PERSONAL EVANGELISM

PERSONAL EVANGELISM
INTRODUCTION
1. No one is a natural born soul-winner:
a) I read of mechanics dying, but not being born.
b) I hear of executives dying, but not being born.
c) I learn of personal workers dying, but not of their being born.
d) Conclusion: Mechanics, executives, personal workers, etc., are MADE,
not born.
2. We learn by doing:
a) Reading a book about flying does not automatically qualify one to become
a pilot.
b) Reading about sewing does not make one a seamstress.
c) Reading about farming does not automatically make one a farmer.
d) There must be the practical application of the thing one studies if he is to
become proficient at it.
e) The same thing applies to personal evangelism.
3. Incentives to reach the lost:
a) The lost are doomed to an eternal, burning hell.
b) The gospel is the only way people can be saved.
c) The gospel has been entrusted in our care.
d) We must be as concerned about the lost as Jesus and God are.
e) We must be profitable servants of God.
f) If God were as concerned about the lost as you are, how many souls
would be saved?
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4. Soul winning is the overflow of one’s life in Christ:
a) We are soul-winners, NOT because of WHAT we know, but because of
WHOM we know.
b) Evangelism is not what we DO; it is what we ARE.
5. How does one begin?
a) Pray.
b) Study.
c) Practice.
d) Trust God.
e) Build a good library:
1) Bible concordance.
2) Bible dictionary.
3) Debates on every subject.
4) Bible encyclopedias.
5) Commentaries on the Bible.
6. Why do some people hesitate to share their faith?
a) Some are afraid they will do more harm than good.
b) Some fear failure.
c) Some are afraid they will be rejected.
d) Some do not know what to say.
e) Some do not know how to present the gospel.
f) Some feel it is not one of their talents.
g) Some do not know how to begin.
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h) Some do not know how to close.
i) Some do not feel obligated to do so.
Preliminaries
PRELIMINARIES
1. Purchase an edition of the Bible (or New Testament) that you know you will be
able to replace.
2. Mark your Bible.
3. Read your Bible daily.
4. Schedule personal work.
5 Pray for:
a) Guidance.
b) Wisdom.
6. Dress neatly.
7. Be clean.
8. Always carry something with which to sweeten your breath (breath-mints, etc.).
9. Go in pairs whenever possible.
10. Do not park your automobile behind someone so you will not be forced to move it
at a critical point in the study.
11. Carry a city map and a flashlight in your automobile.
12. If possible, find the address in the daytime. This will enable you to locate it easily
at night.
13. Plan your visits:
a) Go to the best prospect first.
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b) Arrange your list of prospects to where you can make all of your visits in
one area of town before going to another area. This will keep you from
running back and forth across town and losing valuable time.
14. Take some sort of literature with the church’s name on it, that you can leave in
case the prospect is not home. That way the call will not be a total loss.
15. Do not crowd the door.
16. Do NOT get into a Bible discussion at the door:
a) The time at the door is to be spent getting into the house for the study.
b) You will not be able to convert them if you cannot get them to sit down and
open up the Bible with you.
17. Be friendly.
18. Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm sells!
19. Be courteous.
20. Teach a small number. Do NOT let your prospect talk you into teaching a large
group of people.
21. Your handshake should be:
a) Firm;
b) Not a “bone-crusher”;
c) Gentle with ladies.
Silent Partner
SILENT PARTNER
1. Get the soul-winner and the sinner seated together.
2. Help the sinner locate the passages in the Bible.
3. Nod at the appropriate times.
4. Look interested at all times.
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5. Pray silently.
6. Baby-sit when necessary.
7. Be SILENT:
a) Unless your partner asks for your input.
b) Unless you perceive the clarification of a point MUST be made.
The Approach
THE APPROACH
1. Use the first ten seconds to purchase the time to make the presentation.
2. Develop interest.
3. The question approach:
a) Use a question to develop interest:
1) “Will the majority go to heaven?”
2) “Are we under the Ten Commandments today?”
3) “If you were to die tonight, are you certain you would go to heaven?”
4) “Do you know anything about the church of Christ?”
b) Then use another question to set up the study: (Use #1 below with #1 in
a) above, etc.)
1) “Would you like to see what the Bible says about that?”
2) “Would you like to see what the Bible says about that?”
3) “Would you like to be certain?”
4) “Would you like to know?”
4. Enthusiasm:
a) Enthusiasm sells!
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b) If you are excited about your relationship with Jesus, you can get others
excited about Him.
c) But if you are not excited about Him, you cannot excite others about Him.
d) Enthusiasm is contagious!
5. Do not over-sell:
a) Too much information too fast will turn people off.
b) Give the prospect just enough information to set up the study.
6. The two major things one must remember in the approach are:
a) Develop the interest.
b) Get the appointment.
Approach At The Door
APPROACH AT THE DOOR
1. Be friendly. You are happy and have something wonderful to share.
2. Find something to honestly compliment. For example:
a) House.
b) Lawn.
c) Flowers.
d) Neighborhood.
3. Dialogue:
a) Has anyone been by here with a pamphlet like this?
b) Well I’m glad I came by (said with enthusiasm).
c) Let me tell you what we are doing:
1) First let me tell you what we are NOT doing:
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a. We are not asking for donations;
b. We are not trying to sell our literature.
2) Here is what we are doing:
a. We are rendering a service to our community.
b. We are trying to bring our nation back to God, and I believe
that is what we need. Don’t you? (Wait for answer.)
c. I believe we all need to come back to the Bible and live by
the great principles contained in it, don’t you? (Wait for reply.)
d. Do you study your Bible very much? (Regardless of the
answer, go on.)
e. We are visiting all of the homes in this entire area.
f. We are offering as a FREE service a one hour presentation
of this booklet (The “DOES IT MATTER?”).
1. There are no obligations whatsoever:
2. It is undenominational;
3. We have been sharing it with some of your neighbors
and they really appreciate it and enjoy it.
d) Now, I would like to make it as convenient for you as possible:
1) As we can come in right now, if you would like;
2) Or, if you prefer, we can come back. (State a day and time
convenient for you.)
3) Which would be best for you?
Approach At The Door (2)
APPROACH AT THE DOOR (2)
The following two approaches were developed by John Kimbrough.
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I. John said this approach will get you into almost any door:
“Hello, we are your neighbors. My name is John Kimbrough and this is Bobby Bates.
We thought we would go around this morning and tell our neighbors about some free
public services that are being offered that you probably don’t even know about. May we
come in?”
The free services John told them about were: counseling, Bible classes for all ages,
Bible correspondence course, transportation to and from the services of the church and
a free home Bible study. With this last one, he would try to get them into a Bible study
then and there. He generally would use the “DOES IT MATTER?” and would have
them into a Bible study before they even knew what was going on. However, he did not
recommend this as the BEST approach because he could get a lot of people into a
study who were not in the least interested.
II. This is the approach John recommends to find those who are interested:
“Hello, my name is John Kimbrough and this is Bobby Bates. We are out today telling
our neighbors about some of the free services that are being offered by the Church of
Christ; services such as counseling, Bible classes for all ages, transportation to and
from the church services and Bible correspondence courses. Do you belong to a
church in this area?”
If the person does not belong to church, ask if you can come in and explain.
If he does belong to a church, just go on with the door approach.
“Our main interest is home Bible studies. Do you study the Bible in your own home?”
If he says he does, say, “That’s great. I know, then, that you would enjoy this short Bible
study (showing them the Bible study). May I come in?”
If he hesitates, or refuses, but does not show a REAL negative attitude, continue on.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” (Wait for reply.) “If you were to die tonight, do
you know for certain you would go to heaven?”
If the answer is yes, ask him to share it with you, but do not let him do so at the door.
Insist that he let you in so you can sit down and take notes. When he tells you, take
careful notes. After you have patiently, kindly and carefully listened to him, ask if you
could share with him how you came to know for certain you would go to heaven when
you die. At the end of the study, compare his “conversion” with what the Bible teaches.
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If the answer to the above question (“If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain
you would go to heaven?”) is no,’ ask him, “Would you like to know for sure?” If the
answer is yes, say, “May I come in and share with you what God says about that in the
Bible?”
The World Book Shuffle
THE “WORLD BOOK SHUFFLE”
Herb Carnagey is one of the best door to door personal workers I have met. Herb had
been a successful door to door salesman before deciding to give his talents to the work
of the Lord full-time. One successful technique he used is known as “the World Book
Shuffle.”
After going through the door approach and asking for the study, Herb would start wiping
his feet and reach for the door. Often the prospect would just open the door and let him
in.
Herb said that when you ask for the study and start wiping your feet, do not look the
prospect in the eye, but look down as though you are making certain you are wiping
your feet properly. Watch the prospect’s feet. If he starts backing up, you have
permission to enter. If he stands his ground, you will have to do a little more “selling.”
Once Herb and I were working together in a campaign. I went through the door
approach with the lady of the house. There was a little “loud-mouth” dog out in the yard
that stood right behind us and barked the whole time I was talking. When I asked for
the study, Herb started stomping his feet and the lady opened the door to let us in and
Herb pushed me inside. The “stomping” I heard was Herb going through “the World
Book Shuffle.”
The Visit Preliminary To The Study
THE VISIT PRELIMINARY TO THE STUDY
1. Show an interest in them. Be observant of any hobbies, etc., in which they might
be (or have been) engaged.
2. Find something to honestly compliment:
a) Children.
b) Pictures.
c) Flowers.
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d) Furniture.
e) Pottery.
f) House
g) Anything that looks interesting or lovely, etc.
3. Ask questions:
a) Ask questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer.
b) Ask questions about job, family, hometown, hobbies, etc.
c) Getting people to talk helps to “warm them up” for the gospel and asking
questions that require some elaboration helps accomplish that.
4. LISTEN!
a) Do not dominate the conversation.
b) People will not be converted because you can out-talk them.
c) People enjoy talking about themselves.
d) People like to think we are interested in them.
e) By listening, the personal worker can learn many things that will help him
as he teaches the lesson and when he comes to the conclusion. For example,
an illustration taken from one’s occupation or hobby can be the key
that open the prospect’s understanding to a vital point.
5. Avoid embarrassing (or potentially embarrassing) questions.
6. Do not acknowledge an apology. Turn the conversation to something positive.
7. Be relaxed and friendly.
8. Make the preliminary visit relatively brief. The purpose is to get the prospect
“warmed up.”
The Study
THE STUDY
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1. Establish a favorable environment. Try to make sure the gospel receives a favorable
hearing:
a) Blaring radio.
b) Favorite television program.
c) Rowdy children.
d) Crying baby.
2. Get around the kitchen table for the study:
a) Visitors sit in the living room, whereas family and close friends sit at the
kitchen table.
b) Most major decisions are made at the kitchen table.
c) The next best place is the dining room table.
d) Due to the fact that you will be writing conclusions and drawing illustrations
for them, you need to get them around a table if at all possible.
3. Place the sinner on your right hand.
4. Have plenty of paper on which to draw illustrations, outline major points and write
down conclusions.
5. Use the sinner’s Bible.
6. Get the sinner to read the passages OUT LOUD.
a) If you have a “silent-partner”, have him alternate with the sinner in reading
the passages.
b) If you have others sifting at the table, have them take turns in reading the
Scriptures.
7. Start the “close” at the beginning of the study:
a) “if we were to find something in our study that God wanted you to do,
would you be willing to do it?”
b “Is there anything that would keep you from doing it tonight (or today as
the case may be)?”
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8. Get on a first name basis as soon as possible. 9. Use the prospect’s name often:
a) It helps to keep their attention.
b) People like to hear their own names.
c) Use his name especially when you want to make an important point.
10. Emphasize areas of agreement.
11. Admit it when you do not know the answer. Just say, “I don’t know but I will find
out.”
12. Postpone when necessary:
a) If it will be covered later, tell them that.
b) If it is not relevant to the study, write it down and tell them you will get to it
another time. Be honest and plan to study it with them, but not until AFTER
you have taught them the gospel.
13. Do not preach. There will be a lot of good lessons one could bring out, but this is
not the time and it will hinder your purpose for being there.
14. Do not try to show off your knowledge of the Bible. People will not be converted
to the Lord because of your knowledge.
15. Do not criticize others (denominations or people). You will not convert anyone by
criticizing their denomination or people associated with their church.
16. Do not get side-tracked.
17. Do not let the study degenerate into a heated argument.
18. Keep it simple. The more complex a situation, the less receptive the sinner will
be to persuasion, because the more complex you make the study the greater the
number of factors the sinner must evaluate before making a decision.
19. Help the sinner see that what you are presenting and proposing is the best, most
reasonable choice.
20. The most powerful tool you can use is the Bible:
a) It was written to convert the lost.
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b) It produces faith.
c) It is the sword of the Holy Spirit.
d) It is the Word of God.
21. The prospect must be made to realize he is a sinner and lost!
22. He must be made aware of the consequences of his lost state.
23. Get everyone in the room involved in the study:
a) Those not involved tend to hinder the study.
b) If there are children in the room who are old enough to read, have them
help read the passages.
24. Involve everyone participating in the study by name.
25. Be excited about the gospel:
a) You have every reason to be excited about the gospel.
b) You can’t get them excited about it if you are not excited about it.
26. Interruptions:
a) If someone in the study has to leave the room for a few moments, hold up
on the study until he returns. You can visit or recap some points.
b) If a visitor comes, invite him to sit in on the study. If he accepts, start the
study anew at the very beginning.
Keeping Their Attention
KEEPING THEIR ATTENTION
The mind works much faster than one can speak; consequently, the mind has a tendency
to wander even when the study is most interesting. Here are some techniques
that will help keep the sinner’s attention during the study:
1. Use his name often.
2. Use lots of illustrations.
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3. Tell stories. Jesus is the Master-teacher: that is what He did.
4. Have him read the passages out loud.
5. Ask questions.
6. Draw stick figures.
7. Write down major conclusions.
8. Be enthusiastic.
9. Change the inflection in your voice. Do not be a monotone.
10. Spaced repetition of important ideas not only keeps his attention, but it is
effective teaching.
11. Use your pen or pencil as a pointer to call attention to a certain passage or word
in a passage that you want to emphasize.
12. Use action:
a) Use hand motions when appropriate.
b) At times it may be effective to act out stories or Biblical examples:
1) Conversion of Saul.
2) Conversion of the Ethiopian.
13. Maintain eye contact.
14. Use facial expressions.
After The Study
AFTER THE STUDY
1. Make notes that will help in a future study with the prospect.
a) Doctrinal difficulties.
b) Names of children, pets, wife.
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c) Hobbies.
d) Favorite topics.
e) Profession.
f) Any difficulties that hinder his obedience to the gospel.
2. Evaluate the study:
a) Were you able to keep on the study?
b) Did you do too much talking?
c) Did you make the study applicable to him?
d) What should you have done differently?
e) What improvements should you make for future studies?
3. Keep in touch:
a) Let him know you are concerned about him as a person.
b) Let him see that your only interest in him is not just to convert him.
The Sale After The Sale
THE SALE AFTER THE SALE
1. It is a natural reaction for one to have second thoughts after making an important
decision:
a) “Did I do the right thing?”
b) “What will (non-Christian friend or relative) think?”
2. Salesmen who are able to keep their product sold, generally give the buyer a
reassurance talk. This can be done a couple of ways:
a) Tell the new convert he has made a wise decision, but Satan will try every
way possible to win him back.
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b) Some personal workers have the new convert write a letter to himself
expressing how he felt at the time of his conversion and why he was baptized.
Prospects
PROSPECTS
I. Always be building relationships with non-Christians:
1. We meet those who are involved in mutual interests:
a) Job.
b) Children.
c) Hobbies.
d) Recreation.
e) Athletics.
2. Develop casual acquaintances.
3. Build relationships with them.
4. Invite them to social activities of the church.
5. Invite them to spiritual activities.
II. Invite them into your home:
1. Mormons have 0.1 conversions for every 1,000 doors knocked, but a 50%
conversion rate of those who come into their homes.
2. The Mormons also find that their best prospects are made by the ordinary
members.
III. With whom were Jesus and the Apostles the most effective in evangelism?
1. Not the:
a) Religious leaders.
b) Philosophers.
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c) Socially elite.
d) Politicians.
e) Wealthy.
2. They were the most effective with the:
a) Common people.
b) Outcasts.
c) Oppressed.
d) Religious minded:
1) Pentecost.
2) Synagogues.
e) Poor.
f) Infirm.
Finding Responsive People
FINDING RESPONSIVE PEOPLE
1. One who has recently undergone a high degree of change in his life.
2. Death of a close friend or loved one.
3. Marital problems.
4. Separation.
5. Divorce.
6. Major illness.
7. Personal tragedy of any kind.
8. New baby (especially the first-born).
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9. New retiree.
10. One who has just moved into the community.
11. Change in job (responsibility, raise, demotion, cut in pay).
12. Change in financial status.
13. Marital reconciliation.
14. Children leaving home.
15. Wife beginning or quitting work.
16. Newly-weds.
17. High school graduates.
18. College graduates.
19. Military personnel.
20. “Undesirables” - They are potential converts to mass movements because they
see their lives as ruined and they are ready for something better.
21. The “new” poor.
22. One who stands alone and has no collective body with which he can blend.
23. Members of a church which was once all-embracing but has relaxed its hold.
24. Members of a movement which is beginning to show liberal tendencies.
25. One who has recently been discharged from the military service.
26. The bored.
27. Non-Christian mates.
28. Non-Christian children.
29. Non-Christian relatives.
30. Non-Christian friends.
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31. Visitors to worship services and/or Bible classes.
32. Parents of “bus children” (if you have a bus program).
33. Rest homes.
34. College campus.
35. Take a religious survey of the community with the explicit purpose of setting up
home Bible studies.
36. Hospital visitation.
37. Campaign for Christ.
38. Those who have completed a Bible correspondence course.
NOTE: Classes #5 - #9 are the 3 booklets, “Back To The Bible”. Please contact
WORLD VIDEO BIBLE SCHOOL for additional copies of the booklets.
Follow-Up On New Converts
FOLLOW-UP ON NEW CONVERTS
One area in which many congregations have been neglected is that of follow-up with
new converts. One acquaintance of mine was an exceptional personal worker who was
able to convert a lot of people, but with no follow-up program, few of them remained
faithful. He lamented the fact that they were “going out the back door as fast as he
brought them in the front door because the brethren did not seem to make an effort to
keep them.”
In Matthew 28:19,20 Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching
them to observe all thing whatsoever I have commanded you.” Notice, we are to make
disciples and then we are to teach them.
New converts have special needs. I will not go into great detail here about the new
converts follow-up program because I have dealt with it in detail in a work entitled,
Growing In Christ. In the places where Growing In Christ has been implemented it has
proven to be effective. However, I would like to make a few suggestions here that will be
very helpful.
1. WRITE A NOTE:
Have the new convert write a note to himself immediately after his conversion
stating:
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1) Why was he baptized?
2) What did he feel at the time?
3) How faithful will he be to Jesus.
Those who make a written commitment are more likely to remain faithful.
2. INTRODUCE THEM AT THE FIRST SERVICE:
After telling the congregation briefly about the conversion, call the new Christian
by name and have them stand just for a moment so the congregation can see
them.
3. HAVE THEM MEET WITH THE ELDERS:
Arrange for them to meet with the elders at the earliest opportunity so they can
become acquainted with the men who are in charge of their spiritual lives, and so
the elders can explain the work programs of the congregation to them.
4. ADOPTIVE PARENTS:
Match them up with someone in the congregation who will agree to be their spiritual
parents. The adoptive parents must agree to:
1) Contact them each week.
2) Have them over for meals.
3) Pray with them.
4) Remember birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
5) Invite them to sit with them in worship services.
6) Check on them if they miss the church services.
7) Introduce them to other Christians.
5. NEW CONVERTS CLASS:
This is conducted on Sunday mornings at the building during the regular Bible
class hour. The program is explained in my book, Growing In Christ.
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6. JULE MILLER FILMS:
This is conducted in the home and can be done by the one who converted them,
or the Adoptive Parents, or by someone else in the congregation. It is an excellent
tool for reinforcing what they have already learned and helping to establish
them in the faith.
If one family member was converted, but the others were not, this provides a
good opportunity to do some more teaching and try to lead the unconverted family
members to obey the gospel.
Jule originally produced these on film strips, but now they are available on video
tapes. Since most people have VCRs, it is an excellent way to show them and
one would not have to mess with a projector, screen, electrical extension cord,
etc., etc.
7. VISITATION:
Give their names to the leaders of the visitation program to visit once a week for
a couple of months.
8. INVOLVEMENT:
Get them involved as soon as possible. Here are some suggestions (to be applied
where appropriate):
1) Serving at the Lord’s table.
2) Preparing food for:
a. Sick.
b. Teen parties.
c. Fellowships.
3) Sit with the sick.
4) Get them on a visitation team.
5) Take them on Bible studies with you.
6) Get them to help with work around the church building.
9. INTRODUCE THEM TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION:
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Statistics show that if the new converts do not make four or five friends in the
congregation, they will fall away. So it is very important to help them make
friends.
This can be accomplished in a number of ways.
1) Invite the new converts over to your house for a meal and have another
couple there from the congregation whom you feel will be compatible with
them.
2) Invite them over for refreshments and have a number of other couples
over at the same time.
3) Invite them and some other couples to out for coffee after the Wednesday
evening services.
10. NEW CONTACTS:
Each person has his own unique circle of friends and relations. Consequently,
the new convert can use his influence to lead us to souls we would never be able
to contact otherwise. As we nurture him in the faith, we need to help him realize
the urgent need to help us carry the gospel to his friends and relatives.
11. PERSONAL EVANGELISM:
As soon as possible enroll him in a personal evangelism class and take him with
you on Bible studies. The best way to ground a person in the faith is to have him
learn how to teach it.
Objections To Baptism
OBJECTIONS TO BAPTISM
Following are twenty-five of the most common objections to the essentiality of baptism.
Answer these objection with Scripture and logic.
1. The thief on the cross was saved without baptism.
2. We are saved by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8.
3. What if one is in the desert and cannot get to water?
4. It condemns all who have not been baptized regardless of their sincerity.
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5. Baptism is a work of man and we are not saved by works, Romans 4:1-5; Ephesians
2:8.
6. Baptism is only a figure, 1 Peter 3:21. It is only a figure of our salvation, signifying
we have been saved.
7. In Mark 16:16, Jesus does NOT say, “He that believeth not and is baptized not
shall be condemned.” Only the unbelievers are condemned.
8. In 1 John 5:1, John says, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of
God.” Therefore, one is born of God at faith without baptism.
9. In Acts 2:38, the word “for” means “because of.” Therefore, one is baptized
BECAUSE his sins were forgiven when he believed.
10. In 1 Corinthians 1: 17, Paul said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the
gospel.” Since Paul was not sent to baptize, baptism is not essential to salvation.
11. 1 Corinthians 10:2. To be baptized into Christ (eis Christon ebaptisthetej
corresponds identically with the statement, “baptized unto Moses” (eis ton Mosen
ebaptisanto). Israel was not literally baptized into Moses. They were simply
identified with Moses through the baptism in the Red Sea. All were delivered
from the bondage of Pharaoh by the blood before they were baptized into Moses.
In like manner, one must be a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus before he is a
fit subject to be baptized into Christ.
12. John 4:1. Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. Jesus FIRST
made disciples and then He baptized them. Therefore they were saved BEFORE
being baptized.
13. John 3:5. To be born of water and Spirit is to be born physically and spiritually.
“Water” here refers to physical birth and “Spirit” refers to spiritual birth. Baptism is
not discussed here at all.
14. John 3:5. “Water” and “Spirit” are the same here. Kai can be translated “even.”
Jesus is saying, “Except one is born of the water, EVEN the Spirit.”
15. John 3:5. If “water” refers to water baptism, then there are two baptisms taught
in this passage. Ephesians 4:5 teaches there is but one baptism. Therefore, “
water” in this passage cannot refer to baptism.
16. John 1:31. Baptism is to make manifest. The purpose of baptism is: that the
Christian makes manifest to the world his identity with Jesus and the church. It is
the public declaration that he is saved. Jesus was baptized to make known to
the world that He is the Son of God. Likewise, we are baptized to manifest to the
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world that we are the children of God. Jesus was not baptized to become the
Son of God and neither are we.
17. John 3:5. To be born of water and Spirit has no reference to baptism because
baptism is a burial, not a birth.
18. Acts 10:44. Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before baptism. In John 14:17
Jesus said the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. Thus, Cornelius was a Christian
before he was baptized.
19. John 3:5. To be born of water in this passage cannot refer to Christian baptism
because it had not yet been instituted.
20. John 3:5. The word “water” in connection with salvation is often used as a
symbol of the Holy Spirit. In John 7:37,38, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me
as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water. But this he
spake of the Spirit.” Jesus used “water” first as a figurative way of saying “born
of the Spirit,” and then made Himself clear by repeating the thought in plain language.
21. Acts 22:16. Ananias tells Paul to “be baptized and wash away thy sins” - two
separate acts. Paul was not told to be baptized in order to wash away his sins,
but he was told to wash away his sins by calling on the name of the Lord.
22. Acts 22:16. In Galatians 1:11,12, Paul said that the gospel he preached was not
taught to him by man, but it came to him by revelation of Jesus. If baptisms were
a part of Paul’s gospel, then Paul received it from man - Ananias.
23. Romans 6:3,4. Throughout the first part of this chapter, Paul is speaking in
figures and symbols. Paul is using baptism as a symbol to paint a vivid picture of
what happens when one is identified with Christ. Baptism pictures the burial and
resurrection, but is not itself that burial and resurrection.
24. Galatians 3:27. Baptism here does not refer to water baptism, but is figurative
for our identification with Christ, which is achieved by faith.
25. 1st Peter 3:21. Water baptism IS a “putting away of the filth of the flesh.” What
actually saves is the “answering of a good consc