Baptism

The Jews practiced baptisms: washings (Mark 7:4) or purifications (John 3:26)

         1.      The washing of a person to restore ritual cleanness

         2.      The washing of eating utensils for ritual cleanness

         3.      The induction of a Gentile into Judaism

The baptism of John

         1.      For repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3)

         2.      Performed in water (John 3:23)

         3.      Also performed by Jesus’ disciples (John 3:22, John 4:1-2)

Figures of Speech

         1.      Unless otherwise given in the context, baptism implies water

         2.      Jesus was to baptize in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:5-9, John 1:25-33, Acts 1:5)

         3.      Severe trial (Mark 10:38-39, Luke 12:50)

         4.      Dedication (1 Corinthians 10:2)

After Pentecost, the apostles baptized in water, not the Holy Spirit

         1.      Acts 8:14-16

         2.      Acts 8:36-38

         2.      Acts 10:44:48, 11:16

Symbolism of Christian baptism

         1.      Connected with repentance (Acts 2:38)

         2.      Washing away sins (Acts 22:16)

         3.      Connected with the authority of Jesus (Matthew 28:19, Acts 19:3-5, Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17)

         4.      Symbol of death, burial, resurrection, and a new life (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12)

         5.      Rescued from an evil world (1 Peter 3:21)

         6.      Ceremony of unity with other Christians (1 Corinthians 12:13)

         7.      Symbol of being immersed in Jesus (Galatians 3:27)

Three odd teachings

         1.      Ephesians 4:5 “One baptism”  –  Holy Spirit?  Water?

         2.      Hebrew 6:2  –  Baptism is a doctrine of the immature?

         3.      1 Corinthians 15:29 “For the dead”  –  Surrogate baptism?