Baptism - Baptizo

By Rev. Richard Burgett

The word Baptize in Jewish usage first appears in the Mosaic laws of purification (Exodus 30: 17-21)

with the Brass-laver, where it was used in "washing and cleaning". Today it is in the figuratively speaking of the

"washing" through the blood of Christ (I Corinthian 6:11) ; also in Ephesians 5:25-26, "Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the

washing of water by the word." ; and in Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but

according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

(Baptism is not a "WORK". It is an"ACT". )

John in Revelation 1:5 speaks of Christ who loved us and "washed us from our sin in His own blood."

Then the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:14 are said to "have washed their robes, and made them

white in the blood of the Lamb." The writer of Hebrews 10:22 said, "Let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed

with pure water." That is why Ananias came to Paul and instructed him saying; "Now why tarriest

thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Now Paul

knew personally the name of the Lord - for Jesus had appeared unto him and revealed himself to him.

Baptism answers the heart cry of the psalmist. Consider Psalm 51:2 "Wash me thoroughly from mine

iniquity." or Isaiah 1:16 "Wash you, make you clean". On the day of Pentecost when the message of

revelation of the redeeming work of Christ was preached by Peter, the people asked "what shall we

do?" to be saved. Peter answered, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ

for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). Some might be

confused because of Matthew 28:19 which says "In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son and

in the name of the Holy Ghost". But this can be answered in the action of the early Church. Consider

the revival in Samaria; "they believed Philip's preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God,

and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women." (Acts 8:12) How do we know

the people were baptized in Jesus name by Philip? (Verses 15-16 "that they might receive the Holy

Ghost for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord

Jesus.)

Think upon these examples: Acts 8:38 Philip baptized the eunuch.

Acts 9: 17-18 Paul is baptized.

Acts 10:44-48 Gentiles receive the Holy Ghost and are baptised in Jesus Name.

Acts 19:1-7 Paul rebaptized John's disciples!

In closing, Hebrew 9:22 "without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (of sin). Exodus 12:13 "the blood

shall be to you for a token" -- "when I see the blood I will pass over you."

Mark 14:24 & Luke 22:20 "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many."

I Corinthians 11:25 "This cup is the new testament in my blood."

Romans 3:25 "Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood."

I Corinthains 10:16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?"

Ephesians 1:7 & Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood."

In baptism, you take on figuratively and spiritually the Father's name, blood line and become a member of His family by birth and not membership. (John 3:3-17)

Ye must be born again!

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