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• The Land of Beginning AgainThe Land of Beginning Again• Lesson # 16Lesson # 16

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• Years ago a poet said, “I wish there were some wonderful place, called the Land of Beginning Again, where all my mistakes

and my heartaches, and all my poor, selfish grief, could be dropped like a

shabby old coat at the door, and never put on again.”

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• All of us have at times desperately wished for an opportunity to start all over again,

with a new, clean record. The book of Revelation repeatedly refers to the privilege of beginning again. For

example, Rev.1:5 tells us Jesus washes evil from our lives so we can start over. Rev. 3:8 sets before us an open door to a new life. Rev. 10:8-11 explains that after

bitter disappointment we must begin afresh; and Rev. 21:5 promises that Jesus

will make everything new.

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• Did you know that Jesus has lovingly Did you know that Jesus has lovingly provided for us a public ceremony in provided for us a public ceremony in

which the past is officially buried and a which the past is officially buried and a marvelous new life begins? Nothing in all marvelous new life begins? Nothing in all the world compares to this great event for the world compares to this great event for

joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It is joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It is priceless!priceless!

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• Jesus says that this momentous and Jesus says that this momentous and meaningful experience is absolutely meaningful experience is absolutely

imperative for any who would enter His imperative for any who would enter His new kingdom. This magnificent event is new kingdom. This magnificent event is called BAPTISM. Let’s see what Jesus called BAPTISM. Let’s see what Jesus

says about this vital matter.says about this vital matter.

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Jesus Commanded BaptismJesus Commanded Baptism

• 1.What is the gospel commission?1.What is the gospel commission? Matt. 28:19Matt. 28:19

• ““Go ye therefore and teach all nations, Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them.”baptizing them.”

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2.Is baptism important?2.Is baptism important? Mark 16:16Mark 16:16

• ““He that believeth and is He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be he that believeth not shall be damned.”damned.”

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3.What are some forms of baptism 3.What are some forms of baptism used today?used today?

• a.Immersion (body submerged Immersion (body submerged backwards in water)backwards in water)

• b.Triune immersion (body submerged Triune immersion (body submerged forward 3 times)forward 3 times)

• c.Aspersion (being sprinkled with water)Aspersion (being sprinkled with water)• d.Infusion (having water poured on you)Infusion (having water poured on you)

• There are several other ways of baptism being practiced today …

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• Note:Note: About 15 (or more) different ceremonies About 15 (or more) different ceremonies are called baptism today and people say, “what are called baptism today and people say, “what difference does it make?” We shall see that it difference does it make?” We shall see that it makes a real difference to God and we should makes a real difference to God and we should be anxious to follow His counsel.be anxious to follow His counsel.

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4.How many ways are there into 4.How many ways are there into God’s kingdom?God’s kingdom? Eph. 4:5Eph. 4:5

• ““One Lord, One Lord, one faith, one faith,

one one baptism.”baptism.”

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• Note: God recognizes only one true form of baptism. All other forms are not really baptism at all.

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5.What does the word 5.What does the word “baptize” mean?“baptize” mean?

• Answer: Answer: • To immerse, to To immerse, to

put under put under water.water.

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• Note: • “Baptize” comes from the Greek word

“baptizo”which means “to dip, submerge or immerse.”

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Jesus Our Perfect Pattern• 6.Who is my 6.Who is my perfect example perfect example in everything, in everything,

including including baptism?baptism?

• 1 Peter 2:211 Peter 2:21• Answer:Answer:

• Christ (Jesus).Christ (Jesus).

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7. How did John baptize Jesus? 7. How did John baptize Jesus? Mark 1:9-11Mark 1:9-11

• Jesus came up Jesus came up out ofout of the the water - water -

implying that implying that He was put He was put down under down under the water.the water.

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8.What did Jesus tell John when 8.What did Jesus tell John when he first refused to baptize Him?he first refused to baptize Him?

Matt. 3:13-15

• ““To fulfil To fulfil • all all

righteousness.”righteousness.”

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• Note:Note: • Jesus did not need baptism but He Jesus did not need baptism but He

knew that all of us would. So, to give us knew that all of us would. So, to give us a perfect example for righteous living, a perfect example for righteous living, Jesus requested baptism. Jesus requested baptism.

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9.Why did John baptize in 9.Why did John baptize in Aenon?Aenon? John 3:23John 3:23

• ““Because there was Because there was much water there.”much water there.”

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10.What did Paul say about those 10.What did Paul say about those who teach contrary to scripture?who teach contrary to scripture?

Gal. 1:11,12,8,9

• ““Let him be Let him be accursed.”accursed.”

• Note: The curse of Heaven rests upon men and angels who attempt to change any teachings of Jesus.

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11.How did Phillip baptize the 11.How did Phillip baptize the Ethiopian treasurer?Ethiopian treasurer? Acts 8:27-39

• Answer:Answer: • By immersionBy immersion..

• Note:Note: • Phillip baptized Phillip baptized

the treasurer the the treasurer the same way that same way that

Jesus was Jesus was baptized.baptized.

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Baptism is Baptism is ImportantImportant

• 12.According to Jesus, how 12.According to Jesus, how important is baptism?important is baptism? John 3:5John 3:5

• ““Unless a man be born of water Unless a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”into the kingdom of God.”

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• Note:Note: Jesus said Christian baptism is an important Jesus said Christian baptism is an important part of our response to the Gospel invitation. part of our response to the Gospel invitation. Jesus’ cross, which is supremely important, is Jesus’ cross, which is supremely important, is mentionedmentioned 28 28 times in the New Testament. On the times in the New Testament. On the other hand, baptism is mentioned over other hand, baptism is mentioned over 100100 times. times.

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13.Where did other forms of 13.Where did other forms of baptism come from?baptism come from? Matt. 15:9Matt. 15:9

• Jesus said, “in Jesus said, “in vain do they vain do they worship me, worship me, teaching for teaching for doctrines the doctrines the commandments commandments of men.”of men.”

The Bible and the Bible only!

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• Note: Note: • Misguided men have introduced these Misguided men have introduced these

other forms of baptism with no other forms of baptism with no approval from Heaven. History is approval from Heaven. History is clear that for centuries after the cross, clear that for centuries after the cross, baptism by immersion was the only baptism by immersion was the only form of baptism. Other forms of form of baptism. Other forms of baptism were added because they baptism were added because they were more convenient. Thus, a God-were more convenient. Thus, a God-given, sacred ceremony has been given, sacred ceremony has been shoved aside by human hands.shoved aside by human hands.

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Baptism by immersion was practiced by all the churches for several centuries!

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All the churches were built with All the churches were built with a (usually large) baptistry!a (usually large) baptistry!

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14.Some say that baptism by the Holy Spirit is all we need. Is this true?

Acts 10:44-48Acts 10:44-48

• “...on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

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According to the Bible, before baptism a According to the Bible, before baptism a person:person:

a. Must be taught &must accept all of Jesus’teachings.

Matthew 28:18-20.

b. Must believe theseteachings with allhis/her heart.

Mark 16:16.

c. Must repent of his/her sins.

Acts 2:38;Rev. 2:5,6,16,21,22.

d. Must turn away fromsin.

Romans 6:5,6;Matthew 3:7,8.

e. Must experience thenew birth.

2 Cor. 5:17

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15.In light of question 14, should infants be baptized?

• Answer:• No, they should

not be - except, in the (rare)

case of prodigies.

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• Note:Note: Since infants cannot comply with Since infants cannot comply with God’s requirements, no minister has a God’s requirements, no minister has a right to baptize them. Sin is not counted right to baptize them. Sin is not counted against a child until he is old enough to against a child until he is old enough to understand and be accountable understand and be accountable (John (John 9:41;James 4:17)9:41;James 4:17) at which time the at which time the youngster should prepare for baptism.youngster should prepare for baptism.

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Baptism and SalvationBaptism and Salvation

• 16.In Noah’s day people were saved 16.In Noah’s day people were saved by getting inside the ark. What by getting inside the ark. What does God provide for man today?does God provide for man today?

• 1 Peter 3:20,211 Peter 3:20,21• ““The like figure whereunto even The like figure whereunto even

baptism doth also now save us.”baptism doth also now save us.”

• Note: The ark in the water symbolized safety in Noah’s day, and a person in the waters of baptism symbolizes the same today. In both cases the heart must be right first. But a heart right without baptism is not enough anymore than a heart right in Noah’s day would have been enough without getting into the ark.

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17.Like marriage, whose name do we take at baptism? Gal. 3:27

• ““For as many of For as many of you as have been you as have been baptized into baptized into Christ have put Christ have put on Christ.”on Christ.”

• Note:Note: We take Christ’s name in baptism as a We take Christ’s name in baptism as a wife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is as wife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is as essential to a Christian as the wedding is to essential to a Christian as the wedding is to a marriage, Both ceremonies must be based a marriage, Both ceremonies must be based on deep-seated love and full understanding, on deep-seated love and full understanding, if they are to be meaningful. To refuse if they are to be meaningful. To refuse baptism is to refuse to take Christ’s name. baptism is to refuse to take Christ’s name. Baptism is a public declaration of our Baptism is a public declaration of our relationship to Jesus.relationship to Jesus.

Marriage cf Baptism

INTERVIEW!

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18.What is the experience of the person who is in Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17

• “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature.”

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19.How do we honor the death,burial and resurrection of Jesus? Rom.6:4-6

• By being baptized.

• Note: Salvation centers on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor.15:3,4). Baptism by immersion represents all three. There is death to sin, next, a burial of the old life of sin under the water. Then a resurrection from the water to an entirely new life. No other form of baptism fits this symbolism.

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20.What ceremony brings us into God’s true church? 1 Cor. 12:13

• ““For by For by one Spirit one Spirit we are all we are all baptized baptized into one into one body.”body.”

• Note:Note: Baptism is the official act which Baptism is the official act which makes one a member of Christ’s body. makes one a member of Christ’s body. His body is His churchHis body is His church (Col.1:18) (Col.1:18). Christ . Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance has made baptism the sign of entrance into His true church. into His true church.

God’s true church preach the three angels’ messages!

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21.Is rebaptism ever proper? 21.Is rebaptism ever proper? Acts 19:2-5Acts 19:2-5

• ““Unto what then Unto what then were ye baptized? were ye baptized? And they said, unto And they said, unto John’s baptism. John’s baptism. When they heard When they heard this they were this they were baptized in the baptized in the name of the Lord name of the Lord Jesus.”Jesus.”

• Note: Reasons for Rebaptism:Reasons for Rebaptism:• (1) If you were not baptized correctly the

first time, • (2) when major new light is received into

spiritual lives, • (3) those who go out into a life of (open)

disobedience and come back to the Lord and His church / want to be recommitted to the Lord, should consider rebaptism.

• **Many people today are rebaptized when they learn of the Sabbath truth and other important truths to which their lives must conform in order to please Jesus.

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Baptism Pleases JesusBaptism Pleases Jesus

• 22.Once a person meets Jesus’ 22.Once a person meets Jesus’ conditions for baptism, how soon conditions for baptism, how soon should he/she be baptized?should he/she be baptized?

• Acts 22:16Acts 22:16

• Answer: “…why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized…”

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23.When I refuse baptism who 23.When I refuse baptism who am I rejecting?am I rejecting? Luke 7:30 Luke 7:30

• Answer: • I am rejecting

the “counsel of God.”

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24.When Jesus was baptized, what did His heavenly Father say?

Mark 1:11 (Matt. 3:17)Mark 1:11 (Matt. 3:17)• “This is my

beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

Note: When Jesus was baptized it so

pleased God that He spoke openly;

likewise it pleases God when you and I are baptized today.

25. Is being like Jesus 25. Is being like Jesus very important to you?very important to you?

26. Is it important for you to be baptized the way Jesus was?

Do you want to be baptized as soon as possible?

• Given the fact that we are living in Given the fact that we are living in serious and dangerous timesserious and dangerous times (2 Tim. (2 Tim. 3:1)3:1),, the uncertainty of life and the the uncertainty of life and the

nearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucial nearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucial that we make the right decision.that we make the right decision.

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• Friends …Friends …• If you are born only If you are born only onceonce you will die you will die

twice.twice.• However, if you are born twice … you However, if you are born twice … you

only only mightmight die once! die once!• Note:Note: One must die to sin in order to be One must die to sin in order to be

really born again! (really born again! (Gal. 2:20Gal. 2:20))• Friends, baptism is very important, Friends, baptism is very important,

don’t put it off (don’t put it off (John 3:5John 3:5). Jesus is ). Jesus is coming soon.coming soon. I sincerely hope you will I sincerely hope you will make the right decisionmake the right decision.