Apologetics Episode 4 Baptism

" April 9th, 1989, the True Jesus Church in Ma-Dou prepared to baptize 14 truth seekers at the conclusion of an evangelistic event. The baptism would be held in the ocean, from a beach nearby. Because I had heard about the trick of using red ink, I tagged along out of curiosity to watch the baptism. When everyone had finished singing hymns, I left the group and went further up shore. I found a nice open spot where I could closely observe their every move.

After those who were to receive baptism changed into white robes, they began to walk into the sea one by one. The baptist, Pastor Chen, was holding a brand new white towel without any sign of red ink in his hands. As the first sister began to be baptized, the seawater around her suddenly changed into a deep shade of red.

Were my eyes playing tricks on me? The rest of the ocean appeared a deep turquoise blue against the vast blue sky. How strange--how was it that only the waters surrounding the baptized remained crimson red?


I rubbed my eyes and watched intently as the second, third, and succeeding persons were baptized. Remarkably, this vision continued just the same. Even funnier still, when an infant was immersed in the sea, the color turned into a lighter shade of red. It then immediately changed back to deep red when it was the adults' turn. After the fourteenth person was baptized, the crimson color disappeared and the water was restored to its former turquoise blue.

At that moment it dawned on me that the Lord Jesus had opened my eyes and allowed me to witness how His precious blood cleanses away all our sins in order for us to inherit God's kingdom. Then I lifted up my head and cried out to God, "Oh, Lord, forgive me! I now know You love the people of the world deeply. For our sake You were crucified and bled to wash the world's sins away. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved." On the way home I couldn't help shedding many tears of thanksgiving. On the thirtieth day of the same month I received the baptism in Tainan, Taiwan.

B a p t i s m

- baptizo (Greek), means to immerse.

Baptism is carried out in a way where the baptist is to fully immerse

in running and living water(streams, rivers, pond, sea...)

- a crucial step neccessary to complete one's salvation. (Mk16:16, 1Pet3:20-21, Jn3:5)

Unless one is born of water and of Spirit,

no one can enter the Kingdom of God.

Water is baptism, Spirit is the Holy Spirit.

- holds the efficacy to cleanse sins. (Acts2:38; 22:16)

the Kingdom of Heaven only allows entry for the holy, in other words, no sin should enter Heaven. If sins are not cleansed, that means we can never enter Heaven.

- enables us to put on Christ (Gal 3:27-29)

We once shared no part in Jesus, but now, through baptism, we belong to Jesus,

and we become the descendants of Abraham to share a part in God's fold and promise.

- yields rebirth (Jn3:3-5)

Our old selves were once so wretched and pitiable,

but baptism yields us a new life, new hope.

Baptism is a process of immersing(death and buried)

and arising from the water (resurrection).

- Allows us to have Sonship with God (Gal 4:5-6, Rom8:15-16)