Requirements of a Scriptural Baptism


			Requirements of a Scriptural Baptism
			PROPER ADMINISTRATOR Read Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:6; and Titus 1:5. The Scriptures require that the man who baptizes be an ordained teacher in the church. This point is easily confirmed by reviewing the record of the early church in the book of Acts. It was only the apostles or other ordained teachers who baptized in the New Testament. For further study see Proper Administrator. PROPER SUBJECT Read Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-37; and I Peter 3:21. The Scriptures teach that an individual to be baptized must first repent and believe the gospel. This requires the subject to be of sufficient age to comprehend the essential elements of the gospel and agree with them. The Scriptures know nothing of baptizing infants. The subject of baptism must have an active conscience in order to give answer. For further study see Proper Subject. PROPER DOCTRINE Read Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:37; and I Corinthians 15:1-4. The essential elements of the gospel that must be believed prior to baptism center around the Lord Jesus Christ and His role as the Son of God and the only Saviour from sin. It is the Person of Jesus Christ that is the basis of true doctrine. For further study see Proper Doctrine. PROPER MODE Read Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; and I Peter 3:21. Baptism is an immersion of the subject completely under water. This is done to represent (show a likeness or figure of) the burial and resurrection of Christ, which put away our sins. As everyone knows, a thing is neither buried nor planted with only a sprinkling. Baptism must provide a figure of the resurrection of Christ, which is only done by immersion. For further study see Proper Mode. PROPER DESIGN Read Titus 3:5; Hebrews 1:3; 9:14; and I Peter 3:21. Baptism does not put away sin. It is only a figure of how our sins were put away by Christ's death and resurrection. Baptism is simply an answer and testimony to God for what He did by Himself. It is the answer toward God of a conscience made good by the blood of Christ. For further study see Proper Design.