The Brinkley argus., 1919-07-11
LESSON FOR JULY B
BAPTISM.

' LESSON TEXTs-Matt. 2s:1s-2o. Acts
 sS4-40.
 GOLDEN TEXT-For as many of you
 as have been baptized into Christ have put on Chrst.-Gal 3;27 ! ADDITIONAL MATERIAI4-Matt. 3l3-
 r; Acts 2:S7, 28; 191-7; Coi. PIP; Peter
 3:is-21.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Christ Bap- tized by John.
 i JUNIOR TOPIC-The Baptism of Jesus Christ
 l INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-The Pledge of Christian Discipleship,
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Signif- canoe and Importance of Christian Bap- tism
 I. The Apostles Commission (Matt. 2S:1S-2O).
 l. The authority of Jesus tv. 1S). God gave him all authority in heaven and on earth. As mediator and coming king he possessed all authority. This authority extends over all the ma terial world, angels. wicked men, dew ! ils, and his own people. God highly exalted him and gave him name
 which is above every name (Phil. 2:9). There is no other way of sal vation, for the entire matter of re- demption is in his hands (Acts 4:12). Since God has so highly honored him it is extreme folly to expect to be saved while disregarding him.
 9 The obligation of the apostles l (vv. 1920.
 CD It was to teach, that is, make Il. Al. 11T q, {xr They were to make known to the whole world that Christ had died to save sin
 ners and that God had committed to Jesus the redemption of the world. Those who are Christ's disciples are bound to proclaim him to others. (2) Baptize those who believe (v. 19). This is the divinely appointed way of making a public confession of faith in Christ. The disciples must publicly take 5 stand for Christ. The application Of water symboliZes the 1 purifying effect of the blood of Christ and soleBnly dedicates to the service 0f God This baptism must be in the name of the Father, Son and Holy l Ghost, showing that the believer has l been brought into definite relationship to each member of the Holy Trinity (3) Teach the disciples obedience | (v 20). Profession is not enough, it must issue in obedience. Faith must result in works. To call Jesus Lora" and do not the things which he says profits nothing.
 3. The aIl-sufcient promise (v. 20). The Lord had told the disciples what would happen to them after he had gone away. He made it plain that perils of all kinds awaited them. Though the difficulties were great noth- ing mattered so long as they had the presence and fellowship of the all- powerful Savior and Lord
 IT, The Baptism of the Eunuch | Acts S:34-40)
 l. Philip preached Jesus Christ to i him (v 35). At the invitation of the eunuch Philip joined himself to the chariot and found the eunuch reading from the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. Beginning with this Scripture he preached Christ. He did not preach Christ as great teacher, but as a savior who had suffered and died in- stead of the sinner He preached him as one who had offered himself as a ransom for many. The fact that the eunuch, great statesman, needed an interpreter of the Scriptures, even such a plain passage as the fifty-third chap | tel of Isaiah, shows the absolute need 1 n 0 valuable. but there will always be the need of preacher. The gospel needs to be experienced before one can be T witness of its saving power.
 ?. The eunuch requesting baptism (v 36)
 When Christ Is truly preached men naturally desire to confess him In bap- tism. In many quarters baptism has been unduly emphasized. but in others It has been disregarded It is highly important that an intelligent under standing of it's meaning be possessed; | for that of which Jesus Christ gave an 1 example and a command is highly im- portant.
 2. Philip baptizing the eunuch (v. 3S). Having secured from the eunuch l the proper confession Philip baptized
 him. It is faith ln Christ that saves, but those who have genuine faith de- sire to seal it in baptism.
 4. The eunuch rejoicing (v. 39).
 Confession of Christ brings joy. Those
 who obey the commandments of the
 Lord can go on their way rejoicing.
 Jesus Saves.