The Elbert County tribune., 1919-07-11
LESSON FOR JULY 1a
BAPTISM.

|
LESSON TEx,rs-Matt. ans-.o; Acts
s:34-4o
GOLDEN TExT-For as many OF you
as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ.-Gai 3:ZT.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI~-Matt s.1s-
s.ls-n
PRIMARY ToPIc-Jesus Christ Bap-
4 uzed by John.
JUNIOR TOPIC-rbe Baptism Of Jesas
Christ
INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-Ths Pledge
OF Christian Disciplexhip.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIc-sirnin.
cancs and Importance Of Christian Bap-
tism.
!. The Aposties' Commission Matt
IS 1920.
| l. The authority OF Jesus ". 1S). God
gave him all authority In heaven and
on earth. As mediator and coming
king he possessed all authority. This
authority extends over ail the ma
teriai world. angels. wicked men. dew
lis, 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
walton, for the entire matter of re-
demption Is In his hands (Acts :12).
Since God has so highly honored him
1t is extreme folly to expect to be
saved while dlsregarding him.
2. The obligation of the apostles
tvv. 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 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 a stand for Christ. The
application of water symbolizes the
purifying effect Of the blood of Christ
and sole:nnly 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, IL
mpst issue in obedience. Faith must
result in works. To call Jesus Lord"
ana 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 1t 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).
| /. Philip preached Jesus Christ to
him ". 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-thlrd chap
tel Of Isaiah. shows the absolute need
OF preacher. The printed page is
valuable, but there win always be the
need Of preacher. The gospel needs
to be experienced before one can be
n 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 It's meaning be possessed /;
for that of which Jesus Christ gave an
example and command Is highly i'm
portant.
8. Philip baptizing the eunuch ".
38). 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 1t In baptism.
| 4. The eunuch rejoicing ". 39).
Confession OF Christ brings joy. Those
who obey the Commandments Of the
Lord can go on their way rejoicing.
| Jesus Saves.