A. Question: Is water baptism a commandment?
1. John 3:1-7 " Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again "

B. How important is water baptism?
1. 1st. Peter 3:18-22 " Baptism doth also now save us "
2. Mat. 3:1-17 Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

C. Question: Did Jesus command his apostles to go and baptize?
1. Mat. 28:16-20 " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations "
2. Mark 16:14-20 " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel "
3. Luke 24:36-53 " And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name "
4. John 20:19-31 " As my father hath sent me, even so I send you "

D. Question: When and where was this command fulfilled?
1. Acts 2:1-47 The day of pentecost . " Then Peter said unto them, 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 "

E. Question: Did the gentiles ever receive this same commandment of water baptism?
1. Acts 10:1-48 The house of Cornelius. The first gentile family to receive this commandment.

F. Question: Why must water baptism be performed in Jesus name?
1 Acts 2:38 For the remission of sins.
2. Acts 22:1-16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins...
3. Water does not wash away sins, but it is in the water that we get the blood applied to our life.

G. Question: Is infant baptism biblical? There are no scriptural references to infant baptism.

H. There is historical proof that the early church baptized in Jesus name
1. Britannica Encyclopedia: 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365- Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son & Holy Ghost in the 2nd Century.
2. Canney Encyclopedia of Religion: page 53 - The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
3. Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion: Volume 2 - Christian baptism was administered using the words, " in the name of Jesus " page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until the time of Justin Martyr, page 369.
4. Catholic Encyclopedia: Volume 2, page 263 - Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.
5 Schaff - Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Volume 1, page 435 - The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.

A. Question: Is water baptism a commandment? Yes …
1. John 3:1-7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.

B. Question: Did Jesus every specifically command his apostles to baptize? Yes
1. Matt. 28:16-20 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name …
2. Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

C. Question: What is the purpose of water baptism? To wash away sins.
1. Acts 22:1-16 … arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

D. Question: Does water wash away sins? No …
1. Eph. 1:5-7 … through his blood the forgiveness of sins.
2. Romans 5:7-11 … we have now received the atonement.

E. Question: Why then is water baptism necessary? It is in water baptism, in his name, that we receive the blood ( remission of sins ).
1. Acts 10:43-48 … that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
2. 1 John 5:8 … the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood.

F. Question: When is baptism necessary? There are three biblical reasons to be baptized.
1. First: At conversion, after repentance.
a. Acts 2:37-42 Men and brethren what shall we do …

2. Second: Backsliders need to be re-baptized.
a. Rev. 1-5 … repent, and do the first works.

3. Third: If anyone has been baptized using the wrong formula, such as the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

G. Question: Is baptism necessary everytime we sin? No … After someone becomes born again, the remedy for sin is repentance not water baptism.
H. Question: Is it wrong to get baptized for conscience sake? No … however it is not necessary.
1. 1st Peter 3:21 Explain … but the answer of a good conscience toward God.