SBS | 1st Quarter of 2024 | CPAD Adults | Theme: THE BODY OF CHRIST - Origin, Nature and Mission of the Church in the World | Sunday Bible School | Lesson 9 - Baptism – The First Ordinance of the Church Slides created by Celso Napoleon

1. March 3, 2024
Lesson 9
BAPTISM – THE FIRST ORDINANCE
OF THE CHURCH

2. GOLDEN TEXT
“Go therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt 28.19)

3. PRACTICAL TRUTH
Baptism is an ordinance of Jesus
Christ and, therefore, must be a
practice obeyed by the church.

4. DAILY READING
Second - Acts 16.33 A Christian practice
Tuesday - Mt 28.19 An ordinance of Jesus Christ
Wednesday - Mc 16.16 Baptism is for those who truly
believe in Christ
Thursday - Acts 2.38 Baptizing the truly converted
Friday - Col 2.12 Identified with Christ
Saturday - Acts 2.41 Public testimony of faith

5. BIBLE READING IN CLASS
Romans 6.1-11
1 - What shall we say, then? Will we remain in sin, so that
grace may be more abundant?
2 - Not at all! We who are dead to sin, how shall we still live in
it?
3-Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 - So we were buried with him through baptism into death;
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

6. 5 - For if we have been planted together with him in
the likeness of his death, we will also be planted
together in the likeness of his resurrection;
6 - knowing this, that our old man was crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, so that
we would no longer serve sin.
7 - For he who is dead is justified from sin.
8 - Now, if we have died with Christ, we believe that we
will also live with him;

7. 9 - knowing that, having risen from the dead, Christ
dies no more; death will no longer have dominion over
him.
10 - For as for his death, he died at once to sin; but as
for living, he lives for God.
11 - In the same way, consider yourselves as dead to sin,
but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

8. INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we will study an important Christian practice –
water baptism. We will see that the rite of Baptism was practiced
by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ and his apostles and, later, by the
Christians of the Primitive Church. It is a practice, therefore, of
great importance for the Church of Christ. However, like all
Christian doctrine, the practice of Baptism has also suffered
deviations throughout history, both in its purpose and in its form.
Therefore, it is necessary to let the Bible speak so that the correct
purpose for which this important practice was instituted is
observed. KEYWORD: Baptism

9. I – BIBLICAL-DOCTRINAL
PRESUMPTIONS OF BAPTISM
1. Baptism seen as a sacrament: the origin of an error. The Catholic
tradition and some segments of historic Protestantism view the practice
of baptism as a sacrament. The word “sacrament” comes from the
Latin sacramenntum, meaning a sacred sign capable of conferring grace
on those who participate in it. In this sense, Augustine (354-430 AD),
bishop of Hippo, who introduced this deviation into the church,
understood that baptism, as a sacrament, is a rite that transmits spiritual
grace regardless of the faith of those who practice it. This theological-
doctrinal understanding defines a sacrament as a visible sign of an
invisible grace. Thus, in the view of some Christian traditions, baptism
becomes necessary for salvation.

10. 2. Baptism is not a sacrament, but an ordinance of
Christ. The biblical teaching concerning Baptism is that it
is an ordinance and not a sacrament: “Go therefore and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”
(Mt 28:19) . There is, therefore, no magical power in
Baptism capable of transmitting grace for salvation. The
biblical teaching is that Baptism is an ordinance given by
Christ to those who have already been reached by grace,
and not to those who want to obtain some grace through
it.

11. 3. Baptism must be administered to adults. The same Augustine
who understood Baptism as a sacrament, also argued that babies,
because they were born with original sin, needed to be baptized to be
saved. In this case, Baptism should be administered to them to annul
original sin. Evidently, this understanding of the bishop of Hippo
goes against the teaching of Christ, who stated that children are part
of the Kingdom of God: “Jesus said, Let the little ones alone, do not
hinder them from coming to me, for it is of such the Kingdom of
heaven” (Mt 19:14). Therefore, there are no traces in the New
Testament of children being baptized, as our Lord said that Baptism
should be administered to those who believe (Mark 16:16). A child
who has not yet reached the age of reason does not have the maturity
to believe and make choices.

12. SYNOPSIS I
Baptism in water is an ordinance that
must be administered to adults.

13. II - THE SYMBOL AND PURPOSE OF
BAPTISM
1. Symbol of Baptism: Identification with Christ. Baptism by
immersion symbolizes the believer's union with Christ through his
death, burial and resurrection. This truth is affirmed by the apostle Paul
to the Christians who were in Rome (Rm 6.3-5). In this way, the apostle
shows that the act of emerging from the water, where he had been
submerged, accurately portrays the Christian's identification with the
resurrection of Christ. This same truth is affirmed in the Letter to the
Colossians: “Buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col
2:12). This symbolizes that the Christian has died to the old life and has
now entered the new life in Christ.

14. 2. The Purpose of Baptism: Public testimony of the Christian
faith. In the context of biblical faith, Baptism is a public profession
of faith. This means that the believer, when he descends into the
baptismal waters, is publicly testifying before the world of his new
life in Christ (Acts 2:41). Whoever applies for Baptism must be
convinced and aware of the faith he has embraced. Here, there is
no neutral territory (Col 2.6). Finally, baptism is for saved and
converted people who are willing to follow Jesus (Acts 8.12;
16.14,15).

15. 3. There is no room for indecision. Only undecided
Christians reject being baptized. Sometimes this happens due
to ignorance of the meaning of the act. Other times it is due
to a lack of conviction of faith. In the first case, sometimes
the believer understands that after being baptized he can no
longer commit any type of error. Although the Bible shows
that the believer must avoid sin (1 John 2:1), however,
Baptism cannot be seen as a vaccine that immunizes the
Christian against sin. This is overcome when we walk in the
Spirit (Gal 5.16). On the other hand, there are many who
reject Baptism precisely because of a lack of conversion.
They are aware of the implications that this rite brings and
are not willing to cut the umbilical cord with the world.

16. SYNOPSIS II
Baptism in water symbolizes
identification with Christ and public
testimony of faith.

17. III - THE FORMULA AND METHOD OF
BAPTISM
1. Trinitarian formula of Baptism. During the Great
Commission, Jesus instructed his disciples: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” (Mt 28:19). This is the
Trinitarian formula of Christian baptism. This is because this text
mentions the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy
Ghost. One God, three distinct people, with one essence. In the rite
of Baptism, therefore, Jesus' guidance must be followed by the
invocation of the names of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

18. 2. Heretical Formula of Baptism. Not all groups
within the Christian tradition follow the trinitarian
formula. There are groups that follow a type of modalist
doctrine. An example is unicism. This group baptizes its
members only in the name of Jesus. His biblical support
is sought in some texts in the book of Acts, where the
trinitarian practice is supposed to be denied (Acts 2.38;
19.5). It is worth saying that these texts do not deny the
trinitarian formula nor do they deny the Trinity. In fact,
what is said is that Baptism was done on the authority of
Jesus, that is, on what He did and taught.

19. 3. Immersion: the biblical method of Baptism. It should be
said that there are no traces of the practice of baptism by
sprinkling in the New Testament. This type of Baptism is
characterized by sprinkling water on the candidate. However,
the context of the New Testament clearly shows that Baptism
in biblical days was by immersion. The Greek word baptizo has
the meaning of “dipping” and “submerging” both in the Bible
and outside it. Several biblical texts show the biblical practice
of Baptism by immersion: the people went out to be baptized
by John in (in) the Jordan River (Mc 1.5); in the same way, when
he was baptized, Jesus “came out of the water” (Mc 1.10); John
baptized where there was plenty of water (John 3:23).

20. SYNOPSIS III
The trinitarian formula of Baptism
is: in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost.

21. CONCLUSION
We seek to address the most relevant issues concerning
water baptism. We show that, although it does not
attribute salvation to those who participate in it,
Baptism is, indeed, a practice that must be taken
seriously by every believer who wants to follow the
Words of Jesus. Through Baptism we identify with
Christ Jesus and make our profession of faith public.

22. REVIEWING THE CONTENT
1. Explain the meaning of the word “sacrament”.
The word “sacrament” comes from the Latin sacramenntum,
meaning a sacred sign capable of conferring grace on those
who participate in it.
2. According to the lesson, what is the biblical teaching on
Baptism?
The biblical teaching concerning Baptism is that it is an
ordinance and not a sacrament: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Mt 28:19) .

23. 3. O que o Batismo simboliza?
O Batismo por imersão simboliza a união do crente
com Cristo, por meio de sua morte, sepultamento e
ressurreição.
4. Qual é o propósito do Batismo?
No contexto da fé bíblica, o Batismo é uma pública
profissão de fé.
5. Quais são a fórmula e o método bíblico do Batismo?
A fórmula do batismo é trinitária: Em nome do Pai, do
Filho e do Espírito Santo; o método de batismo é por
imersão em águas.

24. REFERENCES
CPAD. O CORPO DE CRISTO - Origem, Natureza e Missão da Igreja
no Mundo. Rio de Janeiro: Casa Publicadora das Assembleias de Deus
(CPAD), 2024. (Lições Bíblicas, Adultos CPAD).
SOCIEDADE BÍBLICA DO BRASIL (org.). Bíblia De Estudo Plenitude
Revista E Atualizada. Barueri, SP: SBB, 2005.

25. Slides created by Celso Napoleon
SBS | 1st Quarter of 2024 | CPAD Adults | Theme: THE
BODY OF CHRIST - Origin, Nature and Mission of the
Church in the World | Sunday Bible School | Lesson 9 -
Baptism – The First Ordinance of the Church

26. LESSONS:
Lesson 1- The Origin of the church
Lesson 2 - Biblical Images of the Church
Lesson 3 - The Nature of the Church
Lesson 4 - The Church and the Kingdom of God
Lesson 5 - The Mission of the Church of Christ
Lesson 6 - Church: Organism and Organization
Lesson 7 - The Ministry of the Church
Lesson 8 - Discipline in the Church
Lesson 9 - Baptism – The First Ordinance of the Church
Lesson 10 - The Lord's Supper – The Second Ordinance of the Church
Lesson 11 - The Worship of the Christian Church
Lesson 12 - The Role of Preaching in Worship
Lesson 13 - The Power of God in the Mission of the Church