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A Heavenly
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A River of Life
Naaman
was a brave, rich, and famous commander for the armies of Syria who
contracted leprosy, the most dreaded disease of Bible times. Leprosy
meant isolation from loved ones and a slow, wretched death. A Hebrew
slave girl who worked in Naaman's house said that if her master would
only go to the prophet Elisha in Israel, he would heal Naaman of his
leprosy.
Willing to grasp at any thread of hope, Naaman made the long trip to
Israel. With him was a small band of personal bodyguards and a king's
ransom to pay for this miracle of healing. When Naaman finally stood
before the humble house of the prophet, Elisha would not come out.
Instead, he sent his servant with these simple instructions: "Go and
wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and
thou shalt be clean." 2 Kings 5:10.
The prophet's command to wash implied that Naaman was dirty! Being told
to wash seven times--and in a muddy river, no less--was too much for the
proud Syrian general. In a rage, Naaman spun his horse around and began
riding home. But in order to reach Damascus, Naaman had to ride by the
Jordan River. As he passed by, Naaman's servants urged him to try the
prophet's advice. So he stopped his horse, slid down, and laid aside the
armor that covered the awful evidence of his leprosy. Naaman slowly
stepped down into the waters of the Jordan. Six times he plunged under
the water with no results, but when he came up the seventh time, the
leprosy was gone! His skin was as pure and healthy as a baby's.
Just as Naaman experienced restoration, you too can have a healing
new-birth experience! |
 1. What
New Testament prophet used the Jordan River for baptizing, or
cleansing?
Matthew
3:1, 5, 6 . In those days came ________ the baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea. ... Then went out to him
Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, And
were baptized of him in Jordan.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
Gospel stories begin and end with the subject of baptism. Obviously
this is a very important teaching to Jesus (Matthew 28:18, 19).
 2. What
glorious Bible ceremony symbolizes a "washing" from the leprosy of
sin?
Acts 22:16
. Arise, and be ___________, and wash away thy sins, calling on the
name of the Lord.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
Bible ordinance of baptism symbolizes the washing away of sin from a
person's life, as well as the new birth.
 3. According
to the Bible, how many different kinds of baptism are acceptable?
Ephesians
4:5 . One Lord, one faith, ____ baptism.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: At
least 15 different ceremonies are called baptism today, but according
to the Bible, there is only one true baptism.
 4. What
does the word "baptize" mean?
Colossians
2:12 . __________ with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen
with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
him from the dead.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
Greek word "baptizo" means "submerge," "plunge under," or "immerse." A
person has not been baptized unless he has been completely submerged,
or buried, in water. This word "baptizo" is always used in the Bible
in reference to the sacred ordinance of baptism. The Greek words for
"sprinkling" or "pouring" are never used.
 5. Jesus
is our example. How was He baptized?
Mark 1:9,
10 . Jesus came ... and was baptized of John in Jordan. And
straightway coming up ____ of the water, he saw the heavens
opened.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: John
baptized Jesus by immersion in the same river where Naaman was
cleansed from leprosy. Note that they were "in" Jordan (not on the
riverbank) and that Jesus came "up out" of the water. This is why John
was baptizing in "Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water
there" John 3:23. Christians are to follow the example of Jesus (1
Peter 2:21), who was baptized by immersion "to fulfil all
righteousness." Matthew 3:15.
 6. How
did Philip baptize the treasurer of Ethiopia?
Acts 8:38,
39 . They went down both into the water, both Philip and the
eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come __ out of
the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip.
Answer:
___________________________
 7. What
other truths are symbolized by baptism?
Romans 6:4
. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was ____________ up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Baptism
symbolizes Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. There is first
death to sin, then burial of the old life of sin in the water, and
finally resurrection from the water to a new life. Baptism by
immersion fits the symbolism perfectly. The life of sin dies, then
there is brief suspension of breath while the person being baptized is
leaned backward into the water until the body is fully covered, or
buried, in the water. Then the person is raised up out of the water,
taking a fresh breath as a newborn baby, to live an entirely new life,
symbolizing the resurrection. No other form of baptism fits this Bible
symbolism. Some say they keep Sunday holy in honor of the
resurrection, but this practice is never mentioned in the Bible.
 8. How
important is baptism?
Mark 16:16
. He that believeth and is baptized shall be _______; but he that
believeth not shall be damned [lost].
John 3:5 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
can not enter into the kingdom of God.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Baptism
is clearly mandated by Scripture as essential. However, when baptism
is impossible, as it was for the thief on the cross, Jesus gives that
person credit for His baptism (Matthew 3:15).
 9. What
blessed ceremony can be compared to baptism?
Galatians
3:27 . For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have
_____ on Christ.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Baptism
is like the marriage ceremony. The Bible says, "For thy Maker is thine
husband; the Lord of hosts is his name." Isaiah 54:5. As a woman takes
her husband's name in marriage, so Christians take the name of
Christ--thereafter to be called Christians. Both ceremonies must be
based on love and commitment if they are to be meaningful. Baptism is
as essential to the Christian life as a wedding is to a marriage.
 10. What
command did Jesus give to His people just before His ascension?
Matthew
28:19 . Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, _________ them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Peter
followed this command when on the day of Pentecost he told the
penitent people, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ." Acts 2:38.
 11. What
biblical qualifications must precede baptism?
Acts 2:38
. Then Peter said unto them, _______ , 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.
A. Understand Jesus' teachings (Matthew 28:19, 20)
B. Believe all of Jesus' teachings (Mark 16:16)
C. Repent of past sins (Acts 2:38)
D. Believe with all your heart (Acts 8:37)
E. Agree to turn from sin (Luke 3:7, 8; Romans 6:5, 6)
F. Accept Christ as your personal Saviour and experience the new birth
(2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:3, 5)
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Since
an infant cannot comply with any of the above steps, obviously it is
not scriptural to baptize a child until he is old enough to comprehend
the gospel.
 12. Where
did all of the counterfeit forms of baptism originate?
Mark 7:8
. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the _________ of
men.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: Baptism
by immersion was the only form of baptism practiced during Bible times
and for centuries after the cross. But then, misguided men introduced
other forms of baptism for the sake of convenience. Thus, God's sacred
ordinance of baptism was distorted and its rich symbolic meaning
obscured.
 13. What
does the Bible say about those who put the teachings of men before the
truth of God?
Matthew
15:9 . But in ______ they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed.
Answer:
___________________________
 14. But
doesn't the baptism of the Holy Spirit replace baptism by immersion?
Acts 2:38
. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be ___________ 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.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: No!
Notice that while Peter was preaching (Acts 10:44-48), the Holy Spirit
fell upon all who were listening, many of whom had not been baptized.
But even though they had already received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit, Peter insisted that they be baptized in water as well.
 15. Is
rebaptism ever proper?
Acts 19:2-5
. They said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be
any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye
baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John
verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the
people, that they should believe on him which should come after him,
that is, on Christ Jesus. When they ________ this, they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: One
day when Paul was preaching in Ephesus, he found 12 men who had been
baptized by John the Baptist, but who had never heard of the Holy
Spirit. So upon receiving this substantial new light, they were
rebaptized. Likewise, if a person has completely lost his Christian
experience, he should be rebaptized upon returning to the Lord.
Rebaptism is also appropriate if a person was not baptized in the
biblical method.
 16. Is
baptism connected with joining a church?
Acts 2:41
. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were ________ unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Colossians 3:15 Ye are called in one body.
Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church...
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: The
Scriptures are unequivocal. All of God's people are called into one
body, which is the church, and we enter it by baptism. After birth, a
baby must be placed in a family for nurturing, protection, and growth.
 17. If
I refuse baptism, whose counsel am I refusing?
Luke 7:30
. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of
______ against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Answer:
___________________________
 18. When
Jesus was baptized, what did His Father say?
Mark 1:9,
11 . And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from
Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. ... And there
came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I
am well ___________.
Answer:
___________________________
Note: When
any of God's children repent of their sins and are baptized, He is
well pleased.
 19. Would
you like to begin preparing for the sacred rite of baptism so God can
say of you, "Thou art my beloved son [or daughter], in whom I am well
pleased"?
.
Answer:
___________________________
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