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2. 2 Years ago a poet said, “I wish there were some wonderful place, called the Land of Beginning Again, where all my mistakes and my heartaches, and all my poor, selfish grief, could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door, and never put on again.”

3. 3 All of us have at times desperately wished for an opportunity to start all over again, with a new, clean record. The book of Revelation repeatedly refers to the privilege of beginning again. For example, Rev.1:5 tells us Jesus washes evil from our lives so we can start over. Rev. 3:8 sets before us an open door to a new life. Rev. 10:8-11 explains that after bitter disappointment we must begin afresh; and Rev. 21:5 promises that Jesus will make everything new.

4. 4 Did you know that Jesus has lovingly provided for us a public ceremony in which the past is officially buried and a marvelous new life begins? Nothing in all the world compares to this great event for joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It is priceless!Did you know that Jesus has lovingly provided for us a public ceremony in which the past is officially buried and a marvelous new life begins? Nothing in all the world compares to this great event for joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It is priceless!

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6. 6 1.What is the gospel commission? Matt. 28:191.What is the gospel commission? Matt. 28:19 “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them.”“Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them.”

7. 7 2.Is baptism important? Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

8. 8 3.What are some forms of baptism used today? Immersion (body submerged backwards in water)a.Immersion (body submerged backwards in water) Triune immersion (body submerged forward 3 times)b.Triune immersion (body submerged forward 3 times) Aspersion (being sprinkled with water)c.Aspersion (being sprinkled with water) Infusion (having water poured on you)d.Infusion (having water poured on you)

9. There are several other ways of baptism being practiced today …

10. 10 Note: About 15 (or more) different ceremonies are called baptism today and people say, “what difference does it make?” We shall see that it makes a real difference to God and we should be anxious to follow His counsel.Note: About 15 (or more) different ceremonies are called baptism today and people say, “what difference does it make?” We shall see that it makes a real difference to God and we should be anxious to follow His counsel.

11. 11 4.How many ways are there into God’s kingdom? Eph. 4:5 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

12. 12 Note: God recognizes only one true form of baptism. All other forms are not really baptism at all.

13. 13 5.What does the word “baptize” mean?

14. 14 Note: “Baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptizo”which means “to dip, submerge or immerse.”

15. 15 Jesus Our Perfect Pattern

16. 16 7. How did John baptize Jesus? Mark 1:9-11

17. 17 8.What did Jesus tell John when he first refused to baptize Him? 8.What did Jesus tell John when he first refused to baptize Him? Matt. 3:13-15

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19. 19 9.Why did John baptize in Aenon? John 3:23

20. 20 10.What did Paul say about those who teach contrary to scripture? 10.What did Paul say about those who teach contrary to scripture? Gal. 1:11,12,8,9 “Let him be accursed.”“Let him be accursed.”

21. Note: The curse of Heaven rests upon men and angels who attempt to change any teachings of Jesus.

22. 22 11.How did Phillip baptize the Ethiopian treasurer? 11.How did Phillip baptize the Ethiopian treasurer? Acts 8:27-39 Answer:Answer: By immersion.By immersion.

23. Note:Note: Phillip baptized the treasurer the same way that Jesus was baptized.Phillip baptized the treasurer the same way that Jesus was baptized.

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25. 25 Note: Jesus said Christian baptism is an important part of our response to the Gospel invitation. Jesus’ cross, which is supremely important, is mentioned 28 times in the New Testament. On the other hand, baptism is mentioned over 100 times.Note: Jesus said Christian baptism is an important part of our response to the Gospel invitation. Jesus’ cross, which is supremely important, is mentioned 28 times in the New Testament. On the other hand, baptism is mentioned over 100 times.

26. 26 13.Where did other forms of baptism come from? Matt. 15:9 Jesus said, “in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”Jesus said, “in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The Bible and the Bible only!

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28. 28 Baptism by immersion was practiced by all the churches for several centuries!

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33. 33 Acts 10:44-48 14.Some say that baptism by the Holy Spirit is all we need. Is this true? Acts 10:44-48 “...on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

34. 34 According to the Bible, before baptism a person:

35. 35 15.In light of question 14, should infants be baptized? Answer: No, they should not be - except, in the (rare) case of prodigies.

36. 36 Note: Since infants cannot comply with God’s requirements, no minister has a right to baptize them. Sin is not counted against a child until he is old enough to understand and be accountable (John 9:41;James 4:17) at which time the youngster should prepare for baptism.Note: Since infants cannot comply with God’s requirements, no minister has a right to baptize them. Sin is not counted against a child until he is old enough to understand and be accountable (John 9:41;James 4:17) at which time the youngster should prepare for baptism.

37. 37 Baptism and Salvation 16.In Noah’s day people were saved by getting inside the ark. What does God provide for man today?16.In Noah’s day people were saved by getting inside the ark. What does God provide for man today? 1 Peter 3:20,211 Peter 3:20,21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.”“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.”

38. Note: The ark in the water symbolized safety in Noah’s day, and a person in the waters of baptism symbolizes the same today. In both cases the heart must be right first. But a heart right without baptism is not enough anymore than a heart right in Noah’s day would have been enough without getting into the ark.

39. 39 17.Like marriage, whose name do we take at baptism? Gal. 3:27

40. Note: We take Christ’s name in baptism as a wife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is as essential to a Christian as the wedding is to a marriage, Both ceremonies must be based on deep-seated love and full understanding, if they are to be meaningful. To refuse baptism is to refuse to take Christ’s name. Baptism is a public declaration of our relationship to Jesus.Note: We take Christ’s name in baptism as a wife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is as essential to a Christian as the wedding is to a marriage, Both ceremonies must be based on deep-seated love and full understanding, if they are to be meaningful. To refuse baptism is to refuse to take Christ’s name. Baptism is a public declaration of our relationship to Jesus. Marriage cf Baptism INTERVIEW!

41. 41 18.What is the experience of the person who is in Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17 “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature.”

42. 42 19.How do we honor the death,burial and resurrection of Jesus? Rom.6:4-6 By being baptized.

43. Note: Salvation centers on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor.15:3,4). Baptism by immersion represents all three. There is death to sin, next, a burial of the old life of sin under the water. Then a resurrection from the water to an entirely new life. No other form of baptism fits this symbolism.

44. 44 20.What ceremony brings us into God’s true church? 1 Cor. 12:13

45. Note: Baptism is the official act which makes one a member of Christ’s body. His body is His church (Col.1:18). Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance into His true church.Note: Baptism is the official act which makes one a member of Christ’s body. His body is His church (Col.1:18). Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance into His true church. God’s true church preach the three angels’ messages!

46. 46 21.Is rebaptism ever proper? Acts 19:2-5 “Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John’s baptism. When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”“Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John’s baptism. When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

47. Reasons for Rebaptism:Note: Reasons for Rebaptism: (1) If you were not baptized correctly the first time, (2) when major new light is received into spiritual lives, (3) those who go out into a life of (open) disobedience and come back to the Lord and His church / want to be recommitted to the Lord, should consider rebaptism.

48. ** Many people today are rebaptized when they learn of the Sabbath truth and other important truths to which their lives must conform in order to please Jesus.

49. 49 Baptism Pleases Jesus 22.Once a person meets Jesus’ conditions for baptism, how soon should he/she be baptized?22.Once a person meets Jesus’ conditions for baptism, how soon should he/she be baptized? Acts 22:16Acts 22:16 Answer: “…why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized…”

50. 50 23.When I refuse baptism who am I rejecting? Luke 7:30 Answer: I am rejecting the “counsel of God.”

51. 51 Mark 1:11 (Matt. 3:17) 24.When Jesus was baptized, what did His heavenly Father say? Mark 1:11 (Matt. 3:17) “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

52. Note: When Jesus was baptized it so pleased God that He spoke openly; likewise it pleases God when you and I are baptized today.

53. 25. Is being like Jesus very important to you?

54. 26. Is it important for you to be baptized the way Jesus was? Do you want to be baptized as soon as possible?

55. Given the fact that we are living in serious and dangerous times (2 Tim. 3:1), the uncertainty of life and the nearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucial that we make the right decision.Given the fact that we are living in serious and dangerous times (2 Tim. 3:1), the uncertainty of life and the nearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucial that we make the right decision.

56. 56 Friends …Friends … If you are born only once you will die twice.If you are born only once you will die twice. However, if you are born twice … you only might die once!However, if you are born twice … you only might die once! Note: One must die to sin in order to be really born again! (Gal. 2:20)Note: One must die to sin in order to be really born again! (Gal. 2:20) Friends, baptism is very important, don’t put it off (John 3:5). Jesus is coming soon.I sincerely hope you will make the right decisionFriends, baptism is very important, don’t put it off (John 3:5). Jesus is coming soon. I sincerely hope you will make the right decision.