Baptism Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Understand the spiritual meaning of baptism and what it represents for those who accept Jesus. (Romans 6:3-5)

   Answer: Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self (immersion = the burial of Christ) and rising again to a new life (coming out of the water = the resurrection). Romans 6:3-5 shows that when you are baptized, you publicly identify with Jesus, receive forgiveness of sins, and begin to live by faith as a new creature redeemed in Christ. — The Greek verb baptizo means "to immerse"; Romans 6 directly connects baptism with the death and resurrection of Christ; it is a public declaration of faith and the beginning of the Christian walk, according to Ellen White in "The Desire of Ages" ch. 11; Adventists baptize by full immersion, the only biblical mode of baptism according to official theology.

2. Know what the essential requirement is for someone to be baptized. (Mark 16:16)

   Answer: Mark 16:16 says: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned." The essential requirement is faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Without true faith, baptism becomes merely a bath of water with no spiritual effect. Believing involves accepting Jesus, repenting, and deciding to follow him wholeheartedly every day. — The order in Mark 16:16 is "believe" before "be baptized" — faith is a prerequisite; this excludes infant baptism (a child does not yet have the capacity to consciously believe); Adventism strictly follows this biblical principle — the basis of adult baptism by immersion according to Ellen White in "The Acts of the Apostles" chapter 5, currently in effect.

3. Define another important requirement for baptism, according to the Bible. (Acts 2:38)

   Answer: Acts 2:38 says: "Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." The other important requirement is sincere repentance from sin. It is recognizing the wrong, grieving from the heart, abandoning the sinful life, and turning to God in humility and true personal faith. — Repentance (Greek metanoia) means "a change of mind" and produces a change of behavior; it is the basis of all Christian conversion according to Ellen White in "Steps to Christ" ch. 4; repentance without baptism is incomplete, baptism without repentance is empty — a classic Adventist theological principle of the biblical system of faith in effect today.

4. Explain what the baptized person should do after giving their life to Jesus. (Matthew 28:19-20)

   Answer: Matthew 28:19-20 commands: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." After baptism, you should live as a disciple, study the Bible daily, pray, attend church, witness about Jesus to other people, and help make new disciples. — This is the Great Commission; baptism is a beginning, not an end — it begins the discipleship life; Ellen White in "The Desire of Ages" ch. 87 emphasizes witnessing as the duty of every baptized Christian; Seventh-day Adventism has a missionary network in more than 215 countries fulfilling this command of the Savior throughout the whole world, in effect.

5. Understand what is necessary for a baptism to be carried out, according to the Bible. (Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)

   Answer: The texts show that for baptism it is necessary: plenty of water (John 3:23 — Aenon "had much water there"); full immersion (Matthew 3:6 and Acts 8:39 — "they came up out of the water"); confession of sins (Matthew 3:6); and the personal faith of the candidate. The candidate and the officiant go down into the water, and the person is fully submerged. — The Greek word baptizo literally means "to immerse" — not to sprinkle; Acts 8:38-39 shows Philip and the eunuch going down into the water and coming up out of it; it is the basis of Adventist baptism by immersion, contrary to the Catholic one (sprinkling); Ellen White in "The Acts of the Apostles" ch. 5 establishes this biblical principle in effect today.

6. Memorize and recite Matthew 3:16-17.

   Answer: Matthew 3:16-17: "And when Jesus was baptized, he came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." It is the account of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. — This is the only biblical event where the Trinity appears simultaneously: the Father (the voice), the Son (Jesus in the water), and the Holy Spirit (the dove); the baptism of Jesus took place around AD 27, fulfilling the prophecy of the 70 weeks in Daniel 9:25; it is considered the beginning of Christ's public ministry, according to Ellen White, in effect today.

7. Share with a friend about the importance of baptism and invite them to make this decision. (Acts 22:16)

   Answer: Acts 22:16 says: "Why do you wait? Get up, be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." You should share with a friend the meaning of baptism (the death of the old self, new life in Christ, the forgiveness of sins) and personally invite them to accept Jesus and make this decision this very day, without delay. — Acts 22:16 shows the urgency of baptism — Paul is instructed not to delay; personal witness is the most effective method of evangelism according to Barna Group studies (2018) that show 56% of new Christians came through the witness of close friends and family members who were close in the personal Adventist faith, in effect.