FAITHFUL part 5

CHARACTER: Family
November 30, 2008

Yesterday, we celebrated the dedication of Natalie Faith Hunley and Mona Spencer's baptism. We also worshipped and took communion together as a family. Here is a page from our handbook on baptism...


BAPTISM
The wedding of salvation.

As with all of the values of worship within the ORCHARD, we look to the Bible for our answers in this matter. The Scriptures teach that God created man for the purpose of relationship. We, also, know that sin separates us from that relationship. We feel that baptism plays a pivotal role in the restoration of that relationship to our Heavenly Father. In Luke 15, we see the parable of the lost sheep. We see the happiness and joy of even the angles when one of God’s sheep comes home. This parable gives us insight into how God sees the importance of our restored relationship with Him. Baptism is the step of obedience that cleanses us and brings us new life in Him. After we believe what He’s done to show His love for us, repent of how we’ve wronged our love, and openly confess that He is our bridegroom, our relationship with God is restored. It is restored at our wedding with Christ (baptism) that results in our forgiveness (see Ephesians 5:25-27 for wedding illustration).

PURPOSE OF BAPTISM
• The forgiveness of sin – Acts 2:38
• Washing away of sin – Acts 22:16
• New birth/new life – John 3:5, Romans 6:3-6, Colossians 2:12
• Clothed with Christ – Galatians 2:26-27
• Saved (salvation) –Acts 2:40-41, 1Peter 3:21
• Appeal to God – 1Peter 3:21

METHOD OF BAPTISM
• The Biblical method was to submerge or immerse completely in water (Jesus’ own example – Matthew 3:13-16, Ethiopian – Acts 8, Death, burial and resurrection – Romans 6).
• The Greek word means to dip, immerse, wash, plunge, sink, drench and overwhelm (Greek-English Lexicon by Bauer, Arndt & Gingrich).
• The early church leaders immersed after a confession of faith. This was the teaching of Justin Martyr (AD 110-165), Tertullian (AD 145-220), Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 315-386), and Gregory of Dyssa (AD 334-394).
• Jesus tells us “not to forbid the little children to come to him.” Christening is accepted as a dedication of children to God and the church (see Samuel), but is not associated with the forgiveness of sin. Christening is an intention of the parents. Water baptism is a way of completing or fulfilling the intention of the parents. In Matthew 19, Jesus placed His hands on them and blessed them.
• Actual infant baptism is not seen in the Bible, but was brought into church tradition years later. We feel that an individual must understand how they have broken their relationship in order to submit to baptism.
• Baptism was the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
• Must be done in His name and no other (Acts 19).