GP12. Baptizing someone into Christ

Description

WHAT IS THE ONE BAPTISM THAT IS MANDATORY FOR SOMEONE TO BE SAVED?

Water baptism is the most widely practiced in churches through the centuries. This is Biblically correct as an outward confession of the Lord Jesus (Matt 3:13-15) but anyone who undergoes water baptism as a ritual, religious rite or church tradition is still not saved. It does not matter that he is ceremonially declared a Christian by an ordained preacher. For instance, many adults believe they are saved because they were baptized as infants. Only God saves and it is not by works that a person is saved. 

Having said that, there is only one baptism that saves and that is the baptism into Christ (Gal 3:27) and it is the inward faith in our heart that Christ is the risen Lord who has paid the price for our sins, that saves us (Rom 10:9).

Regarding baptism into Christ, the Bible does not provide any Standard Operating Procedure or series of steps and actions that are to be conducted. However, we can facilitate the person's desire to be baptized by keeping in mind and applying what the Word instructs.

WHEN A PERSON WISHES TO BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, HOW ARE WE TO RESPOND?

Contrary to many denominational practices that prohibit a layman from conducting baptism, God has actually commissioned regular Christ-believing folks as His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20), authorized to baptize a person into His Name and on His behalf (Matt 28:19). 

Let's look at some 'instructional' verses from the Bible.

• "And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." Acts 8:34-35
  
  We are to do as Paul's instruction to Timothy and how Philip guided the eunuch - always be ready with the Gospel of Christ (2 Tim 4:2) and boldly deliver it.
  
  
• "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." Acts 8:36-37 (capitals added)
  
  When the eunuch asked, "what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Philip wanted to confirm whether the eunuch understood his explanation regarding Jesus in Isa 53 and whether the eunuch truly believe with ALL his heart. Only then did Philip proceed to baptize the eunuch.
  
  When we look at early videos of Billy Graham, we see an evangelist passionately deliver the Gospel with high energy and great enthusiasm. From their writings, we see that Paul, Peter and the other apostles were similarly anointed. In 1 Cor 2:1-5, Paul reminds us of the workings of the Holy Spirit and this serves as a good reminder that it is not by man's might or power but true conversion can only be by the Spirit (Zec 4:6).
  
  Even though we are doing the work of evangelizing, it is the Holy Spirit that is actually doing the heavy lifting. We are eager and excited during an outreach opportunity to obtain a salvation but pause and take a small step back. Invite the Holy Spirit to do what no man can do and let Him speak into the non-believer's heart and do the convicting work.
  
  Remember that we just need to courier the Good News. What is the courier's greatest responsibiility? The courier is assigned to deliver the complete package, as is, to the intended recipient. The courier is trusted not to alter, add to, take out from, re-wrap or deface the package. Delivering the Gospel is our one clear and simple task.
  
  
• "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Cor 2:1-5
  
  Billy Graham was a fervent and charismatic evangelist. There are many preachers today who have the gift of the gab and they can be eloquent, impressive and persuasive. Man tends to use emotional and environmental stimuli but it can evoke an emotional response in the non-believer leading to a false conversion.
  
  This problem in the modern day church is not going away as long as preachers take centre stage in place of the Holy Spirit and the congregation is drawn to the man and how cool he looks and swallows whatever he presents. How often have we seen the congregation praise the man in the limelight and so-called world class preachers that take star billing on a conference poster.
  
  
• "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:" 1 Cor 15:1-4
  
  Sometimes, we refer to Paul's gospel as the authoritative message of the Good News but Paul is reminding us of the authenticity of his teaching. There are essential elements of Gospel Truth to keep in memory so that we are always Gospel-ready. If you are not able to memorize everything, you can write down key verses and guide notes in your mobile or you are free to use this outreach module from this site as your messaging tool. You can also download an e-copy of this series and distribute online. 
  
  Ultimately, after the Gospel is delivered, much depends not on what we do but what the non-believer's response will be. If he is genuine in his attitude and responds to the Holy Spirit's convicting work, we will soon welcome a new addition to the Kingdom.
  

If you have a genuine love for the Lord and the unsaved, submit yourself to the Lord and He will equip you to be the quiet but effective evangelist in the harvest field (Matt 9:37) while remaining largely anonymous, without fame, fortune or recognition but you will be richly rewarded and highly honored by God at the Bema seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10).

Be blessed as you grow and walk in the Lord.

Version 22.1.0