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By Pastor Fred Patterson
Oracle Church of Christ
Special to the Crier
The Bible identifies two kinds of baptism. The first, as practiced by John the Baptist, was for the Jews as a sign of repentance. See Matthew 3:1-6 and Mark 1, 1-8. The second, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:16 and in Mark 16:16, was a step towards salvation for both the Jews and Gentiles (foreigners, non Jews).
Preaching before a large crowd on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Paul was asked what the people needed to do to be saved. (Acts 2:37, 38) Peter said to them “repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Writing to the believers in Corinth, Paul said anyone in Christ is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). To those in Galatia he said “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
Both baptisms recounted in the Bible were by immersion, not by sprinkling or pouring. All baptized had reached the age of accountability; there are no examples of infant baptism.
For Bible-centered study and worship, please join us at 10 a.m. each Sunday at the Oracle Church of Christ, 2425 El Paseo.
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