What is Baptism?

  1. an act of obedience for remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
  2. complete immersion in water (Acts 8:36-38; John 3:23)
  3. an act essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5)

The Word ‘Baptise’

  1. The Greek word ‘BAPTO’ means “to dip or plunge”. It never means to sprinkle or to pour. The Greek word signifies not just immersion, but also a dyeing – the changing of the colour of a garment.
  2. The first essential to a true baptism is an acceptance of the first principles of God’s revelation. (cp. Acts 8:36-37; John 3:16; 11:25; 17:3)

Baptism – A Symbol of Sacrifice

  • Baptism is a symbol of sacrifice. As Jesus gave up his life upon the cross, the true believer, by submitting to baptism, publicly declares that he will figuratively “crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:24)


The Lord Jesus Christ was himself baptised. (Matthew 3:13-15) His baptism prefigured His coming sacrifice on the cross, which he described as ‘a baptism’ (Luke 12:50)

  • Baptism a symbol of death, burial and resurrection.


ROMANS 6

6:3 Baptised into Jesus Christ
6:3 Baptised into his death
6:6 Crucified with Him
6:6 Body of sin destroyed
6:4 Christ raised from dead
6:4 Walk in newness of life
6:5 In the likeness of His death
 6:5 In the likeness of his resurrection
6:11 Dead unto sin
6:11 Alive unto God

COLOSSIANS 2

2:12 Buried with him in baptism
 2:12 Risen with him

Baptism – an Outward Symbol of Inward Washing

Ephesians 5:26


Baptism

  1. Constitutes us as being ‘in Christ’ (Galatians 3:26-27)
  2. Provides for the covering of our sins in Christ (Galatians 3:27)
  3. Constitutes us as “Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29)
  4. Is a symbolic sacrificial death (Romans 6:6)

An Unbaptised Person

Is not in Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13; John 3:3-5)


Steps to Salvation

The commission of Christ to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 was

  1. Teach the people
  2. Baptise them
  3. Ensure obedience to the commandments

The Christadelphian and the State

“Christianity was in its earliest days entirely unpolitical. The best representatives of the primitive tradition in our times are the Christadelphians, who believe the end of the world to be imminent and refuse to have any part or lot in secular affairs.”

(Bertrand Russell: ‘POWER, a New Social Analysis’ 1938)

Christadelpians are Pilgrims here – Hebrews 11:13

  • Citizens of God’s Kingdom to come – John 18:36
  • Obeying God rather than man where there is a conflict of laws – Acts 5:29; 4:19
  • Serving God not mammon – Luke 16:13
  • Realising Christ will abrogate all human government – Daniel 2:44

Disciples of Christ are Harmless as Doves – Matthew 10:16

  • Resist not evil – Matthew 5:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:15
  • Love your enemies – Matthew 5:43-45; James 2:8
  • Avenge not yourselves – Romans 12:19
  • He who takes “the sword will perish by it” – Matthew 26:52
  • Servants of Christ may not now war – John 18:36
  • Judge not that ye be not judged – Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 5:12
  • Recompense no man evil for evil – Romans 12:17
  • Do not go to law – 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
  • Do not take an oath – Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12

Christ’s Example – 1 Peter 2:21-23

  • He came to save not to destroy lives – Luke 9:56
  • Did no violence – Isaiah 53:9
  • Holy, harmless, undefiled – Hebrews 7:26
  • Not a judge or divider in this age – Luke 12:13-14


Hence Christadelphians, because of conscience toward God, abstain from occupation as:

soldiers, non-combatant auxiliaries to military forces, civil defence, judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, jurors, prison warders, police, lawyers; and employment in munitions manufacture or military-related occupations.

Life in Christ

We exist for God’s pleasure – Revelation 4:11

Because God is love – 1 John 4:8

Reflecting God’s love commends us to God – 1 John 4:16

By Christ we receive authority to become sons of God – John 1:12-13

Born of incorruptible seed to reflect God’s virtues – 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:10

Remade in God’s moral image – Colossians 3:9-17

By dwelling on God’s virtues – Philippians 4:8-9

So we imitate God’s ways – Ephesians 5:1-16

God has given us the means to keep Him at the forefront of our minds

His Name of Purpose – Exodus 3:13-15

Our probation carried on amid trouble – Acts 14:22

To develop perseverance – Romans 5:3, and hope – Romans 8:16-25
God brings us close to Himself in prayer for encouragement – Hebrews 10:14-23

God Himself strengthens us to overcome sin – Ephesians 3:14-21
And to do His will and proclaim His Truth – Philippians 2:12-16
Being not forgetful hearers – James 1:22-25

Being constant preachers of the Word – 2 Timothy 4:1-5

And walking in the Truth till Christ comes – 3 John 1-4