A Summary of Christian Doctrine
An Adult Bible Study on the Basics of the Christian Faith
Lesson 8 — Baptism

What is the basic difference between a sacrament and a sacrifice?

A sacrifice is something we do for God; a sacrament is something God does for us.

How do we define a sacrament?

A Sacrament is a sacred act instituted by God Himself in which there are certain visible means connected with God’s Word by which God offers, gives and seals to us the forgiveness of sins which Christ earned through His life, death and resurrection.

How many sacred acts fit this definition?

Only two: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

When did God institute Baptism?

Matthew 28: 18-20
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19. 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, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Amen.*

What does the word “baptize” mean?

To wash or apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, etc.

Mark 7:4
“When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.”

Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Acts 22: 16
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

Through whom does the church administer Baptism?

I Corinthians 4:1
“So then men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.”

Who is to be baptized?

Matthew 28: 19
“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,”

Acts 2: 38-39
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

John 3: 5-6
“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

Psalm 51: 5
“Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Mark 10: 13-16
“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 16. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

Matthew 18: 6
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Titus 3: 5-7
“he saved us, not because of righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6. whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7. so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

What distinction is made in baptizing (See Matthew 18: 18-20)?

Infants are baptized first, then taught; adults are taught first, then baptized.

Acts 2: 41 (See also Acts 8: 26-39 and Acts 16: 25-33)
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

What is the benefit of Baptism?

Galatians 3: 26-27
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27. for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Mark 16: 16
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

I Peter 3: 21
“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.”

Ephesians 5: 25-26
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her by the washing with water through the word,”

Romans 6: 4
“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.”

*All Scripture readings, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.