HAVE YOU BEEN SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED?

     Thank you and once again a most pleasant good morning to each
of our listeners. How good it is to have you in our audience. It is
my constant hope and prayer that each one who tunes us in each
Sunday is taking the time to examine what is being said. The things
which are being discussed are extremely important. We are not
dealing with the daily weather report, with politics, or what is
going on around town. We are dealing with matters that will
determine the eternal destiny of souls. It matters not what one
believes about the weather, or politics, or the thousand and one
things that we become so concerned about. But, it does matter what
one believes about the Bible, the Word of God and how it must guide
us in matters of religion. Because one day we shall stand before the
august presence of an almighty God and be judged according to what
we have done while here in the flesh. The standard of that judgment
will be the revealed truth of God's Word, the Bible. Jesus states,
"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that
judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the
last day" (John 12:48). Now to our subject for the morning:
     I want to ask each listener a very pointed question, yet a very
important question. The question is: "HAVE YOU BEEN SCRIPTURALLY
BAPTIZED?" You will notice that I did not ask, "Have you been
baptized?" but, "Have you been SCRIPTURALLY baptized?" There is a
vast difference between the two questions. Many, many, people have
submitted to some act which they call baptism. By this, I mean, many
have been led into the water and been immersed. But, it takes more
than immersion in water for one to have Bible baptism. Others have
gone through an act referred to as baptism by having water poured
over them or water sprinkled upon them. There are many false ideas
being believed and practiced by mankind relative to the subject of
baptism. Hence our question, "Have you been scripturally baptized?"
HAVE YOU?
     In order for baptism to meet Heaven's approval, there are at
least three requirements which must be met: When we say Heaven's
approval, we mean, not what you may wish or what I might like, but
what does the throne of Heaven approve of. You see it matter little
what our feelings might agree to; but, it matters a great deal as to
what our Eternal God has said relative to this important subject.
     FIRST requirement of scriptural baptism: Scriptural baptism
must be administered to a person who is prepared for it. The
candidate must be aware of what is being done. For this reason
(among others) an infant is not a fit subject to be baptized. One
who is scripturally baptized must prepare the heart by FAITH.
Hebrews 11:6, states, "And without faith it is impossible to be
well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him." Did
you hear what the inspired writer said? If one comes to God, that
person must have faith. But how is faith produced?  Faith is
produced by the hearing of the Word of God.  Listen to Romans 10:17,
"So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
Thus unless one can hear, understand and believe the testimony of
God's Word, that one cannot be scripturally baptized.  An infant
cannot hear and understand the Word of God; thus, the infant cannot
have faith.  Therefore, the infant cannot be scripturally baptized.
Were you my friend baptized while still an infant? If so, you were
not scripturally baptized. I say that as kindly as I can, but yet as
forcefully as I can. I am interested in the salvation of your soul,
the very purpose of this radio program. And for me not to attempt to
warn you is the same as my not being concerned about you. I am not
attempting to win some popularity contest. I am extremely interested
in getting people to open their hearts to the revealed Word of God
and to be moved to obey that word.
     Also, mandatory to scriptural baptism is the preparation of the
life of the candidate. This is performed by REPENTANCE.  Repentance
is a change of direction, a reversal, an about face.  One must be
filled with godly sorrow because of sins committed against God.
Hear the apostle Paul again, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance
unto salvation..." (2 Corinthians 7:10).  This repentance results in
a reformation of life and actions.  It is a turning away from sin
and a turning toward God. Here again infant baptism fails to meet
this requirement, because the infant has not transgressed God's
laws, thus not a sinner, and not in need of salvation.  Can an
infant repent of his or of her sins?  If not, then the infant cannot
be scripturally baptized.
     Scriptural baptism must be preceded by an acknowledgment of
one's belief in Christ. This is done by CONFESSION. Paul states,
"with thy mouth confession is made UNTO salvation" (Romans 10:10).
Jehovah has always demanded man to express himself in a positive
affirmative manner. Can the infant confess his or her faith in
Christ Jesus as the Son of God? If not, then the infant cannot be
scripturally baptized. My friend, unless your baptism has been
preceded by Faith, Repentance and Confession, you have not been
scripturally baptized. So, I ask you again, HAVE YOU BEEN
SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED?
     A SECOND requirement of scriptural baptism: Scriptural baptism
must be done in the right way.  Baptism is identified as being a
BURIAL.  Hear the inspired writer in Romans chapter six, "We were
buried therefore with him through baptism into death" (Romans 6:4).
And again, "Having been buried with him in baptism" (Colossians
2:12).  Also used to describe this action is the statement, "wherein
ye were also raised with him, to walk in newness of life."
Scriptural baptism must involve a burial and a resurrection of the
candidate; a form of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ
Jesus. Christ was crucified, buried and raised from the grave.  So
likewise, man today must be crucified to the sins of the world
(Galatians 2:20), buried in the waters of baptism, and raised as a
new creature in Christ. In Acts 8:36-39, we read of a man who was
scripturally baptized. We see that they (the Ethiopian nobleman and
Philip the preacher) were riding along in the chariot and they "came
unto a certain water." They stopped the chariot and both of them
went down into the water.  While in the water Philip baptized the
man. Then, there was a "coming up out of the water." One must have
help to misunderstand this example. No other action (short of
immersion) will meet these requirements.  This is why it is stated
that John was "baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was
much water there" (John 3:23).  Why was much water needed?  Because
baptism is a burial in water; a going down into the water and a
coming up from the water. Pouring water over a candidate, or
sprinkling water upon a candidate does not require much water and
will not meet the requirements of scriptural baptism. I ask you
again, my friends, have you been scripturally baptized?? Did you go
down into the water and did you come up out of the water?  If you
did not, then you have not been scripturally baptized. And not being
scripturally baptized, you stand in jeopardy of losing your soul.
    A THIRD requirement of scriptural baptism: Scriptural baptism
must be done for the right reason.  The apostle Peter states that
baptism is "for (unto) the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Saul was
told to, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts
22:16). There is a definite connection between baptism and the
removal of or washing away of one's sins.  Baptism is NOT done
"because of the remission of sins." Baptism is NOT done "as an
outward act of some inward grace." Some religious bodies teach that
one is baptized because their sins have already been forgiven.  Such
is not Bible teaching. Scriptural baptism is done as an act of
obedience to God and until one obeys God that person is still in his
or her sins.  Just here I am reminded of the words of Hebrews 5:8,9,
"though he were the son, yet learned he obedience by the things
which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Did you
hear what the inspired writer said? Eternal salvation to all them
that obey Him. You must obey Christ. What did Christ say? "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Have you
done that?  Have you been scripturally baptized? Dear friend, this
is a serious matter. Eternity hangs in the balance.
     Baptism is that which puts one INTO Christ. Listen to Galatians
3:26, 27, "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on
Christ." How many have put on Christ? Just so many as were baptized
into Him. My friend, until you are baptized, you are still OUT OF
Christ; and if out of Christ, still in your sins and in danger of
eternal condemnation.  Jesus said, "Not everyone who sayth unto me
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that
doeth the will of my father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).  We
must DO the will of God if we would enter into heaven and the joys
thereof when this life is over.
     I ask you once again, HAVE YOU BEEN SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED? What
is your honest answer? You need not worry about giving answer to me,
for I am not your judge; but, you must give answer to God. Be honest
with your Creator?  Have you been scripturally baptized? If you have
not met these three preceding requirements you are still in your
sins and if still in your sins "where Christ is you cannot go."
Jesus so states in John 8:21. Dear listener, will you not give
serious consideration to this important question? If you have not
been scripturally baptized, we plead with you that you obey God now
--today. Do not procrastinate!! You are gambling on your eternal
destiny.
     If you were in a burning building, would you not count me as a
friend if I warned you of the dangers of the fire? Or, would you
rather that I not call out to you and warn you of the fire. Just let
you be destroyed in the fire. I truly believe that there are untold
millions in danger of being lost in eternity. For this reason, if
you are yet in your sins, I call upon you to see the danger of the
pathway you are following and correct your life while time and
opportunity is still with you.
     If you would like to study this subject, or any other Bible
subject further, please feel free to call upon us. If you have a
Bible question, feel free to ask it. If you would like to correspond
by mail, the address is: White Park church of Christ; Route 1, Box
502, Anahuac, TX 77514.

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