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Bro. Turner:
 How
much and what must one know to be scripturally baptized? Could
it be learned in one sermon, as in Acts 2?
Reply:
"Scripturally
baptized" must be accepted as meaning baptized in the way
taught and exemplified in the New Testament, and I proceed on
that basis.
The
record of Acts 2: describes "devout" Jews, i.e.,
zealous in their allegiance to Judaism. They looked for a
Messiah, but misunderstood the nature of such a Savior. They had
rejected Jesus as the Christ, and were responsible for His death
(v.23). But Peter and the other Apostles convinced them that
Jesus was Christ and this placed a heavy guilt upon them.
"What shall we do?" is a cry for help. How shall we
escape our condemnation? And the answer, "Repent, and be
baptized ...in the name of Jesus Christ" said in essence,
"Submit to His authority and He will forgive and bless
you." Scriptural baptism indicates a recognition of past
sin, a willingness to "die" to that old life, looking
in complete trust to Christ for forgiveness and a new life (Rom
.6:).
I
believe this could be learned in "one sermon," but
Acts 2: is not the best example. Those Jews had a scriptural
background and respected Jehovah, albeit in a way heavily
colored by traditions. Some may have heard Jesus teach, and now,
believing Him to be the Messiah, recalled and accepted what they
had heard. In some ways they were like people today who have
spent years in tradition-bound "christian"
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sects before hearing unmixed New
Testament truth. One can't say they learned ALL in one sermon.
But they were made to see Christ in an entirely different light,
and being conscience-smitten, bowed to Him.
Other
N.T. cases have the same essential ingredients, viz.,
recognition of sin, of Jesus as the Savior, and the need to
submit to whatever the Christ commands. There is little evidence
of "church" indoctrination prior to baptism. In Acts
2: "church" at best said "group" or
"assembly" to those Jews; perhaps reminding them of
the congregation of their forefathers in the wilderness (Acts
7:38). The "continuing steadfastly" of v.42 refers to
days that followed — a record written many years later. Early
evangelists did not appeal to aliens with "church"
sermons. At the direction of the Holy Spirit they spoke of sin,
right-standing before God, and judgment to come (Jn. 16:8; Acts
24:25. They told of the rule and realm of Christ, and how to
come to Him (Acts 8:5, 12). I conclude that these are the things
that lead to scriptural baptism — today, even as then.
Today's
circumstances call for contrasting truth and error in many
different fields — calling people out of denominationalism.
But even here the bottom line is trust in the Christ of the
Scriptures (not of men's creeds). Learning this, one may be
scripturally baptized; and will continue to go to Christ for
answers regarding work, worship, the church, etc. Failing to
teach this, we may preach hundreds of sermons on matters vital
to saints, yet never bring one alien sinner into fellowship with
Jesus Christ.
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