The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-05-16
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
BAPTISM
By HIGHT {. MOORE

that rs . learner in the school of
Christ. t2J BE listening disciple.
The word therefore" refers to
the imperial words which imme-
diateIy precede. CD Be mission
airy disciple. "Go ye." (4) Be an
evaEgeliStic disciple, go We
( therefore and make disciples. "
J go Be 4 cosmopolitan disciple.
Win to Christ "all nations y
Your skyline ovcrswcepS the
world. CO. Be an enlisted disciple.
Win to Christ first; then to the
path of duty. Baptism is an act
Of obedience. On Be an intelli-
gent disciple. The enlisted need
to be enlightened. You cannot
have efficiency without intelli-
gence. go Be an obedient dis
ciple. Observe all things whatso-
ever | commanded you" (9) BE
a guided disciple. 81 am with you
always" O0D Be Il persevering
disciple. "even unto the end of
the world"
2. BAPTISM PERFORMED
(Acts 81
The Act of Baptism is clearly
pictured in the story of Philip
and the Ethiopian. Cd See the
candidate for baptism: He search
ed the Scriptures for himself: he
inquired of Philip as to the mean
ing Of the prophecy he read; he
atteutively heard and joyfully ac-
cepted the truth that was preach
ed unto him; he desired to be
baptized at once; ne made his
profession of faith; he was hap
tized. he went on his way reJolc'
ing. (2) Observe the man who
performed the ordinance: He was
ready to help an inquirer; he eX-
pounded the truth; he led his au-
ditor to Christ and to the path
of obedience; ne baptized the new
convert; he left the Ethiopian
with Joy in his heart and the BIZ
bic in his hand: and he went on
TO do his blessed work elsewhere.
(3) Witness the administration
of the ordinance: Philip and the
Ethiopian alighted from the char
lot in which they were riding and
.conversing. when they reached "a
certain water; then they both
went down into the water, both
! Philip and the eunuch"; there che
! baptized him: and finally "they
came up out of the water" and
were separated from each other
That was an example of New Tes-
lament baptism and it is the bap-
ticm for New Testament churches
today.
BELIEVE AND BE BAPTIZED
CD Authority for Baptism.
I Christ commands it. No church
has right to change it, No Chris
tian has right to cancel it. To dis
regard it, is to disobey. 1t is not
optional but mandatory. ,r.
on Administrator of Baptism.
, Christ commissioned the baptized
Apostles to baptize and he COM
Imitted the ordinance to the
churches composed of baptized
believers. The Ethiopian was bapr
tized by Philip, the evangelist
and missionary. f, -,
CD Subjects for Baptism. Ac-
cording to the Commission none
but disciples are to be baptized
[ The Ethiopian profeSSed faith be
} fore Philip led him down into the
! baptismal waters. Belief comes
before baptism; and baptism
ought TO come after belief.
(4 Application for Baptism
How eager the converted Ethop
ian was to be baptized! He be
| heved in Christ with all his heart
he realized that baptism was al
immediate and imperative duty
He was accompanied by preach
er and there was abundant waite
for the baptism. What, indeed
Twas there to hinder?
N5) Act OF Baptism. The Wort
in the Great Commission had bu
one meaning on the lips of tn
Lord. The description of the Eth
iopian'S baptism pictures but
single mode. Bible baptism is in
mersion and immersion only.
(6) Allegiance in Baptism
Through baptism the believer el
tiers Visibly into the ranks OF I'll
spiritual Israel He thus takes,
to speak, his oath of aIlegianS
to the Triune God.
Cd Symbolism of Baptisr
This solemn and striking orc
nance sets forth a triple deaf
burial and Resurrection: First,
the believers Saviour then Of 4
believers spirit; and finally,
, the believers body.
10Y uappinacS in RantiSn, W.