Evangelist's Address

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 13, 26 August 1942, Page 2

Evangelist's Address

In a most instructive address, Evangelist Burnside, last Sunday night spoke on the subject of "Baptism." The scriptures indicate that baptism is a very essential and important rite and signifies one's determination to leave behind the sins and follies of this world and step forward into the new life of following the Saviour. It was about 300 years ago that John Bunyan, author of "Pilgrim's Progress," lay for 12 years confined in Bedford prison because he taught and practised the Bible method of Baptism. The truths of the Bible have certainly come down to us, declared the Evangelist, only at great cost. There will be at. least one man in heaven who was not baptised. This was the dying thief 011 the Cross, lowever, if the thief, after his conversion, had lived, he would certainly at the first opportunity have gone forward in this sacred rite of Baptism. Christ definitely commanded the necessity ol' Baptism for in Matt. 28:19 He declares, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, uaptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Those who wilfully reject this command of Christ when they have had opportunity of becoming baptised are certainly in a most serious condition for no wilfully disobedient person can enter heaven. Disobedience to God cannot be lightly passed over thus we read in Mark ; <j: -J 1;, "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Many churches are still continuing the apostate method of baptising infants. Infant baptism is definitely unscriptural. There are no records in scripture whatsoever of any infants ever becoming baptised. This practice actually urose from paganism as introduced into the apostate church of the Dark Ages. The reasons why infant baptism is unnecessary and definitely unscriptural is seen (1) Because Matt 28: 19 says that "teaching", or instruction, in the truths of.' salvation must precede baptism—and infants cannot be thus "taught" or instructed. (2) Because Mark 1G:1(! and Acts 8:37 definitely states that "belief" in tljie teachings of the gospel must also precede baptism—and mere infants cannot as yet "believe" in these vital truths. (3) Because Acts 2:38 says, that "repentance" must precede baptism—and innocent babes cannot, and have nothing for which to repent of. (4) Some people believe that Jesus was baptised as an infant but this is definitely erroneous. Luke 3 : 2 2 and 2 3 says that at Jesus' baptism "Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age." 1 Peter 2:21 claims that Jesus is our example and whether it be in the hallowing of that samo sacred tlmt Christ kept while upon this earth, or whether in the mode of, baptism, we do v/ell to follow in all things where Christ our great Example has led the way. (5) Lastly, infant baptism aiso seriously violates the testimony of scripture in that, for Christians, it is the great sign of one's determination to leave behind a life of sin and waif: ever after in "newness of life." However babes have no sins, lor which to repent and for which to wasli away. Innocent infants who have died will certainly be raised at the last, day of the glorious Coming of Christ after which they will gnow up "as the calves of the stall" We will meet our babies again in Heaven whether they have been baptised or not for they have died

in innocency. But to us who are older comes the iall and command to be baptised for we, at least, can realize the signilicance of baptiam and our need for repentance from

Baptism by immersion is the only method of baptism known and practised in the New Testament. It was the method by which Christ was baptised. Baptism by immersion is also the only method which aptly illustrates the significance of thd rite. Hence by command, example, and significance, baptism by immersion is the only valid form that there is of baptism. All other forms such as "sprinkling" or " pouring," are, by the clear testimony of scripture, invalid. For instance we notice: (1) That Mark 1:9 —II :speaks of Jesus (our example) as being baptised "in" Jordan, and of "coming up" "out oi the water." (2) John 3:20 tells us of baptism being conducted at Aeon "because there was much AViter there." (3) Again in Acls B.oti-:>!.» it speaks of Philip baptising the Etliopian by the only Bible mellioii — --baptism by immersion. The record read, "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and (hey went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and lie baptised him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Phi-lip." (•1) As a fourth point it is admitted by all Greek authorities that, the very word "baptism" means, literally 'to immerse,' 'submerge,' or 'to dip.' The very word, baptism implies an action of immersion. (f>) It is important to note that both Col. 2:12 and Rom. G.:> ayd -1 tells us very plainly that, baptism is a memorial of the death, burial and the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. And vhen we are baptised we are "buried with him in baptism" and r-vimilarly resurrected into "newness of life," says the Apostle I'aul in these two passages. Baptism by immersion Is the

only method which can fit into this significance of a death, a burial, and a resurrection. Some -claim that Sunday is the memorial of Christ's resurrection but Christ never utilized a pagan holiday for such a sacred purpose. Resurrection on our part from the watery grave of baptism by immersion is the divinely ordained symbol, and the only ordained symbol, of this most solemn and sacred event of the resurrection of our blessed Lord and Master. Bible Baptism thus forms a true picture of a burial of the old man of sin and then to arise from the watery grave, forever, if faithful, to take the name of 4 'Christian." By this do we publicly testify to our del termination to be so designated, and our determination to follow in the footsteps of Christ where He, as our great Leader and Example, has led the way. Baptism has been definitely commanded by Christ as a sign of our determination in this rer.peet. By baptism also 1' Cor. 12:13 declares that we thenceforth become a part of the very "body" or true clnirch of God, and the Evangelist appealed for all who, having been instructed in the truth of God, not to neglect or forsake this important God-or-! dained symbol of one's conversion and one's entry into the great Church of God. • I