Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 24

"Whosoever is born of G.o.d doth not commit sin; for _His seed remaineth in him_: and he cannot sin, because he is born of G.o.d." 1 John 3:9. See 1 John 5:4; Gen. 39:9.

22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?

"There is therefore now _no condemnation_ to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Conversion Of Saul. "It is hard for thee to kick against the p.r.i.c.ks."

Acts 9:5.

Baptism

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."

Matt. 3:15.

1. What ordinance is closely a.s.sociated with believing the gospel?

"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is _baptized_ shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be d.a.m.ned." Mark 16:15, 16.

2. What did the apostle Peter a.s.sociate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?

"Then Peter said unto them, _Repent_, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38.

3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian jailer told to do?

"And they said, _Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31.

4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?

"And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was _baptized_, he and all his, straightway." Verse 33.

5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and _wash away thy sins_, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16. See t.i.tus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.

6. By what means are sins washed away?

"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins _in His own blood_."

Rev. 1:5.

7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?

"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the _Father_ and of the _Son_ and of the _Holy Ghost_."

Matt. 28:19, R. V.

8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have _put on Christ_." Gal. 3:27.

9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were _baptized into His death_?" Rom. 6:3.

NOTE.-Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the _death_, _burial_, and _resurrection_ of Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,-the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.

10. How is such a baptism described?

"Therefore we are _buried with him_ by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Verse 4.

11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?

"For if we have been _planted together_ in the likeness of His _death_, we shall be also in the likeness of His _resurrection_." Verse 5.

12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?

"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also _live with Him_." Verse 8.

13. In what working of G.o.d is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?

"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him _through the faith of the operation of G.o.d, who hath raised Him from the dead_."

Col. 2:12.

14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be _baptized_ of him." Matt. 3:13.

15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?

"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 G.o.d descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him_: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, _This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased_."

Verses 16, 17.

16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and _ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost_." Acts 2:38.

17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; _what doth hinder me to be baptized_?"

Acts 8:36.