Can I Baptize Myself?

      Greetings from God our Father who is our Lord Jesus. 

Because of Covid-19 families, homes,  businesses and churches have taking special precautions to keep people safe. These precautions include wear a face cover, wash your hands and keeping a safe distance (social distancing). Because I’m a pastor I can speak with specificity of what churches are doing. We have tried to limit the people in our sanctuaries by utilizing technology through virtual services, more phone calls to members than personal visits, etc.

I have seen some innovative strategies that have been very useful for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But I have also witnessed some very disturbing things lately. Although I am conservative in my views of holiness I am not talking about dress code. I am primarily dealing with what we as Oneness Pentecostals believe to be foundational. The doctrine of baptisms. The mode and manner of baptism is as important as the name we use in baptism. With that being noted I would hope to bring to our attention the importance of baptism in Jesus’ name from the perspective of the baptizer. Let’s reason together. Is it biblical for individuals to baptize themselves? Is it ok because we are pastoring in a pandemic? Is this blazing a new trail in the Kingdom? Is this an example of executing baptisms during this season and in the future? Are physically touch-less baptisms biblical? Should we take a page out of the book of this “new” doctrine or should we go the Holy pages of scripture? My brothers and sisters let’s look to the Bible for our doctrine.

In theology there is a law, principle or rule called first mention. It is a guideline that students use for studying the Bible. The law of first mention says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage. The reasoning is that the Bible’s first mention of a concept is the simplest and clearest presentation; doctrines are then more fully developed on that foundation. So, to fully understand an important and complex theological concept, Bible students are advised to start with its first mention.

The book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, naturally contains many first mentions, including the foundations of these doctrines and concepts: divine omnipotence, creation, paradise, marriage, family, sin, sacrifice, atonement, angels, prayer, judgment, covenant, government, death, burial, etc.

When following the law of first mention, we must be careful to also follow the other rules of hermeneutics. We cannot ignore context, for example the fact that the first mention of a serpent in the Bible in Genesis chapter is associated with Satan doesn’t mean that every mention of a serpent in the Bible should be interpreted as satanic. The serpent on the pole in Numbers 21:9 is a type of Christ, according to John 3:14.

So for the answer to the question, Can I baptize myself? Let’s look in the Bible for the first mention. Now we could do a typological study of the Old Testament and show you the doctrine of baptisms.

(1). The Baptism in Noah's day

(2). The Baptism of Moses 

(3). The Washings of the Law

(4). The Baptism of John the Baptist

(5). The Baptism in Jesus' name

But for the sake of staying on subject let’s discuss the first mention of the word baptism 

John the Baptist, whom God sent to prepare the way of the Lord, preached and administered the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:3-4). He came baptizing in order to manifest Christ to Israel (John 1:31). His baptism was a transitory one designed to prepare the Jewish people for Christ’s message and Christian baptism.

John baptism is the first mansion of the word “baptism” in the Bible and as the scriptures teaches he administered the baptisms. He was called John the Baptist because he was the baptizer.

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

(Matthew 3:5-6)

Note the wording in vs 6; “And were baptized of him” the people from Jerusalem, Judaea and the region round about Jordan were baptized by John the Baptist in Jordan.

John the Baptist said he was a baptizer of Water.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

(Matthew 3:11)

Baptism is so important in the plan of God for salvation that Jesus (who is God); was baptized. If anyone could have baptized themselves it would have been Jesus, but even he submitted to John’s baptism.

Matthew 3:13-16;

(13). Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 

Galilee to Jordan is about a 70 mile walk. That’s how important baptism is to God.

(14). But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 

John the Baptist felt his unworthiness in presence of God in Christ Jesus.

(15). And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

Jesus said in order to fulfill all righteousness he needed John the Baptist the baptize him.

(16). And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

This verse of Scripture is of the upmost importance. The Bible says “when he was baptized” all through the Bible baptism is always described as “being baptized”; that is, someone does it to you. You need to have someone to be the baptizer. 

If this is the first mention. It is the guideline for all baptisms in the Bible and if we are Bible believers we should go by the Word of God.

The Bible is the scripture (script-ure), God’s script. When a playwright creates a script, it gives instructions for all involved. It tells each person who they are, what to say, where to be, what to do, and how to do it. God gave us His Word and it is the script. He works according to his script. He will not deviate from His written plan.

Baptism of & by the Disciples:

During Christ’s early ministry, he baptized his disciples and his disciples baptized many converts upon his authority. 

“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”

(John 4:1-2)

It should be noted that God’s has a pattern of consistency throughout the scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. The law of first mention is followed by a pattern of consistency. In John 4:1-2 Jesus was the baptizer of his disciples and after he baptized them, they baptized others.

The  Great Commission:

Matthew 28:18-20;

(18). And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

(19). Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

This is a commandment from our Lord to Teach and baptize nations. Just as one can not teach himself, they can not baptize themselves ether.

(20). Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16;

(15). And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

(16). He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I would like to magnify three words in verse 16, 

“and is baptized” the very wording points one to the understanding of having someone else administer baptism not doing it yourself.

Burial with Christ:

Paul taught that baptism was a burial with Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). The old man is buried at baptism. The old man is the unregenerate lifestyle, the record of past sins, and the dominion of sin. After baptism, we never have to face the record of our past sins again. Have you ever seen a dead man or woman bury themselves? Absolutely not.

Baptism into Christ:

Paul also taught that we are baptized into Christ: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

The definition of “baptized”  is to administer baptism. 

According to the Apostle Paul when we had someone baptized us in water in Jesus’ name and God baptized us with the Holy Spirit we put on Christ.

In my conclusion let us stay with the Word of God and not forget the teachers of our fathers in the faith. 

My dear beloved brother/sister upon the confession of your faith concerning the death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the confidence that we have in the blessed word of God I now baptize you in the name of JESUS Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive The gift of the Holy Ghost. In the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST...... Amen.

Bryant A. Murphy

Justification, Sanctification and Glorification

Justification:

The methods of justification

(1). Justification by Faith (Rom.3:28)

Justification by faith is directed to Jesus Christ alone.

(2). Justification by Grace (Rom.3:24)

Grace is the independent act that gives a person a gift without any one meriting. This means that God gives it without earnings. It is the gift of God. It is not given because of faith but it is given through faith. Faith becomes the channel through which grace is given.

(3). Justification by Blood (Rom.5:9)

This is where all justifications are based. For without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. (Heb. 9:22)

(4). Justification by Works (James 1:19-27)

No person is saved practicing sin. 

Justification by works is for a saved person. Not so he/she may become saved; but because they are saved.

Justification is the act by which God declares the sinner to be righteous. The sinner does not actually become righteous within himself at this point, but God counts, reckons, or considers him as righteous, without regarding his/her past sins. Justification is a legal term denoting a change of standing in the sight of God.

From Romans 5:12-19 one may see the requirements and methods of Justification by using two like circumstances.

One-man sinned and all descendants of man became sinners. The balance or justification is that one man lived righteously and all became righteous. In Adam all dies and in Christ all live.

1 Cor. 15:21-22;

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

When the sacrifices under the law were offered up but they weren't able to pay the penalty of sin. Those sacrifices were the life of animals. Animals are not the same equate of mankind. (Heb. 9:12; 10:1; Matt. 6:26)

Therefore Justification requires the exact opposite in order to be balanced. It takes a positive to reverse a negative. When this is done there is no imbalance but rather, Justification. When justification occurs there is no negative remainder.

Thus it is when God Justifies man there is no condemnation. There are no leftover sins. In the consequence of that is; there is no death to the justified. His sins are forgiven. There is no wrong doing of the justifier for the penalty of sin is paid.

Justification consists of two elements: 

(1) God forgives the sinner, removing the guilt and penalty associated with his sins (Romans 4:6-8; 8:1).

(2) God imputes (transfers) the righteousness of Christ to the sinner, so that he can partake of everything the sinless Christ is entitled to receive because of His righteousness (2Corinthians 5:20-21).

Justification originates in God’s grace, having been purchased for us by the blood of Christ:

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:24-25)

It comes only through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works of the law: 

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5)

God’s grace is the source of justification, the blood of Jesus Christ is the ground of justification, and faith is the condition upon which we receive justification.

“But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans‬ ‭4:24-25)

Since justification comes through faith, it occurs when a person fully believes and obeys the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul said to the corinthian church..

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:11‬)

At repentance, man and God begin to form a personal relationship, which lays a foundation for water and Spirit baptism. At water baptism, God remits sin (Acts 2:38), which corresponds to the first element of justification (God forgives the sinner, removing the guilt and penalty associated with his sins).

The Holy Spirit imparts the righteousness of Christ, for the Spirit is Christ in us: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4); which is the second element of justification (God imputes (transfers) the righteousness of Christ to the sinner).

The summary for Justification was given to us by Bishop Karl F. Smith, the founder of the educational arm of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Aenon Bible College. 

Bishop Karl F. Smith said Justification is “just as if you have never sinned”. 

What a powerful act by God and he is able to justify you!

Sanctification:

Ephesians 5:26-27;

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Sanctification basically equivalent to holiness, which means separation from sin and consecration to God. Sanctification is the process of becoming righteous actually becoming like Christ. As we have studied 

“Justification is the act by which God declares the sinner to be righteous. The sinner does not actually become righteous within himself at this point, but God counts, reckons, or considers him as righteous, without regarding his past sins.”

But sanctification is actually becoming what God declared. When a person is saved God sets them apart from sin but this is only the beginning of the process. God continues to work in us to perfect us and make us holy. The Bible teaches that we can attain maturity and perfection in this life (II Corinthians 3:18; 7:1; Ephesians 4:11-15; II Peter 3:18). This is not absolute sinless perfection as exemplified by Jesus Christ but a relative perfection, because the sin nature (the possibility to sin) reside within. Sanctification is the process to perfection. We can only be perfected by the Word of God. God wants His church to be a separated body from the world, and from false religious systems. No one has the right to be fellowshipped into the body but those that have been taught and accepts the fundamental doctrines of salvation.

God in the person of Jesus Christ has given us a goal in this saved life..

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭5:48‬)

It is possible to be perfect in this life 

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:1‬)

To be perfect is possible but perfection will only take place for the child of God in the rapture. Nevertheless we are to go on onto perfection.

Glorification:

Glorification is the ultimate work of sanctification.

The subject of glorification is in its simplest form the Rapture of the Church.

It should be noted that the coming of the Lord is in two parts. Firstly the coming of the Lord for his church called the appearing of Jesus or the rapture. Secondarily the coming of the Lord with his church called the Second Coming.

Let’s look into the Word of God for an understanding of the Rapture.

Titus 2:11-14;

(11). For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

(12). Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

(13). Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

(14). Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

The glory of the rapture is that the saints are going to have a different kind of body.

Let’s look at some scriptures...

*Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:35-58: The body that you put in the grave is not the body that is coming out. In our bodies is a seed or the soul. What you plant in the ground will not come up it will die but the seed will rise again. So it is with the body, it will go to the grave and at the rapture the seed or soul will rise again. But it won't look like what you plated. God will give your soul a body. To every seed or soul it's own "New Body." When or if we go into the grave we are seeds. 

*Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:1-9: The earthly house or tabernacle is the body. It will be dissolved but we have a building of God or a house not of the earthly but of heaven. In our bodies we groan and desiring to be clothed with our heavenly bodies.

*Commentary on Hebrews 2:14: When God came as a man He put on a body like ours. But when we go in the Rapture we will put on a body like His! 

*Commentary on Philippians 3:20-21: God will change our vile body that it my be fashioned "like unto" His glorious body. We shall be changed or put off this old body and put on the house from Heaven. 

From the scripture in Philippians 3:20-21 our bodies will be like the glorified body of Jesus Christ after his resurrection from the dead. So let's examine the glorified body of our Lord. 

Jesus Appeared (Mark 16:9)

Jesus Appeared in another form (Mark16:12) 

Jesus Vanished (Luke 24:31)

Jesus came in a room with the doors were shut. (John 20:19).

I’m looking for this event to take place any day now. This is our blessed hope. One day the troubles of this life will be over and heaven will be our home. 

In 1898 the hymnologist Eliza Hewitt wrote 

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

sing his mercy and his grace;

in the mansions bright and blessed

he'll prepare for us a place

When we all get to heaven,

what a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus

we'll sing and shout the victory.

While we walk the pilgrim pathway

clouds will overspread the sky,

but when traveling days are over,

not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,

trusting, serving every day;

just one glimpse of Him in glory

will the toils of life repay

When we all get to heaven,

what a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus

we'll sing and shout the victory.