwalkinnewnessoflife.Forif we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, weshallbealsointhelikenessofhisresurrection:Knowing
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WhenIambaptized,Iaffirmmybelief inJesus'death,burial,and

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this,thatouroldmaniscrucifiedwithhim,thatthebodyofsin mightbedestroyed,thathenceforthweshouldnotservesin."Romans6:46. Answer:ItrepresentsthebelieverfollowingChristintoHisdeath,burial,andresurrection.The symbolismisperfectandfilledwithdeepmeaning.Inbaptismtheeyesareclosed,handsare folded,andbreathissuspendedasindeath.Thencomesburialinthewaterandresurrection fromthewaterygravetoanewlifeinChrist.Whenraisedfromthewater,theeyesopenandthe candidatebeginsbreathingagainandmingleswithfriends,acompletelikenessofresurrection. The great difference between Christianity and every other religion is simply the death, burial, andresurrectionofChrist.InthesethreeactsismadepossibleallthatGoddesirestodoforus. To keep these three vital acts alive in the minds of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial. There is no symbolism of death, burial, and resurrectioninotherformsofbaptism.OnlyimmersionfulfillsthemeaningofRomans6:46.

resurrection.

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Deathtosin.Oldlifeburiedinthewaters.RaisedanewpersoninChrist.

9.Butapersonshouldn'tbebaptizeduntilheiscertainhewill neverslipandfall,shouldhe? "Iftherebefirstawillingmind,itisacceptedaccordingtothataman hath,andnotaccordingtothathehathnot."2Corinthians8:12. Answer:Thisislikesayingababyshouldnevertrytowalkuntil certain that he will never slip and fall. A Christian is a newborn "babe"inChrist.Thisiswhytheexperienceofconversioniscalled "the new birth." The ugly, sinful past no longer exists for a child of God. A person's sinful past is forgiven and forgotten by God at conversion. And baptism symbolizes the burial of that old life. We begintheChristianlifeasbabies,ratherthanadults,andGodjudges usonourattitudeandthetrendofourlife,ratherthanonafewslips andfallsthatwemayexperienceasimmatureChristians.
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NewChristiansarelike toddlerslearningtowalk.They sometimesslipandfall.

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10.Whyisbaptismanurgentmatterforaconvertedsinner? "Andnowwhytarriestthou?arise,andbebaptized,andwashaway thysins,callingonthenameoftheLord."Acts22:16. Answer: Baptism is a public testimony that the repentant sinner hasbeenforgivenandcleansedbyJesus(1John1:9)andthathis sinful, traitorous past is behind him. No incriminating evidence againstapersonexistsafterconversion.

Baptismisagloriousevent becauseitsymbolizesthe burialoftheoldlifeofsinand thebeginningofanewlifein Christ.

Men and women today stagger and struggle along under heavy loads of guilt and sin. This contamination and burden is so devastatingtothehumanpersonalitythatpeoplewillgotoalmostanylengthtoachieveasense offorgivenessandcleansing.Manyhavebeendriventothepsychiatrist'scouch,wherehuman beingsearnestlyattempttoassistotherhumanbeings.Buttherealhelpisfoundincomingto Christ,whosaystoallwhoapproachHim,"Iwillbethouclean."Matthew8:3.NotonlydoesHe cleanse, but He crucifies the old nature of sin within you. Burial in the water of baptism symbolizes the burial of the ugly corpse of the old sinful life. The ordinance is of utmost importance because it publicly represents the most stupendous provisions ever made for people.

11.Howlongdoesittaketoprepareforbaptism? Answer:Thatdependsontheperson.Somegraspthingsmore quicklythanothers.Butinmostcases,preparationcanbemade inshortorder.HerearesomeBibleexamples: A. Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:2639)baptized same day he heardtruth. B. Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:2334)baptized samenighttheyheardtruth. C.SaulofTarsus(Acts9:118)baptizedthreedaysafterJesus spoketohimontheroadtoDamascus. D.Cornelius(Acts10:148)baptizedsamedayheheardtruth.
PhilipbaptizedtheEthiopian treasurerthesamedayhe acceptedChristashisSaviour.

Atconversion,God: 1.Forgivesandforgetsourpast.

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1.Forgivesandforgetsourpast.

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2.Miraculouslytransformsusintonewspiritualbeings. 3.AdoptsusasHisownsonsanddaughters. Certainlynotrulyconvertedpersonwouldwanttodelaybaptism,whichpubliclypaystributeto Jesusforworkingallthesemiracles.

12. How does God feel about the baptism of a converted person? Answer: He said at His Son's baptism, "This is My beloved Son,inwhomIamwellpleased."Matthew3:17.So,today,Godis wellpleasedwhenapersonisbaptizedbyimmersioninharmony withHiscommand.ThosewholovetheLordwillalwaysstriveto pleaseHim(1John3:22 1 Thessalonians 4:1). Is God pleased withyourbaptism?

Godispleasedwithpeoplewho arebaptizedbyimmersion.IsHe pleasedwithyourbaptism?

13.Canapersonexperiencetruebaptismwithoutbecominga memberofGod'schurch? Answer:No!Godclearlyoutlinesthis.Noticethesteps:

A. All are called into one body. "Ye are called in one body." Colossians3:15. B. The church is the body. "He is the head of the body, the church."Colossians1:18. C. We enter that body by baptism. "For by one Spirit are we all baptizedintoonebody."1Corinthians12:13. D. God's converted people are added to the church. "The Lord addedtothechurchdailysuchasshouldbesaved."Acts2:47.

Baptismistheofficialentry intoGod'schurch.Being baptizedwithoutjoiningGod's churchisunbiblical.

14. Notice four things that baptism does not do: Answer:
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First

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First expressionofyourdesiretofollowGodfully. Baptism itself does not changetheheartofman itisasymbolofthechangethathastakenplace.Amanmightbebaptizedwithoutfaith,without repentance,andwithoutanewheart.HemightevenbeimmersedaftertheexampleofJesus, but he would simply come up a wet sinner instead of a dry one, still without faith, without repentance,withoutanewheart.Baptismcannotmakeanewperson.Neithercanitchangeor regenerate anyone. It is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart in conversion.OnemustbebornoftheSpiritaswellasbornofwater.
IfJesusisspeakingtoyouaboutbaptism,donotputitoff.Baptismisapublic

Second Baptism does not necessarily make a person feel better. It doesn't necessarily change his feelings. Some people are disappointed because they do not feel different after baptism. Salvationisamatternotoffeeling,butoffaithandobedience. Third Baptism does not remove temptations. The devil is not through with a person when he is baptized. But Jesus is the helper of every believer. He says, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5. No temptation will come without a way of escape. This is the promiseofScripture(1Corinthians10:13). Fourth Baptismdoesnotguaranteesalvation.Itisnotamagicalrite.Salvationcomesonlyasafreegift fromJesusChristwhenoneexperiencesthenewbirth.Baptismisasymboloftrueconversion, andunlessconversionprecedesbaptism,theceremonyismeaningless.

15.Jesusasksyoutobebaptizedbyimmersionasasymbolthatyoursinshavebeen washedaway.Wouldyouliketoplanforthissacredordinancesoon? Answer:

ThoughtQuestions
1.Isiteverpropertobebaptizedmorethanonce? Yes,Acts19:15showsthattheBibleendorsesrebaptismincertaincases. 2.Shouldinfantsbebaptized? No!Nooneshouldbebaptizedunlesshe(1)knowsthetruthofGod,(2)believesit,(3)has repented, and (4) has experienced conversion. No baby could possibly qualify here. No one hasarighttobaptizeababy.Infact,todosocompletelydisregardsGod'sdirectcommands regardingbaptism.Misguidedmeninthechurchyearsagodecreedthatunbaptizedbabiesare lost, but this is scripturally untrue. It defames God as an unjust tyrant who would destroy innocent infants who died, simply because unworthy parents failed to have baptism administered.Suchateachingistragicbeyondwords.Itisbadenoughtosprinklebabiesand

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administered.Suchateachingistragicbeyondwords.Itisbadenoughtosprinklebabiesand call it baptism. It is infinitely worse to hold to the unscriptural concept that babies are lost eternallybecausecarelessparentsfailedtodotheirduty. 3.Isn'tbaptismjustamatterofpersonalopinion? Yes, but not your opinion or mine. It's Christ's opinion that matters. Christ says baptism is important to Him. "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdomofGod."John3:5.TorefusebaptismistorefusethedirectcounselofGod(Luke7:29, 30). 4.Howoldshouldonebetoqualifyforbaptism? Oldenoughtounderstandthedifferencebetweenwrongdoingandrightdoing,andtomakean intelligentdecisiontosurrendertoChristandfollowHim.Manychildrenarereadyforbaptismat 9 or 10 years of age, some at 7 or 8. And some are not ready at 12 or 13. No age level is specifiedintheBible,becausechildrenhavedifferentlevelsofexperienceandunderstanding. Somearereadyforbaptismearlierthanothers. 5.Canbaptisminandofitselfsaveyou? No!Butrefusingbaptismcancauseonetobelost,becauseitmeansdisobedience.Salvationis for"allthemthatobeyHim."Hebrews5:9. 6.Isn'tbaptismoftheHolySpiritallthatisnecessary? No!TheBibleshowsinActs10:4448thatwaterbaptismisnecessary,evenwhenthebaptism oftheHolySpirithasprecededit. 7.Shouldn'twebebaptizedinJesus'nameonly? InMatthew28:19,wearetoldtobebaptizedinthenameoftheFather,theSon,andtheHoly Ghost.TheseareJesus'words,andweconsiderthemverysacred.InthebookofActs,we findthenewbelieverswerebaptizedinthenameofJesus.IdentifyingJesusastheChristand Messiah was present truth for the people of that day therefore, it was crucial for them to be baptized in His name. We believe it is very important for today as well. Combining the testimoniesofMatthewwiththebookofActs,webaptizepeopleinthenameoftheFather,and the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Following this method prevents exalting one Scriptureaboveanother. 8.ThereisonesinIdonotwishtosurrender.ShouldIbebaptized? No!Obviouslyyouarenotreadytobeburiedinthebaptismalwaters,becausetheoldlifeofsin isnotdead.Itwouldbeacriminalactforafuneraldirectortoburysomeonewhoisnotdeadand equallyseriousforaministertobaptizeonewhoseoldsinfullifeisnotdead. 9.CanyouexplainGalatians3:27? Here God compares baptism to marriage. The person who is baptized thus publicly acknowledgesthathehastakenChrist'sname(Christian),justasabridepubliclyannounces the taking of her husband's name at the time of the wedding. In baptism, as with marriage, severalrulesalwaysapply: A.Itshouldneverbeenteredintounlesstrueloverulessupreme. B. It should never be entered into unless the candidate has determined to be faithful through

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B. It should never be entered into unless the candidate has determined to be faithful through thickandthin. C.Itshouldbeapproachedwithfullunderstanding. D.Itshouldnotbeundulydelayed.

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QuizQuestions
1.TheBibletellsusthereisoneLord,onefaith,and(1) _____15baptisms. _____5baptisms. _____12baptisms. _____Onebaptism. 2.DidJesusteachthenecessityofbaptism?(1) _____Yes. _____No. 3.Jesuswasbaptizedby(1) _____Pouring. _____Sprinkling. _____Immersion. 4.Theword"baptize"meansto(1) _____Behappy. _____Sprinkle. _____Pour. _____Dipunder,orimmerse. 5.Themanycounterfeitbaptismsoftodayweregiventousby(1) _____Christ. _____Theapostles. _____Misguidedmen. 6.Markthethingsapersonshoulddotoprepareforbaptism:(4) _____ReadtheBiblethroughfivetimes. _____Believethetruth. _____Experienceconversion. _____Prayfor10daysstraight. _____Spend40daysfasting. _____LearnGod'srequirements. _____Repentofandforsakesin. 7.Baptismisasymbolof(1) _____Thecreationoftheworld. _____TheBible.

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_____TheBible. _____Heaven. _____Christ'sdeath,burial,&resurrection. _____Theangels. 8.AnewlybaptizedChristianisa(1) _____Spiritualbaby. _____Spiritualadult.

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9.Baptism,whenenteredintowithprayer,sincerity,andunderstanding(1) _____Publiclyacknowledgesconversion. _____Meansnomorethangoingswimming. _____Assuresapersonhewillneverbetemptedagain. 10.Isinfantbaptismscriptural?(1) _____Yes. _____No. 11.Somechildrenarereadyforbaptismearlierthanothers.(1) _____True. _____False. 12. Is it always necessary for a person to take many weeks or months to prepare for baptism?(1) _____Yes. _____No. 13.Canapersonexperiencetruebaptismwithoutbecomingamemberofthechurch?(1) _____Yes. _____No.

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