This study was first taught on March 19, 2017

Topic: The Doctrine of Baptisms_5: The Matter of Faith

(use the audio to study)

---

Background
In our discussions, last week, we considered the third of the crucial issues as relates to the teachings or instructions on (doctrine of) baptisms; and that was “The Matter of Experience”. We noted that experience is putting to practice, what has been taught. It is the tasting of the pudding that has been so aptly described with the attestation that what was described is truly so. Experience is what affirms the Christian as a doer of the word of God, and not just a hearer of it. Experience is the manifestation of the benefits and blessings of baptisms in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, we noted that, few believers in the Lord have experienced the blessings of baptisms in their lives. Thus, we observed that there is indeed a gap between teachings and instructions and the practical application of what has been taught or instructed. This gap must be bridged if a believer is to benefit from the blessings of baptisms. In seeking to bridge what we termed ‘the doctrine-experience gap’, ‘the doctrine-demonstration gap’, or, ‘the teaching-daily application gap’, we first addressed the source of the gap. The gap is attributable to a lack of personal relationship based on love for God, between the believer and God through the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a lack of submission to Christ for the effectual work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. In breaking this down further, we noted that many believers do not accept the word of God as truth, subjecting same to their own understanding and interpretation; they do not believe the word of God enough to live it out in their lives every day; they have no real conviction of the veracity and inerrancy of the word of God about baptisms; and, they have no desire to taste of the benefit and blessings of baptisms.

The way to eliminate the doctrine-experience gap, therefore, is to return to God in true repentance, submit totally to Christ, whilst resisting the devil, and, yield to the Holy Spirit, letting Him lead you daily. What this means for everyday living is that, after you have acknowledged your error in following your ways, rather than the way of God, and have received His forgiveness, you must henceforth, accept the word of God as truth, believe it with conviction, and desire to taste of the blessings enunciated therein. You must understand that the love of God for you comes with His discipline, which is good for your spiritual growth and applied for correction, rather than being a channel of God’s anger, wrath, or punishment. Indeed, the proof of the blessings associated with baptisms becomes a reality in your life, once the doctrine-experience gap closes; thereafter, your love for God demonstrated by obeying His every word will be manifest, and, your love for all peoples, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, gender, and belief, will be visible to all.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:5; Hebrews 6:1-2a; Colossians 2:11-12
In addressing the matter of baptism, our third scripture text notes the place of faith in baptism. Because we believe that God raised Jesus from death, therefore, we submit to baptism, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we also shall be raised unto a newness of life. Our faith in God, therefore means that we believe, with complete conviction, what the word of God says about the blessings of baptisms (Mark 16:15-18).
The word “faith” in Christendom is sacred, yet, it has been bastardized, largely due to ignorance about what it really is, and how it works. For the avoidance of doubt, we shall attempt to first see what faith is in general, then, we shall go on to see how it is crucial in the matter of baptisms. May the Lord help us to receive illumination in this matter, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hebrews 11:1-6; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:17; 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 12:3-8; 6:3-11; Luke 11:9-13; John 7:37-39; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 10:32-38; James 2:17-26; Hebrews 11:7, 24-27; 1 Peter 4:19; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59; 2 Timothy 1:12.

Conclusion
Baptism is a physical act that depicts a spiritual truth, with manifestations, proving what the bible says about baptisms. Except for Christian (or water) baptism, all other baptisms are not administered by a human, though humans may be involved in one form or another—as in the case of laying on of hands for the receiving of the Holy Spirit, in some instances. What this means therefore, is that, as with all spiritual things, faith is essential in baptisms—receiving it and experiencing its benefits!

Without faith, nothing can be received and enjoyed in the kingdom of God. Hence, if the benefits of baptisms are to be received and enjoyed, the believer must exercise his or her faith in God, through Christ Jesus. Faith is the assurance we have, that something we hope for, will surely occur. It is the evidence we have, that something, not as yet visible, will materialize. Faith, in biblical usage is always tied to, and based on, God and His word. Faith in yourself, or in anything or anyone apart from God is not biblical faith! To believe God’s word, despite evidence to the contrary, is to exhibit resolute faith.

As it relates to the doctrine of—the teachings or instructions about—baptisms, faith is the assurance that we exhibit, and the action we engage in, that speak of our resolute belief in the doctrine of baptisms. For example, since the Lord Jesus commanded that we be baptized, we obey and are baptized. Also, since God’s word says that through baptism, all those who have been born anew of the Spirit of God are of one family, and of one Spirit, we cannot discriminate against another believer, regardless of the church he is a part of; neither can we discredit his or her baptism because it was not performed in our own local assembly; nor, can we justify engaging in competition with other local assemblies: a situation in which different local assemblies are meeting at the same time in the same building does not speak of faith, but of the flesh!

The crux of faith as it relates to baptisms then, is to simply accept God’s word on baptisms, believe it with conviction, and act on it as much as lies within you, or simply trust in, and depend on, God to bring His word to pass in your life. Therefore, now that we are aware that baptisms are rites of passage, we should desire to go through every one of them, and so attain to spiritual maturity. Similarly, since we now know that through baptisms, God marks us, and in so doing, protects and preserves us from the evil to come, our trust in God, must be unflinching and resolute, even when the baptism is one of suffering, as did the Lord Jesus during His passion, and other saints through the ages past!

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List