Baptism

Scripture references from F.G. Smith's "What The Bible Teaches."

The observance of Baptism and other ordinances rests upon the Great Commision. (Mt. 28: 19-20, Mk. 16: 15-16). Ordinances were not done away with at Christ's death.  Misapplication of Col. 2:4. What was abolished were the ordinances of Mosaic law (Col. 2: 16-17, Heb. 9:10).  

Baptism is for believers- Mk. 16:15-16 limits baptism to those who are capable of hearing and believing. See Acts 8:12. No mention of children. Only believers- Acts 10, 16: 31-34.  Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God (1Pet. 3:21).

Baptism conditioned on repentance- Mt. 3: 1-8, Lk. 7:30, Acts 2:38, 8: 21.

Baptism is a burial- The English word for baptizo is immerse.  Believer dies to sin, is crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20), buried with Christ in baptism, rise with Christ through faith (Col. 2:11-12). An outward sign of an inward work. Rom. 6: 1-4. Jesus went into the water at His baptism in the Gospel accounts.  See Acts 8: 36-39.

Baptism a purifying ordinance- Jews considered it a purifying ordinance (Link Lev. 14: 2-7[a double cleansing, ceremonial and actual] and Mt. 8: 1-4, see also Jn. 3: 23-25).   See Acts 2: 38, 22:16. Baptism does not actually cleanse us from sin but is a testimony.  Figurative nature of baptismal cleansing- 1Pet. 3: 20-21- the answer of a good conscience toward God.  How is this good conscience obtained? Christ's blood cleanses us: Heb. 9:14, 1Jn. 1:7, Rev. 1:5.     

Single Immersion- Acts 2:38, 10:48, 8:16, 19:5.