Baptism Index

In this document, I hope that all things concerning baptism will be set in order.  Namely, the method of baptism (whether we are to be dunked, sprinkled, or something else; whether or not we are to be baptized as adults or infants), the name in which we are to be baptized (be it "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost," or "Jesus Christ"), the reason we are to be baptized (whether it is an "outward sign of an inward change" or for the purposes of "identification with...," or "for the forgiveness of sins"), and whether or not it is required for salvation itself (either it is, or it isn't).  All of these topics will be discussed.

Background: Before we begin: it is understood that the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as given among men, is "Jesus Christ." There are other Bible studies in this series which specifically address this topic.

• 1.0 Our example: The baptism of Jesus Christ
  • 1.1 Observations about the baptism of Jesus Christ
    • 1.1.1 Heavens opened to Him when baptized
    • 1.1.2 Jesus Christ never spoke in Tongues

• 2.0 Definition of the original Greek words

• 3.0 We must be born again
  • 3.1 Doctrinal mistakes about John 3:3-8
    • 3.1.1 That the "water" of John 3:5 is not "the water of childbirth"
      • 3.1.1.1 Analysis of the error
      • 3.1.1.2 Response
    • 3.1.2 That the "water" of John 3:5 does not mean "spirit"
      • 3.1.2.1 Analysis of the error
      • 3.1.2.2 Response

• 4.0 Christ baptized others (more people than John the Baptist)
  • 4.1 Marching orders for His Apostles

• 5.0 What the Apostles taught
  • 5.1 Observations about Acts 2:38
    • 5.1.1 Acts 2:38 dealt with people becoming saved
    • 5.1.2 Peter too, was filled with the Holy Ghost
    • 5.1.3a They were never told to believe
    • 5.1.3b "Repent" is an action
    • 5.1.3c "Baptism" is an action
    • 5.1.4 Baptism is done in the name of "Jesus Christ"
    • 5.1.5 Baptism is for the remission of sins
    • 5.1.6 "Repentence" and "Remission of sins" was preached
    • 5.1.7 Baptism is not for "public testimony"
    • 5.1.8 Baptism is part of faith
    • 5.1.9 They didn't speak in "tongues"

• 6.0 Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ
  • 6.1 Searching for the phrase "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"

• 7.0 Precedence

• 8.0 The Gospel is preached
  • 8.1 To the Jews first
    • 8.1.1 Who is a Jew (in this application)?

• 9.0 The Samaritans
  • 9.1 Origins of the Samaritans
  • 9.2 The Gospel is preached to the Samaritans
  • 9.3 Observations concerning the conversion of the Samaritans
    • 9.3.1 Water baptism is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ
    • 9.3.2 The Samaritans were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

• 10.0 The Ethiopian eunuch
  • 10.1 Observations concerning the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch
    • 10.1.1 Precedent with the Ethiopians
    • 10.1.2 Water baptism part of the Gospel of Christ
    • 10.1.3 Belief is a prerequisite for baptism
    • 10.1.4 Baptism not an "outward sign of an inward change"
    • 10.1.5 The eunuch never spoke in tongues
    • 10.1.6 The eunuch was immersed, not sprinkled
    • 10.1.7 The desert is no excuse (God will make a way)

• 11.0 Saul of Tarsus (later called the apostle Paul)
  • 11.1 The apostle Paul was baptized
  • 11.2 Observations on the baptism of Paul (as told at Acts 9)
    • 11.2.1 Paul baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
    • 11.2.2 That Paul believed is not specifically stated
    • 11.2.3 Paul did not speak in tongues
  • 11.3 The baptism of Paul (as retold at Acts 22)
  • 11.4 Observations on the baptism of Paul (as retold at Acts 22)
    • 11.4.1 Baptism is to be done in the name of Jesus Christ
    • 11.4.2 Baptism is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins

• 12.0 The (uncircumcised) Gentiles hear the Gospel of Christ
  • 12.1 Observations concerning the conversion of (uncircumcised) Gentiles
    • 12.1.1 Belief and baptism are required
    • 12.1.2 Baptism to be done "in the name of Jesus Christ"
    • 12.1.3 Baptism is a commandment that must be obeyed
    • 12.1.4 Baptism is not for purpose of "identification" or public display
  • 12.2 Finally, the rest of the earth!

• 13.0 Tongues: A sign for the non-believer
  • 13.1 The teachings of the scriptures
  • 13.2 Example: The Day of Pentecost
  • 13.3 Application: Salvation for the uncircumcised
    • 13.3.1 The rest of the church had to be told
    • 13.3.2 A possible contention for this century
  • 13.4 Ramifications: the Counsel of Jerusalem

• 14.0 Review of the precedents

• 15.0 Elsewhere: Thyatira
  • 15.1 Other observations on the baptism of the jailor
    • 15.1.1 Baptism was was taught (as part of the word of the Lord)
    • 15.1.2 They were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
    • 15.1.3 Jailors faith not specifically mentioned by the scriptures

• 16.0 Elsewhere: Ephesus
  • 16.1 Observations concerning these incidents of John's disciples
    • 16.1.1 Baptism of Christ deduced from Acts 18:24-28
    • 16.1.2 Name of Jesus Christ deduced from Acts 19:1-6
    • 16.1.3 It was understood that they were baptized in water
    • 16.1.4 Water baptism was in the name of "Jesus Christ"

• 17.0 Comments in the Epistles concerning water baptism

• 18.0 The Romans

• 19.0 The Colossians
  • 19.1 Comparison between Romans 6:3-6 and Colossians 2:11-13
  • 19.2 Observations on circumcision from the Old Testament
    • 19.2.1 Circumcision was for men and boys only
    • 19.2.2 Circumcision took place on the 8th day of life
    • 19.2.3 There is another kind of circumcision as well
  • 19.3 The circumcision of Christ

• 20.0 The Galatians
  • 20.1 The purpose of the Law of Moses
  • 20.2 The Law of Moses justifies nobody

• 21.0 Subsequent teachings of the apostle Peter
  • 21.1 What kind of baptism was Peter talking about? Water, or Spirit?
  • 21.2 How were we saved, according to 1 Peter?
  • 21.3 John 3:5 revisited
  • 21.4 The Great Flood
    • 21.4.1 Why would Peter say something like this?
      • 21.4.1.1 The natural case
      • 21.4.1.2 The allegoric case
        • 21.4.1.2.1 Israel's oppressors
        • 21.4.1.2.2 Noah's oppressors
  • 21.5 Doctrinal mistakes about 1 Peter 3:20-21
    • 21.5.1 That 1 Peter 3:20-21 refers to baptism in the Spirit
      • 21.5.1.1 Analysis of the error
      • 21.5.1.2 Response

• 22.0 The Corinthians
  • 22.1 The state of the Corinthians
  • 22.2 Doctrinal mistakes about 1 Corinthians 1:14,17
  • 22.3 Doctrinal mistakes about 1 Corinthians 12:13

• 23.0 Doctrinal mistakes about the book of Ephesians
  • 23.1 The accusation of "legalism"
  • 23.2 Born...of the Spirit  (John 3:5 again)

• 24.0 Doctrinal mistakes about the thief on the cross
  • 24.1 Response

• 25.0 (Valid) water baptism is performed one time only
  • 25.1 Hebrews 6:4-6
    • 25.1.1 Crucifixion afresh
    • 25.1.2 Renewal unto repentence
  • 25.2 Correction to previous erroneous baptisms