1) The document discusses baptism and how it provides an opportunity to start over with a clean slate, as referenced in the book of Revelation. It describes baptism as a public ceremony where the past is buried and a new life begins. 2) Baptism is commanded by Jesus and described as important for salvation. The Bible describes Jesus being baptized by immersion, and this is the form practiced by the early church. 3) Other forms of baptism like sprinkling were introduced later on by men but are not approved or referenced in the Bible. Baptism by immersion, as practiced in the early church, is considered the only true biblical form.

1. 1
• The Land of Beginning AgainThe Land of Beginning Again
• Lesson # 16Lesson # 16

2. 2
• 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.”

3. 3
• 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.

4. 4
• Did you know that Jesus has lovinglyDid you know that Jesus has lovingly
provided for us a public ceremony inprovided for us a public ceremony in
which the past is officially buried and awhich the past is officially buried and a
marvelous new life begins? Nothing in allmarvelous new life begins? Nothing in all
the world compares to this great eventthe world compares to this great event
for joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It isfor joy, satisfaction, peace and relief. It is
priceless!priceless!

5. 5
• Jesus says that this momentous andJesus says that this momentous and
meaningful experience is absolutelymeaningful experience is absolutely
imperative for any who would enter Hisimperative for any who would enter His
new kingdom. This magnificent event isnew kingdom. This magnificent event is
called BAPTISM. Let’s see what Jesuscalled BAPTISM. Let’s see what Jesus
says about this vital matter.says about this vital matter.

6. 6
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.”

7. 7
2.Is baptism important?2.Is baptism important?
Mark 16:16Mark 16:16
• ““He that believeth and isHe that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved, butbaptized shall be saved, but
he that believeth not shall behe that believeth not shall be
damned.”damned.”

8. 8
3.What are some forms of baptism3.What are some forms of baptism
used today?used today?
• a.Immersion (body submergedImmersion (body submerged
backwards in water)backwards in water)
• b.Triune immersion (body submergedTriune 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)

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

10. 10
• Note:Note: About 15 (or more) different ceremoniesAbout 15 (or more) different ceremonies
are called baptism today and people say, “whatare called baptism today and people say, “what
difference does it make?” We shall see that itdifference does it make?” We shall see that it
makes a real difference to God and we shouldmakes a real difference to God and we should
be anxious to follow His counsel.be anxious to follow His counsel.

11. 11
4.How many ways are there into4.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,
oneone
baptism.”baptism.”

12. 12
• Note: God recognizes only one true form
of baptism. All other forms are not really
baptism at all.

13. 13
5.What does the word5.What does the word
“baptize” mean?“baptize” mean?
• Answer:Answer:
• To immerse, toTo immerse, to
put underput under
water.water.

14. 14
• Note:
• “Baptize” comes from the Greek word
“baptizo”which means “to dip, submerge
or immerse.”

15. 15
Jesus Our Perfect Pattern
• 6.Who is my6.Who is my
perfect exampleperfect example
in everything,in everything,
includingincluding
baptism?baptism?
• 1 Peter 2:211 Peter 2:21
• Answer:Answer:
• Christ (Jesus).Christ (Jesus).

16. 16
7. How did John baptize Jesus?7. How did John baptize Jesus?
Mark 1:9-11Mark 1:9-11
• Jesus came upJesus came up
out ofout of thethe
water -water -
implying thatimplying that
He was putHe was put
down underdown under
the water.the water.

17. 17
8.What did Jesus tell John when8.What did Jesus tell John when
he first refused to baptize Him?he first refused to baptize Him?
Matt. 3:13-15
• ““To fulfilTo fulfil
• allall
righteousness.”righteousness.”

18. 18
• Note:Note:
• Jesus did not need baptism but HeJesus did not need baptism but He
knew that all of us would. So, to give usknew 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.

19. 19
9.Why did John baptize in9.Why did John baptize in
Aenon?Aenon? John 3:23John 3:23
• ““Because there wasBecause there was
much water there.”much water there.”

20. 20
10.What did Paul say about those10.What did Paul say about those
who teach contrary to scripture?who teach contrary to scripture?
Gal. 1:11,12,8,9
• ““Let him beLet him be
accursed.”accursed.”

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

22. 22
11.How did Phillip baptize the11.How did Phillip baptize the
Ethiopian treasurer?Ethiopian treasurer? Acts 8:27-39
• Answer:Answer:
• By immersionBy immersion..

23. • Note:Note:
• Phillip baptizedPhillip baptized
the treasurer thethe treasurer the
same way thatsame way that
Jesus wasJesus was
baptized.baptized.

24. 24
Baptism isBaptism is
ImportantImportant
• 12.According to Jesus, how12.According to Jesus, how
important is baptism?important is baptism? John 3:5John 3:5
• ““Unless a man be born of waterUnless a man be born of water
and of the spirit, he cannot enterand of the spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.”into the kingdom of God.”

25. 25
• Note:Note: Jesus said Christian baptism is an importantJesus 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, isJesus’ cross, which is supremely important, is
mentionedmentioned 2828 times in the New Testament. On thetimes in the New Testament. On the
other hand, baptism is mentioned overother hand, baptism is mentioned over 100100 times.times.

26. 26
13.Where did other forms of13.Where did other forms of
baptism come from?baptism come from? Matt. 15:9Matt. 15:9
• Jesus said, “inJesus said, “in
vain do theyvain do they
worship me,worship me,
teaching forteaching for
doctrines thedoctrines the
commandmentscommandments
of men.”of men.”
The Bible and the
Bible only!

27. 27
• Note:Note:
• Misguided men have introduced theseMisguided men have introduced these
other forms of baptism with noother forms of baptism with no
approval from Heaven. History isapproval from Heaven. History is
clear that for centuries after the cross,clear that for centuries after the cross,
baptism by immersion was the onlybaptism by immersion was the only
form of baptism. Other forms ofform of baptism. Other forms of
baptism were added because theybaptism were added because they
were more convenient. Thus, a God-were more convenient. Thus, a God-
given, sacred ceremony has beengiven, sacred ceremony has been
shoved aside by human hands.shoved aside by human hands.

28. 28
Baptism by immersion was practiced by
all the churches for several centuries!

29. 29

30. 30
All the churches were built withAll the churches were built with
a (usually large) baptistry!a (usually large) baptistry!

31. 31

33. 33
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.”

34. 34
According to the Bible, before baptism aAccording 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 these
teachings with all
his/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 from
sin.
Romans 6:5,6;
Matthew 3:7,8.
e. Must experience the
new birth.
2 Cor. 5:17

35. 35
15.In light of question 14, should
infants be baptized?
• Answer:
• No, they should
not be - except,
in the (rare) case
of prodigies.

36. 36
• Note:Note: Since infants cannot comply withSince infants cannot comply with
God’s requirements, no minister has aGod’s requirements, no minister has a
right to baptize them. Sin is not countedright to baptize them. Sin is not counted
against a child until he is old enough toagainst a child until he is old enough to
understand and be accountableunderstand and be accountable (John(John
9:41;James 4:17)9:41;James 4:17) at which time theat which time the
youngster should prepare for baptism.youngster should prepare for baptism.

37. 37
Baptism and SalvationBaptism and Salvation
• 16.In Noah’s day people were saved16.In Noah’s day people were saved
by getting inside the ark. What doesby getting inside the ark. What does
God provide for man today?God provide for man today?
• 1 Peter 3:20,211 Peter 3:20,21
• ““The like figure whereunto evenThe like figure whereunto even
baptism doth also now save us.”baptism doth also now save us.”

38. • 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.

39. 39
17.Like marriage, whose name do
we take at baptism? Gal. 3:27
• ““For as many ofFor as many of
you as have beenyou as have been
baptized intobaptized into
Christ have putChrist have put
on Christ.”on Christ.”

40. • Note:Note: We take Christ’s name in baptism as aWe take Christ’s name in baptism as a
wife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is aswife accepts her husband’s. Baptism is as
essential to a Christian as the wedding is toessential to a Christian as the wedding is to
a marriage, Both ceremonies must be baseda 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 refuseif 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 ourBaptism is a public declaration of our
relationship to Jesus.relationship to Jesus.
Marriage cf
Baptism
INTERVIEW!INTERVIEW!

41. 41
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.”

42. 42
19.How do we honor the death,burial
and resurrection of Jesus? Rom.6:4-6
• By being
baptized.

43. • 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.

44. 44
20.What ceremony brings us into
God’s true church? 1 Cor. 12:13
• ““For byFor by
one Spiritone Spirit
we are allwe are all
baptizedbaptized
into oneinto one
body.”body.”

45. • Note:Note: Baptism is the official act whichBaptism 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 entrancehas made baptism the sign of entrance
into His true church.into His true church.
God’s true church preach the three angels’ messages!

46. 46
21.Is rebaptism ever proper?21.Is rebaptism ever proper?
Acts 19:2-5Acts 19:2-5
• ““Unto what thenUnto what then
were ye baptized?were ye baptized?
And they said, untoAnd they said, unto
John’s baptism.John’s baptism.
When they heardWhen they heard
this they werethis they were
baptized in thebaptized in the
name of the Lordname of the Lord
Jesus.”Jesus.”

47. • 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.

48. • **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.

49. 49
Baptism Pleases JesusBaptism Pleases Jesus
• 22.Once a person meets Jesus’22.Once a person meets Jesus’
conditions for baptism, how soonconditions 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…”

50. 50
23.When I refuse baptism who23.When I refuse baptism who
am I rejecting?am I rejecting? Luke 7:30Luke 7:30
• Answer:
• I am rejecting
the “counsel of
God.”

51. 51
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.”

52. Note: When Jesus
was baptized it so
pleased God that He
spoke openly;
likewise it pleases
God when you and I
are baptized today.

53. 25. Is being like Jesus25. Is being like Jesus
very important to you?very important to you?

54. 26. Is it important for you to be
baptized the way Jesus was?
Do you want to be baptized as
soon as possible?

55. • Given the fact that we are living inGiven 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 thethe uncertainty of life and the
nearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucialnearness of Jesus’ coming …. it is crucial
that we make the right decision.that we make the right decision.

56. 56
• Friends …Friends …
• If you are born onlyIf you are born only onceonce you will dieyou will die
twice.twice.
• However, if you are born twice … youHowever, if you are born twice … you
onlyonly mightmight die once!die once!
• Note:Note: One must die to sin in order to beOne 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 willI sincerely hope you will
make the right decisionmake the right decision.