JP|‡@|C|007 Basic Teaching 2026 Edition (ver.9) Group A Relationship with God

(No. 7) Baptism 2025/07/09

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Baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ through the act of immersion in water.

[02]

Some churches practice infant baptism so that children may go to heaven if they die. However, as it says, "He sho believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:16), Baptism is meaningless without faith.
Another extreme is to think that gbelieving is what matters and baptism is not.h This is because Jesus declared salvation to the thief who repented on the cross (Luke 23:43).

[03]

These two extremes fail to understand that "salvation is a process." Jesus was baptized even though He was without sin, as an example for us. Therefore, being baptized is evidence that our faith is heading in the right direction.

[04]

¡ What is Baptism?
1) A public declaration of faith:
(1 Peter 3:21) There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

[05]

Baptism is "the only official expression of faith." In Islamic countries, this can bring life-threatening risks. In Japan, where religious tolerance allows people to believe anything as long as they respect their ancestors' sects, there are often strong objections from family when someone chooses to be baptized. This clearly shows the difference between merely believing and actually being baptized.

[06]

2) Officially becoming a Christian
Our church, as a strategy, avoids drawing a sharp line between the world and Christians, instead treating it as a gradual transition within one gentle community. We expect this to yield a greater harvest.
Therefore, although this is a human perspective, those who are not yet baptized may still not feel alienated in our gatherings.

[07]

However, the general understanding among most churches in Japan is that even if someone attends church every week, if they are not baptized, they are still considered a seeker.
A seeker means one who is seeking the path to salvation, somewhere between an unbeliever and a full Christian.

[08]

3) Declaring departure from the devilfs rule:
(1 John 5:19) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
Before being saved, we were all under the rule of the devil. Baptism is a declaration of officially rejecting that rule.

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4) A funeral for the old self
The baptism ceremony is also a funeral. It means parting with the old self and beginning a new life. If we do not bury the old self, we end up dragging that dead body with us every day.

[10]

(Romans 6:4-6) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

[11]

Baptism is a reenactment of Jesus' death. Before the cross, Jesus had a mortal body, but after resurrection, He had a glorified, eternal body. When we are baptized, we symbolically represent Jesus' death and resurrection.

[12]

¡ What Baptism is not:
1) The act of baptism or water itself does not make one holy.

[13]

2) It is an entry point of faith, not its completion: Our goal of faith is to become like Christ. Thus, baptism is like an entrance ceremony for the life of faith. Our growth in faith is not by our own effort but by the work of the Holy Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18) ...are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
(Ephesians 4:13) ... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;.

[14]

¡ Why be baptized?
1) Because Jesus commanded it: Baptism is something Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 28:19. He Himself was baptized, setting an example for us (Matthew 3:15). Even though it is a sign of repentance, Jesus, though sinless, humbled Himself and was baptized. Therefore, we must also be baptized.

[15]

2) Because of our love relationship with God:

(Matthew 3:17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Not just out of obligation, but because the Father who loves us rejoices when we walk in His will. We are baptized out of love for God.

[16]

¡ Three beings watch us when we receive baptism as a declaration of faith:
  1. God and the angels of heaven: When we publicly confess our faith, there is rejoicing in heaven.

(Ephesians 1:3) ... Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
(Luke 15:7) ... there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

[17]

2) The Church: Members of the church, as the family of God, rejoice together in this public confession of faith. As we have seen, relating to God takes place within the family of God. Therefore, the baptism ceremony is something that belongs to the community of God, like a wedding.

[18]

3) The devil: Through baptism, we publicly declare our exit from his rule (as seen in [07]).

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¡ The mindset of the person receiving baptism
In the Bible, those who believed were baptized immediately. So requiring a class before baptism may go beyond what the Bible says. However, our church considers baptism not as a goal, but part of a longer journey, and we believe it is important to understand the necessary mindset before being baptized.

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1) Having faith: Naturally, this means making Christ the Lord of your life, recognizing yourself as a sinner, and believing that Christ is the only Savior who died in your place.

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2) Understanding the direction of becoming a disciple:

(Matthew 28:19) g...make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.h

Regardless of how far wefve come, we want people to be aware of this direction. As noted in C-5 "Becoming a Disciple", this does not mean placing extra burdens.

[22]

3) Walking not by the flesh but by the Spirit:
We are justified because we met Godfs requirement of believing in the cross and receiving the Holy Spirit. However, unless we walk by the Spirit, we may not fully experience the benefits and may fall back into old ways.
Please review the previous session, C-06, gThe Indwelling of the Spirit and Walking by the Spirith to better understand this.

[23]

As we walk with the Spirit, transformation occurs within us and various forms of deliverance happen.
In daily life, we begin to bear the character of God called the Fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23.
Also, we can be set free from addictions like alcohol, nicotine, games, and pornography.
So if you are in such a state or on the verge of it, we encourage not just hoping for freedom but actively walking by the Spirit. Likewise, we hope you will also take steps to avoid such negative influences and seek support or counsel.

[24]

We also want you to know the gstandard walkh of a believer. This includes gbecoming a giverh ?

‡@ serving family, neighbors, community, and church, and ‡A giving offerings.

[25]

Of course, offerings are based on free will. It is part of worship and should never be forced.
Still, Scripture gives us a guideline of tithing, or giving one-tenth of income. Though from the Old Testament and applied differently today, our church sees it as a good reference for the lifestyle of faith.