THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM

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EARLY CHURCH PRACTICESRolan D. Monje

Teaching Class 20102

Caution from the New TestamentJude 1:3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

1 Tim 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them3Reconstruction of Church History The New Testament Christian literature Greek and Roman writings Jewish writings Other writings4FlashbackIn history, there are two early church ordinances that are agreed upon: communion and baptism.These are the two earliest among the early churchs practices.5EvidenceTo show the importance of communion and baptism, we will look at two sources:

1. the Bible record, and 2. the records of church history.6#1 COMMUNIONOther terms used are Lords supper Lords TableEucharistBreaking of the breadOblation

7#1 COMMUNION Four main passages (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25).

Acts 2:42 refers to the table fellowship as breaking of bread (cf. Acts 20:7). 8Acts 2:42NIV: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

TAB: silay napanatiling matibay sa turo ng mga apostol at sa pagsasamasama, sa pagpuputolputol ng tinapay, at sa mga panalangin.91 Cor 11:23-26Paul writes, For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you...We note of the bread, This is my body, which is for you, of the cup, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, and the doubled command, This do in remembrance of me.10Justin Martyr, Apology I.55Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; 11

Justin Martyr, Apology I.55and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen.12Justin Martyr, Apology I.56... those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

13Justin Martyr, Apology I.56 ...not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; both flesh and blood for our salvation... that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, This do ye in remembrance of Me, (Luk_22:19) this is My body; and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, This is My blood; and gave it to them alone.14Early worship

Pliny the Youngers Letterthey met before daybreak on a particular daythey sang a hymn (Lat: carmen dicere) to Christ as a god, took an oath (sacramentum) to abstain from crime, and dispersed to meet again later to eat.16Our responseTake each communion time as specialPray for your heart when you take communionCome to the meetings of the body with gratitude 17#2 BAPTISMEnglish verb baptize is a transliteration (simply, word conversion using the corresponding letters of one alphabet to another) of the Greek word Baptism Greek noun baptismaSimilarly, Amen is the transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning so be it or let it be (Num 5:22). In the original language, baptisma mainly means immersion or dipping.

18Baptism in ActsActs 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:12-13 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 19Baptism in Pauls letters 1 Cor. 12:13 (NIV) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Galatians 3:27 (NIV) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

20Baptism and SalvationMark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

21Baptism and commissionMatthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 22Baptism and unionRomans 6:3-4 (NIV) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

23Therefore, at baptismOne is forgiven of his sins (Acts 2:38).One is put into Christ (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:1-6) and his body (I Cor. 12:13). One calls on the name of the Lord and his sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

24At baptismOne is saved through an appeal to God for a good conscience (one does not until baptism have a good conscience) and through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (I Pet. 3:21).One puts on Christ (Gal. 3:27).One is buried with Christ and baptized into his death and rises to live a new life (Rom. 6:2-4). This must be the time when Jesus blood covers his sins (note how it is through the blood of Christ that we have redemption in Eph. 1:7 and Matt. 26:28

25At baptismOne is united or grown together or becomes at one with (sumphutos) Christ and our old self is crucified with him (Rom. 6:5). One is buried with him, we were spiritually circumcised, we put off the old nature which was offensive to God, and we were raised with him through our faith in the power of God, were made alive with Christ and forgiven our sins (Col. 2:11-13). We are no longer offensive to God after baptism. 26At baptismWe are given the promise that we will live with him: Now if we died with Christ we will also live with him (Rom. 6:8). Hence one is assured of his own resurrection in the future.One is born again (born from above), John 3:3-5.One receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) who renews us and saves us through his sanctifying work ( II Thes. 2:13).

27HISTORICAL EVIDENCE28

WashingsCeremonial Washings Leviticus 16:4,24 (for purification).Jewish tradition CleansingProselyte baptismQumran tradition29WashingsRachatz (Lev 16.4, also v.24)v;bel]W /r`c;B]Ata, yIM'B' 6j'r:w

He must wash in water Miqveh (cf. Gen 1.10a)arY"w" yM-iy" ar1:q; yIM`'h' hwEq]mil]W

He gathered the waters and called them30

Existence of baptistries31

Existence of baptistries32

Jerusalem pools & tunnels33

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Qumran hwqm (miqveh)35

PATRISTIC WRITINGS36

The Epistle of Barnabas, c. 70-100 A.D.Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the waterWe indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement. However, we come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and the trust in Jesus in our spirit. Barnabas 1.144.37Hermas, c. 70-130 A. D.I hear, sir, some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place, when we descended into the water and received remission of our former sins. Hermas 2.22.Before a man bears the name of the Son of God, he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he lays aside his deadness and obtains life. The seal, then, is the water. They descend into the water dead, and they arise alive. Hermas 2.49.38Justin Martyr, c. 100-165 A.D.They there receive the washing with water in the I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ. for the remission of their past sins. The rest of us pray and fast with them. They are brought by us name of God (the Father and Lord of the universe), of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. For Christ also said, "Unless you are born again, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Justin Martyr 1.183.39Justin Martyr, c. 100-165 A.D.

This washing of repentance and knowledge of God has been ordained on account of the transgression of Gods people, as Isaiah cries. Accordingly, we have believed and testify that the very baptism which he announced is alone able to purify those who have repented. And this is the water of life. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.201. 40Irenaeus of Lyons, c. 130-200 A.D.When we come to refute them [the Gnostics], they have renounced the whole faith. For the baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was for the remission of sins. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.346.41

Clement of Alexandria, c. 150-215 A.D.Being baptized, we are illuminated. Illuminated, we become sons. This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection, and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.215.In the same way, therefore, we also repent of our sins, renounce our iniquities, and are purified by baptism. Thereby, we speed back to the eternal light as children of the Father. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.217.42

Tertullian of Carthage, c. 160-230 A.D.

Now, the teaching is laid down that "without baptism, salvation is attainable by no one." This is based primarily on the ground of that declaration of the Lord, who says, "Unless one is born of water he has not life." However, when this is laid down, there immediately arise scrupulous (or rather, audacious) doubts on the part of some. Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.674, 675.43

Origen, c. 185-255 A.D.Matthew alone adds the words, "to repentance," teaching us that the benefit of baptism is connected with the intention of the baptized person. To him who repents, it is saving. However, to him who comes to it without repentance, it will produce greater condemnation. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.367. 44

Historical-patristic evidenceHistory tells us that for at least 1500 years, baptism was expected and practiced by those who wished to convert to ChristianityDuring the Reformation, Luther and others reacted to works-oriented Catholicism; the idea of just believe and faith alone sprang from this (over)reaction45Recommended readingGeneral info:Article Immersion for Salvation at www.douglasjacoby.comArticle 20 Questions on Baptism at www.addtoyourlearning.com

On the popular Sinners PrayerThe Sinners Prayer online article by Steve Staten @ www.myconvictions.com

46Our responseBe grateful for your baptismMake each spiritual birthday specialBe fired up about calling others to repent and be baptized to respond to the good news of Jesus47ConclusionBecause God loves us, he gave us his Word to tell us how to respond to his love.

History and Archeology help prove the importance of communion and baptism in the early church.

We can be fired up that we are truly following what the Bible says!

48Christian Essentials Series

EARLY CHURCH PRACTICESTeaching Class 201049Thank You for coming!