The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-07-11
IMPROVED UNlroRM INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSQ10OL
LESSON
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER. d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper UnionJ
LESSON FOR JULY 13
BAPTISM.

LESSON INAIS-Matt. ZSlS-zO; Acts
s:34-4O
GOLDEN TExT-For as many of you
as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ.-Gal S:N
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Matt. Sis
II; Acts 2:37. IS: 1917: Col ZIP: Peter
3:ls-N
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Christ Bap-
tized by John.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Baptism of Jesus
Christ.
INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-Ths Pledge
of Christian Discipleship.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-signin-
cnncs and Importance of Christian Bap-
tism.
I. The ApostIes' Commission Matt
2s:1S2O).
l. The authority Of Jesus. ". 18). 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
lis, and his own people. God highly
exalted him and gave him a name
which is above every name (Phil.
2:9). There is no other way of sal
walton, for the entire matter Of re-
demption is in his hands (Acts 4 :12).
Since God has so highly honored him
1t is extreme folly to expect to be
saved while disregarding him.
2. The obligation of the apostles
wv. 1920.
Q) 1t was to teach. that is, make
disciples of all the nations ". 19).
They were to make known to the whole
world that Christ had died to save sim
hot God had oil f0
Jesus the redemption of the world.
Those who are Christ's disciples are
bound to proclaim him to others.
(2) Baptize those who believe ".
19). This is the divinely appointed
way of making a public confession Of
faith in Christ The disciples must
publicly take a stand for Christ. The
application of water symbolizes the
purifying effect of the blood of Christ
and solemnly dedicates to the service
of God. This baptism must be in the
name of the Father. Son and Holy
Ghost, showing that the believer has
been brought into definite relationship
to each member Of the Holy Trinity.
| (3) Teach the disciples obedience
| ". 20). Profession is not enough, It
must issue in obedience. Faith must
result in works. To call Jesus Lord"
and do not the things which he says
profits nothing.
3. The all-sufficient promise ". 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 moth.
ing mattered so long as they had the
presence and fellowship of the all
powerful Savior and Lord.
II. The Baptism Of the Eunuch
(Acts s :34-40).
1. Philip preached Jesus Christ to
him ". So. AT the invitation of the
eunuch Philip Joined himself to the
chariot and found the eunueh reading
from the fffty-third chapter of Isaiah.
| Beginning with this Scripture he
preached Christ. He did not preach
Christ as a great teacher, but as
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
ter of Isaiah, shows the absolute need
| Of a preacher. The printed page is
valuable but there will always be the
need of a preacher. The gospel needs
to be experienced before one can be
witness of its saving power.
2. The eunuch requesting baptism
". 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
| 1t has been disregarded. 1t is highly
important that an intelligent under
standing of its meaning be possessed;
for that of which Jesus Christ gave an
example and a commgnd is highly i'm
portant.
3. Philip baptizing the eunuch ".
3S). Having secured from the eunuch
the proper confession Philip baptized
him. 1t is faith in Christ that saves.
but those who have genuine faith de
sire to seal it in baptism.
A. The eunuch rejoicing ". 39).
Confession of Christ brings joy. Those
who obey the commandments of the
Lord can go on their way rejoicing.