Baptism

Baptism must be after true Godly heartfelt repentance. Baptism is by immmersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2 verse 38). When a sinner is convicted of their sin and have repented of their sin and realised their need for the Saviour to change their lives and have a true revelation of the plan of Redemption and want God to have full control of their lives and change their lives then they are ready for baptism. When a person is willing for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ to be Lord and Saviour of their lives then they are ready for baptism. Baptism is an answer of a good conscience towards God. The word baptism comes from the Greek word "Baptidzo" meaning "...to plunge, to immerse to put under...." . When someone dies they are buried six feet under in the belly of the earth. When someone repents of their sin with Godly repentance and not just a dried eyed confession, they feel compelled by the Spirit ofd God to be baptised by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts chapters 8 verse 26 to 40, 10 verse 1 to 48 and 19 verse 1 to 7 we read about baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4 verse 12 says "....Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved....". Sprinkling water on the forehead of a child or an adult is not baptism it's just sprinkling water on the forehead. No where in the Bible or early Christian History were any of the believers sprinkled on the forehead with the words of the title " Father , Son and Holy Ghost" pronounced over them. Father is not a name, son is not a name and the Holy Ghost is not a name. These are titles like the Seven Redemptive titles of Jehovah. They are titles like Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, The Bright and Morning Star , The Lily of the Valleys, The Rose of Sharon, The Kinsmen Redeemer, The Messiah, The Anointed One, The Firstborn from the dead,Wonderful, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The King of kings and Lord of Lords etc etc . These are all Holy titles of the Holy One of Israel. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole family in heaven and earth is named Lord Jesus Christ ( Ephesians 3 verses 14 and 15 ). Baptism helps the believer identify with the death , burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and is a witness and a testimony to the world of the inner work of grace. By grace are we savednot by works lest any man should boast. Errol Smythe.