Baptism of Protestants. The difference between the Orthodox teaching on the Sacrament of Baptism and the teachings of Catholics, Protestants and other religions. Proper Baptism Through Full Triple Immersion

In Orthodox and Catholic churches, children are washed with water with prayers, and this is called baptism. However, the Bible does not mention any baptism of infants and children. All who were baptized were baptized as adults, including Jesus Himself. What is baptism, and why are children baptized then?

John the Baptist began to baptize with water, "preaching baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins » (Luke 3:3; Mark 1:4; Acts 13:24).

« Peter said to them: repent, and yes baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christfor the forgiveness of sins "(Acts 2:38).
"Get up, be baptized and wash away your sinscalling on the name of the Lord Jesus» ( Acts. 22:16)

This means that the meaning of baptism is REPENTANCE for one's sins, asking for the forgiveness of one's sins, and also believing in Jesus:

"John baptized baptism of repentance telling people to believed ..in Christ Jesus"(Acts 19:4). " And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Who will be believe and be baptized , will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

« So go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to obey everything that I commanded you"(Mat. 28:19-20).

Baptism is not only repentance for your sins:« baptism, not carnal uncleanness washing , but a promise to God of good conscience » (I Pet. 3:21). Therefore, baptism involves the baptized person changing their sinful ways and trying not to sin again.

Let's look at other examples from the Bible.

« Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? So we were buried with him by baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we are united with Him in the likeness of His death, then we must be [united] also in the [likeness] of the resurrection,knowing that our old man was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be abolished, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin» (Rom. 6:3-6).

« former buried with Him in baptism in Him you and co-resurrected faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead"(Col. 2:12).

« For you are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus; all of you, in Christ baptized have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27).

When Jesus died on the cross, He, having no sin, paid with His death for our sins. Through baptism we are united with Christ (put on Him) in the execution of the death sentence for sin. We are baptized into His death. We, who are not able to rise again because we are sinners, join Christ, and together with Him we die (immersion in water) and rise again (coming out of water).

Baptism symbolizes the death of a sinful person and the resurrection of a new person in Christ.

Therefore, baptism is a conscious, impossible and meaningless act for unreasonable, sinless babies. Baptism is a choice of path; commitment to God; signing a pact with God that repentance and striving for a righteous life will guarantee your salvation. This is the grace of God.

« Meanwhile, continuing on their way, they came to the water; and the eunuch said, Here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?Philip said to him: if you believe with all your heart , can. He answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he ordered the chariot to stop, and both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch; and baptized him"(Acts 8:35-38).

Baptism can be likened to the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea after leaving the land of slavery. Baptism can be likened to the passage of Noah's family through the Flood. Baptism is leaving our old sinful, worldly ways behind and taking on our shoulders the yoke of Christ (" my yoke is easy and my burden is light» Mat.11:30).

Then what does the verse mean?one Lord, one faith, one baptism» (Eph. 4:5)? Does this mean that if a person was baptized in infancy, it is a sin for him to be baptized again?

It says that with repentance and baptism, all past sins are forgiven forever and at the same moment. A person becomes clean from all past sins. He starts his new life with a clean page. He does not need to ask for forgiveness over and over for what he did in his past life. She is forgiven and forgotten. She died at the moment when a person was immersed in water during baptism. Therefore, REAL baptism is one.

Why is infant baptism practiced in churches?
This anti-biblical practice has a long history. In 416. Emperor Constantine, who wanted to Christianize the entire Roman Empire, was ordered to baptize all newborns. Anyone who did not agree with the imperial command was severely punished. The same laws were issued by several other emperors. And later the church itself. Many of those who did not agree with this doctrine of the church were killed by it during the time of the Inquisition. The consecration of babies with water came from the Babylonian mystery and was common in all pagan rites of that time. It has nothing to do with the teachings of Christ.

Baptism with water - for salvation (1 Peter 3:21) - is given by the grace of God (Titus 3:5), but the baptism with the Holy Spirit - for the Kingdom of Heaven - must be sought.

“Truly I say to you, if anyone does not born from water and Spirit , can't log in Kingdom of God"(John. 3:5).

About the same, what is the baptism with the Holy Spirit - a complex topic, and we will talk about it another time.

On January 19, Protestants celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is also called Theophany. The feast of the Epiphany, along with the feast of Easter, is the oldest Christian holiday and is dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The holiday got its name "Theophany" because at the baptism of Christ the Holy Trinity appeared to the world: there was the voice of the Father, there was a descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and the baptism of the Son from John the Baptist took place. Protestants sometimes call it the "Big New Year".

This holiday is not passing, i.e. with a fixed date.

In Protestant churches, as a rule, already adults are baptized, although infant baptism is preserved in some churches of Protestantism (Lutheranism, Reformed). Protestants do not baptize babies, believing that a person must make a conscious decision about baptism (since, according to Protestants, baptism is possible only on the basis of a person’s personal faith, and not the faith of his parents and godparents). Therefore, Protestants who do not practice child baptism specifically emphasize on this holiday that Christ was baptized at a conscious age.

Protestants conceive of the essence of the Sacrament of Baptism in different ways. Protestants from the "Church of Christ", the Campbellites and a number of other Protestant denominations, see in Baptism a means of the saving grace of God. They agree with the Orthodox and Catholics that Baptism is the beginning of salvation, and without it the salvation of a person is in principle impossible.

Lutherans, Presbyterians, Reformed, Anglicans and other Protestant denominations who practice infant baptism see Baptism as a sign and seal of the Covenant with God. As a rule, in such churches, a person baptized in infancy must undergo confirmation (confirmation of faith). This is a kind of exam that teenagers undergo, after which they can be considered full members of the church.

Evangelical Christians, Baptists, Mennonites, and others see Baptism as a symbol of salvation. They are sure that salvation occurs solely through faith in Jesus Christ, and baptism is just a symbol, an act expressing the obedience of the saved person to God. Therefore, they perform baptism only on adults who are able to confess their faith in Christ.

Among Protestants, the ritual side of baptism is also ambiguous. Basically there are three forms of baptism: total immersion in water, pouring water over and sprinkling water. Moreover, even these forms of baptism can vary. For example, a dive can be either single or triple.

First rite of baptism, described in the Bible, was held by John the Baptist at the command of the Lord. He appeared to a man, predicting the coming of Jesus to earth. The Son of God descended and, together with other Jews, passed three times dipping into the waters of the river.

The Gospel describes that the Jordan then flowed back, pointing to the miraculous essence of baptism. This was confirmed by the Holy Trinity, which appeared over the waters during the ceremony. Over the centuries, several forms of its implementation have been formed among different faiths. Consider how Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants are baptized.

The rite of Orthodox baptism

The rite of baptism in Orthodoxy It is allowed to conduct not only clergymen, but also ordinary people. The main condition is that a person must be a believer, not a criminal, liars, in general, a worthy servant of God.

The performer is obliged to correctly pronounce speeches, prayers, at the right moments to order to plunge. Immersion in water is preceded by phrases forbidding evil spirits. The person being baptized is turned to face the west. A question is asked three times, to which a person must answer three times that he renounces Satan. Then, there is a turn to the east. Here they swear allegiance to Christ three times.

After the oaths, the priest reads the great litany. It consists of prayers. These are short, fragmentary petitions addressed to the Lord. During the pronunciation of phrases, they consecrate water and oil - oil for anointing. Then dipping follows. Wherein, the rite of baptism in the church, or in an open source, is accompanied by a prayer in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Leaving the font, a person puts on white clothes. They symbolize the restoration of the original purity of the spirit. Also, a pectoral is put on - a sign of the sacrifice of Christ and the initiation of his slave to the church, the Orthodox community.

After dipping, chrismation takes place. This is how God's grace is transferred to man. The rite of baptism of an adult it doesn't end there. Those who “enter” the church are invited to take communion. The believer is given bread, as a symbol of the body of Christ, and red wine, the blood of Jesus.

The rite of infant baptism dispenses with communion, if only because the kids are not yet able to accept the food offered. Nor are children capable of repenting of sins they do not yet have. The crumbs cannot even make a conscious choice of confession.

Therefore, in Orthodoxy the rite of christening a child done according to the faith of the parents. The godfather and mother also take responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of the offspring. They must fast, pray, and teach the same child.

The opinion of the offspring is not taken into account until they reach 7 years. Until the age of 14, the decision is made by the parents, but the priest has the right to take into account the statements of the teenager. After the 14th birthday the rite of baptism of a child in orthodoxy performed only with the consent of the boy or girl.

Rite of Protestant Baptism

Most Protestants accept only conscious the rite of baptism. rules confessions, from the point of view of theologians, are not entirely clear. Therefore, in Protestantism there are many branches, communities. Some are for "entering" the church at any age, but they are in the minority.

Protestants adhere to the truths of the Bible. Cases are not specified in Holy Scripture. Jesus told the apostles that the likes of babies are in the kingdom of heaven. That is, newborns are sinless. This means that they have nothing to partake of, repent of.

So, Protestants only in adolescence spend the rite of baptism of a child. rules they say that a person must have a clear idea of ​​why he performs the sacrament. Children are just as incapable of this as they are incapable of reading or understanding scripture.

As a result, in the same Baptist church, rituals performed on citizens under the age of 16 are considered invalid. For all Protestants, it is obligatory to dip the person being baptized three times in water. However, some communities oblige to immerse completely, others also recognize simple sprinkling.

The rite of Catholic baptism

How to get baptized in the catholic church? The first rule is not to do without an announcement. This is a ritual from early Christianity. It is fully preserved only among Catholics. The proclamation is the spiritual preparation for the sacrament. The essence of the ceremony is the study of the dogmas of faith, Holy Scripture, the foundations of a righteous life. Peculiar courses last from a couple of months to several years. "Exam" takes the priest.

If the disciple is recognized as catechumen, the priest draws an invisible one on the believer's forehead and reads a prayer. It should save a person from original sin. In Catholicism, people are sure that people are born with a "stain" from Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden.

Therefore, not only over adults, but also over babies, the rite of baptism.How does it go the sacrament can be found in ancient sources from the 200s of our era. It was then that the tradition of three-time dipping of children appeared. Historians believe that the cause was the epidemic, the low level of medicine.

The offspring often fell ill. Mothers turned with prayers to the church. Preachers found the only explanation - the Lord is angry with the child for something. Later, this resulted in the conviction of original sin. To save babies from punishment, rituals began to be performed immediately after childbirth.

Catholic rite of baptism on the video different way of consecrating the font. Easter candles are lowered into it three times. A candle is given into the hands of a believer even after leaving the waters. Unlike the same Orthodoxy, chrismation and communion do not always follow the first rite.

Children go through the second and third stages only when they reach the age of 7. Only a bishop can conduct the sacrament, which is also at odds with the Orthodox and Protestant traditions.

1. Who is God?

1. God is the Creator of the universe:

• Acts. 4:24 And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, O Lord God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them!

2. God is spirit:

• John 4:24: God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

3. God is immortal and dwells in impregnable light:

• 1 Tim 6:16: The only one who has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To him honor and power eternal! Amen.

4. God is triune, which means the unity of the three persons of the Godhead in One:

2. Who is the devil?

Spiritual being, also called Satan, murderer and father of lies:

• In. 8:44: Your father is the devil; and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and did not stand in the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks his own, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

3. Who are angels and demons (demons)?

God's angels are ministering spirits sent by God to those who are to be saved:

• Heb. 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to minister to those who are to inherit salvation?

Demons- these are angels cast down from heaven, who have not retained their dignity, servants of the devil:

• open 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
• Jude 1:6: And he keeps the angels who have not kept their dignity, but have left their habitation, in eternal chains, under darkness, until the judgment of the great day.

4. What is hell and heaven?

hell called the place of eternal torment, prepared for the devil and his angels. Right there, in "lake of fire" all sinners will be cast out:

• Matt. 25:41 Then he will also say to those on the left side, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
• open 21:8 But the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall be in the lake burning with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.

Paradise- a place prepared by God for those who love Him:

• 1 Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, which God has prepared for those who love Him.
• 2 Pet. 3:13: However, according to His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

5. How did the universe appear?

Almighty God created the heavens and the earth in six days:

Day 1, light:

• Gen. 1:1-5: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. And God said: let there be light. And there was light. And God saw the light that it was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness night. And there was evening and there was morning: one day.

Day 2, firmament:

• Gen.1:6-8: And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate water from water. And God created the firmament, and separated the water that was under the firmament from the water that was above the firmament. And it became so. And God called the firmament sky. And there was evening and there was morning: the second day.

Day 3, land, vegetation:

• Gen. 1:9-13: And God said, Let the waters that are under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear. And it became so. And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of waters he called the seas. And God saw that [it] was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth vegetation, grass yielding seed, fruitful tree yielding fruit after its kind, in which is its seed, on the earth. And it became so. And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, in which is its seed after its kind. And God saw that [it] was good. And there was evening and there was morning: the third day.

Day 4, planets and stars:

Gen. 1:14-19: And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to separate the day from the night, and for signs, and times, and days, and years; and let them be lamps in the firmament of heaven to give light to the earth. And it became so. And God created two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the smaller light to rule the night, and the stars; and God placed them in the firmament of heaven to give light to the earth, and rule over the day and night, and separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that [it] was good. And there was evening and there was morning: the fourth day.

Day 5, fish, birds:

Gen. 1:20-23: And God said, Let the water bring forth reptiles, living creatures; and let the birds fly over the earth, in the firmament of heaven. And God created great fish, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that [it] was good. And God blessed them, saying: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. And there was evening and there was morning: the fifth day.

Day 6, animals, people:

Gen. 1:24-31: And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, after their kind. And it became so. And God created the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing on the earth after its kind. And God saw that [it] was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed that is in all the earth, and every tree bearing fruit of a tree yielding seed; - you [this] will be food; And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I [gave] all herbs for food. And it became so. And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning: the sixth day.

Day 7, rest:

Gen. 2:2-3: And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had done, and rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, for on it he rested from all his works, which God created and created.

6. What is the origin of man?

Man was created in the image and likeness of God from the dust of the earth and placed as master over all living beings. “In the image and likeness of God” means creative, thinking and with free will and the right to choose:

• Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
• Gen. 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

Woman was created from Adam's rib:

Gen. 2:21-22: And the Lord God brought a deep sleep upon the man; and when he fell asleep, he took one of his ribs, and covered the place with flesh. And the Lord God created from the rib taken from the man a wife, and brought her to the man.

7. What is sin?

Sin- breaking the commandments of God

• 1 In. 3:4: Whoever commits sin also commits iniquity; and sin is lawlessness.

8. How did the fall of man happen?

In the Garden of Eden, God made a covenant with man, which consisted of Adam keeping a single commandment. Having violated the commandment of God, Adam and Eve committed iniquity, which means they sinned:

• Gen. 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You shall eat of every tree in the garden, but you shall not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat of it you will die.
• Gen. 3:6: And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eye and desirable, because it gives knowledge; and took its fruit and ate; and gave also to her husband, and he ate.

9. What is God's will for sinners?

God wants to save all people:

1 Tim. 2:3-4: ... for this is good and pleasing to our Savior God, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

10. What is salvation?

Salvation consists in freeing a person from sin through forgiveness:

• Onion. 1:77: ...to make His people understand salvation in the forgiveness of their sins.

11. Who is Christ?

Christ— Son of God, Savior of the world:

• Onion. 2:10-11: And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; I proclaim to you great joy, which will be for all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord.

12. How did God forgive people's sins?

God laid on His Son the sins of all people, and Christ paid the penalty for them:

• Is. 53:6 We all have gone astray like sheep; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
• Is. 53:5: But he was wounded for our sins, and tormented for our iniquities; the punishment of our peace [was] upon him, and by his stripes we were healed.

13. What is the Bible?

Bible(translated from Greek "book") consists of 66 books: 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament. (There are other books called apocryphal or non-canonical, they are not included in the canon of the Old and New Testaments, neither Christ nor the Apostles ever referred to them). The Bible was written by about 40 people over 1600 years. God Himself through the Holy Spirit is its author:

• 2 Tim. 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
• Gen. 2:16-17: And above all, that no prophecy in Scripture can be resolved by itself. For prophecy was never uttered by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke it, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible, the Word of God or Holy Scripture, is the primary authority for the Christian.

14. What is faith?

Faith- this is trust in God, confirmed by the fulfillment of His will:

• Heb. 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

• Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, having received a revelation of things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark for the salvation of his house; by it he condemned (the whole) world, and became heir of righteousness by faith.

Faith in the God of Heaven comes from attentive hearing of the Word of God.

• Rome. 10:17: So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• Faith that is not manifested in deeds is useless and dead in itself.
• Jacob. 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

15. What does the gospel contain?

Word "Gospel" translates as "joyful news". The good news tells of Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day for our justification:

• 1 Cor. 15:3-4: For I first gave you what I [myself] received, [that] [is] that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day, according to Scripture.
• Romans 4:25: Who was delivered for our sins and rose again for our justification.

16. How does a person receive salvation?

Salvation is received by faith in the Gospel, through repentance:

• Mark. 1:15: ...and saying that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

17. What is repentance?

Repentance is the realization of one's sinful state before God. It consists in the public expression of the desire to live a new life in Christ Jesus and leads to a change in the whole life of a person.

• Acts. 26:20: ... but first to the inhabitants of Damascus and Jerusalem, then to all the land of Judea and to the Gentiles he preached that they repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance.

18. What is being born again?

born again- this is the spiritual rebirth of a person, which consists in changing his inner nature and is expressed in new goals, desires, aspirations. Occurs by faith in the name of Jesus Christ from the water and the Holy Spirit at repentance. The born again person is a child of God.

• In. 3:5: Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

19. What is the “new creation in Christ”?

Scripture calls Christians to leave the old way of life of the old man, living with sinful desires. And put on the new man, made in the likeness of God for righteousness.

• Eph. 4:22: ... to lay aside the former way of life of the old man, rotten in seductive lusts.
• Eph. 4:24: ...and put on the new man, created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.
• Postpone: Col. 3:8-9: anger, rage, malice, slander, foul language, lying.
• Put on: Col. 3:12, 14: in mercy, goodness, humility of mind, meekness, longsuffering, love.

20. How is righteousness acquired?

We receive righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, after repentance.

• Phil. 3:9 ...and be found in him, not with my own righteousness, which is from the law, but with that which is through faith in Christ, with the righteousness from God by faith.

21. Who is the Holy Spirit?

This is one of the personalities of the Holy Trinity. Was sent by Jesus Christ to His disciples.

• In. 15:26 When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
• In. 16:13 When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak of Himself, but will speak what He hears, and will declare the future to you.

22. What is the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

Christ told his disciples that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that at the moment of baptism they would receive the power with which they would testify of Him.

• Acts. 1:15: For John baptized with water, but you, a few days after this, will be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
• Acts. 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
• For the first time, the followers of Jesus Christ were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Baptism was accompanied by speaking in other tongues:
• Acts. 2:4: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
• During baptism, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the human heart.

23. Who can receive Spiritual baptism and how?

Baptism with the Holy Spirit occurs at the request of a repentant, obedient person of God's will:

• Acts. 2:38-39 Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God calls.
• Acts. 5:32 We are His witnesses in this, and the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
• Onion. 11:13: If then, being evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

24. What are the spiritual gifts and why are they given?

Spiritual gifts are given to the Church of God for edification (instruction, strengthening and spiritual growth):

• 1 Cor. 14:12: So also you, jealous of [gifts] spiritual, try to be enriched [by them] for the edification of the church.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 12:8-10 identifies nine such gifts:

1. word of wisdom;
2. word of knowledge;
3. Vera;
4. the gift of healing;
5. the gift of miracles;
6. prophecy;
7. discernment of spirits;
8. various languages;
9. interpretation of tongues.

25. What baptisms are found in the New Testament?

Word "baptism" translated from Greek as "immersion".

1) Baptism into repentance for the forgiveness of sins was performed before the atoning sacrifice of Christ:

• Mk. 1:4: John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

2) New Testament:

• Matt. 3:13: Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

3) Spiritual baptism:

• Mk. 1:8: I baptized you with water, and He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

4) Fiery. Not all Christians are baptized with this baptism, but only those whom God honors:

• Matt. 3:11: I baptize you in water for repentance, but He who comes after me is stronger than I; I am not worthy to bear His shoes; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

26. What is water baptism?

Water baptism symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During water baptism, a Christian makes a covenant with God, promising to serve Him with a clear conscience:

• 1 Pet. 3:21: So now we are like this image of baptism, not the washing of fleshly uncleanness, but the promise to God of a good conscience, saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Immersion in water symbolizes the death and burial of the old man, and the exit from the water symbolizes the resurrection for a new life in Christ.

• Rome. 6:3-6 Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we are united with Him in the likeness of His death, then we must be [united] also in the [likeness] of the resurrection, knowing that our old man was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be abolished, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

It is performed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

• Matt. 28:19: Go therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

27. Who can receive water baptism?

Water baptism is given at the request of a person: one who has repented, who has accepted the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus by faith, and who has brought forth the fruit of repentance.

• Acts. 2:38 Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Matt. 3:8: Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance.

28. What is the Church?

The church of God is made up of people and is the house of God and the body of Christ:

• 1 Tim. 3:15 So that if I tarry, you would know how to act in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
• 1 Cor. 12:27: And you are the body of Christ, and individually members.

29. How can one become a member of the Church of Christ?

One becomes a member of the visible cross-bred Church after receiving water baptism.

• Acts. 2:41 So those who willingly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added.

30. What is the name of the community you go to?

Christians of the Evangelical Faith.

• Acts. 11:26: For a whole year they gathered in the church and taught a considerable number of people, and the disciples in Antioch for the first time began to be called Christians.
• Philp. 1:27: Only live worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or I don’t come, I hear of you that you stand in one spirit, striving with one accord for the faith of the Gospel.

31. What is the governance structure of the Church?

The Head of the Church is Christ:

• Eph. 5:23: Because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and He is also the Savior of the body.

Bishop - appointed to take care of the churches:

• 1 Tim. 3:1: The word is true: if anyone desires the bishopric, he desires a good deed.

Presbyter (pastor) - takes care of the building of the church:

• Tit. 1:5: For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you would complete the unfinished business and appoint presbyters in all the cities, as I commanded you.

Deacon - assistant to the presbyter:

• 1 Tim. 3:8: Deacons also [should be] honest, not bilingual, not addicted to wine, not greedy.

32. What should be the attitude towards ministers?

Scripture calls Christians to respect and honor ministers with love for their work:

• 1 Thess. 5:12-13: We ask you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you, and those who are your leaders in the Lord, and those who admonish you, and honor them primarily with love for their work; be at peace with each other.

33. To whom should a Christian be obedient?

First and foremost, a Christian must obey God. It is also necessary to be obedient to the leaders of the Church and government, if their laws and requirements do not contradict the law of God.

• Heb. 13:17: Obey your leaders and be submissive, for they watch over your souls, as those who must give an account; so that they do it with joy, and not with sighing, for it is not useful for you.
• Rome. 13:1-2: Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power except from God; the existing authorities are established by God. Therefore, he who opposes the authority opposes God's ordinance. And those who oppose themselves will bring condemnation upon themselves.
• Acts. 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, Judge whether it is right before God to listen to you rather than to God?

34. What are the methods for educating members of the Church of Christ?

1) Instruction. You need to exhort and instruct one on one:

• 1 Tim. 1:5: The end of the exhortation is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith.

2) Rebuke. You need to rebuke with witnesses or in front of everyone:

• Tit. 2:15 Say these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority, so that no one despise you.

• 2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word, be present in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and edification.

4) Remark:

• 2 Thess. 3:14-15: If anyone does not listen to our word in this epistle, keep him in mind and do not associate with him to shame him. But do not consider him an enemy, but admonish him like a brother.

5) Weaning:

• Gaul. 1:8: But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preached to you something other than what we preached to you, let him be anathema.

35. Confession, what is it for and before whom is it done?

Confession is made before God in the presence of a minister and is necessary during the sanctification of sinning members of the Church and the repentance of those who believe.

• Ps. 31:5 But I have revealed my sin to you, and have not hidden my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You took away from me the guilt of my sin.
• 1 John. 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• Acts. 19:18 But many of those who believed came, confessing and revealing their deeds.

36. What is the "Lord's Supper"?

Lord's Supper is the fulfillment of the commandment given by Jesus Christ to His disciples. This proclaims the death of the Lord.

• Onion. 22:19-20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
• 1 Cor. 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.

37. Who participates in the "Lord's Supper" and how?

Members of the Church of Christ participate in the Lord's Supper after consecration, remembering and discussing the sufferings of Christ. Anyone who participates in this service unworthily, commits it to himself for condemnation:

• 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and thus let him eat from this bread and drink from this cup. For whoever eats and drinks unworthily, he eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not considering the Body of the Lord. Because of this, many of you are weak and sick, and many die.

38. Why is the “washing of the feet” performed?

This is the commandment of love given by Christ to the Church:

• In. 13:14: So if I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, then you must also wash one another's feet.

The washing of the feet is performed during the Lord's Supper:

• In. 13:1-12: Before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that His hour had come to pass from this world to the Father, [demonstrated that], having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And during the supper, when the devil had already put in the heart of Judas Simon Iscariot to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, got up from the supper, removed [from Himself the upper] clothes and, taking a towel, girded himself. Then he poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Approaches Simon Peter, and he says to Him: Lord! Do you wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him: What I am doing, you do not know now, but you will understand later. Peter says to Him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Simon Peter says to Him: Lord! not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. Jesus tells him: He who has been washed only needs to wash his feet, because he is all clean; and you are clean, but not all. For He knew His betrayer, therefore [and] He said: You are not all pure. When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes, he lay down again and said to them, Do you know what I have done to you?

39. How to grow spiritually?

For spiritual growth, a Christian needs to constantly abide in the teachings of the Lord, prayer and communion with the saints:

• Acts. 2:41-42 So those who willingly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added. And they were constantly in the teaching of the Apostles, in communion and breaking bread, and in prayers.
• 1 Tim. 4:16: Look into yourself and into the teachings; do this constantly: for by doing so, you will save yourself and those who listen to you.
• 1 Thess. 5:17: Pray without ceasing.
• Heb. 10:25: Let us not leave our assembly, as is the custom of some; but let us exhort [each other], and the more so, the more you see the approach of that day.

40. What is the work of a Christian in the Church?

The apostles call on Christians to serve each other materially and with those gifts and abilities that are given to them from the Lord. This is necessary for the strengthening of the Church of the Lord and for no one to be barren:

• 1 Pet. 4:10: Serve one another, each one with the gift that you have received, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
• Rome. 12:6-8: And how, according to the grace given to us, we have different gifts, [then], [if you have] prophecy, [prophesy] according to the measure of faith.
• Tit. 3:14: Let our people also learn to exercise themselves in good works, [in] [satisfying] necessary needs, so that they will not be fruitless.

41. What is prayer?

Prayer- a conversation with God through the Holy Spirit, is done standing on your feet or kneeling in reverence:

• In. 14:14: If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
• Heb. 5:7: He, in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and with tears, offered prayers and supplications to him who was able to save him from death; and was heard for [His] reverence.

You can pray with the mind and spirit:

• 1 Cor. 14:15: What to do? I will pray with the spirit, I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the mind.
• Rome. 8:26-27: Likewise the Spirit strengthens us in our weaknesses; for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings inexpressible. But he who searches the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the [will] of God.

42. What is fasting?

Fast- temporary refusal of food to strengthen prayer by pacifying the body.

• Acts. 14:23 And having ordained elders for them in every church, they prayed with fasting and committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
• Is. 58:3: “Why do we fast and You do not see? we humble our souls, but you do not know?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do your will and require hard work from others.

Fasting is performed according to the need of the whole Church or one of its members.

43. What is the relationship between God and man based on?

God loved people when they were still sinners and sent His Son to earth for their salvation. He expects people to love each other, so the relationship between God and man is based on love:

• In. 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
• Matt. 22:36-38: Master! what is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: this is the first and greatest commandment.

44. Why do the sisters cover their heads during prayer, but the brothers do not?

A man should not cover his head, as he is the image of God and His glory. The woman is the glory of her husband and must have before the angels a sign that she is under the power of her husband.

• 1 Cor. 11-7,10: Therefore, the husband should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God; and the wife is the glory of the husband. Therefore, the wife must have on her head [the sign] of power [over] [her], for the Angels.

If a man prays with a covered head, or a woman with an uncovered one, then by doing so they shame their heads:

• 1 Cor. 11:4-5: Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered shames his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered puts her head to shame, for it is the same as if she were shaved.

45. How should a Christian dress?

Christian clothing should be modest, clean, neat and decent, should not draw attention to the features of the male or female body.

• 1 Tim. 2:9: ... that also women, in decent attire, with modesty and chastity, adorn themselves not with braiding [hair], not with gold, not with pearls, not with clothes of great value ...
• 1 Cor. 12:24: ...and our ugly ones are more plausibly covered, but our decent ones have no need. But God measured the body, inspiring greater care for the less perfect.

46. ​​How are members of the Church welcomed?

Members of the Church of the same sex are greeted with a holy kiss:

• Rome. 16:16: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Brothers and sisters are greeted with a handshake.

47. What can a Christian eat?

The teaching of Christ does not divide food into clean and unclean:

• Matt. 15:11: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth defiles a person.

Every food is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer:

• 1 Tim. 4:4-5: For every creation of God is good, and nothing is reprehensible if received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

It is necessary to refrain from the use of blood, strangled, and idol offerings (so that there is no temptation).

• Acts. 15:29: ... to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and strangled, and fornication, and not to do to others what you do not want for yourself. By following this, you will do well. Be well.

48. How to ask the Lord?

Members of the Church can inquire of the Lord through ministers:

• Number 27:21: And he will turn to Eleazar the priest and ask him for a decision, by means of the Urim before the Lord; and at his word they must go out, and at his word they must enter, and all the children of Israel with him, and all the congregation.

49. What is the family hierarchy?

God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of the husband, the husband is the head of the wife, children are subject to their parents.

• 1 Cor. 11:3 I also want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, the husband is the head of the wife, and God is the head of Christ.
• Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

50. Between whom are marriages allowed?

Marriage in the Church of Christ is allowed only between members of the Church.

• 2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship is there between righteousness and iniquity? What does light have in common with darkness?
• Ref. 34:16 And you shall not take wives from their daughters for your sons, lest their daughters commit fornication after their gods and lead your sons to fornicate after their gods.

51. Is it possible to avoid having children?

Children are a blessing and a reward from the Lord:

• Ps. 126:3: This is an inheritance from the Lord: children; reward from Him is the fruit of the womb.

Human intervention in God's plans for procreation is a violation of the commandment, and sometimes murder (abortion):

• Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

52. How are temptations overcome?

Temptations are conquered by the whole armor of God:

• Eph. 6:13-18 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having your feet shod in readiness to preach the gospel of peace; above all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the spirit, and strive for this very thing with all constancy and prayer for all the saints.

53. What are superstitions and occultism?

Superstition- belief in the supernatural significance of any actions or phenomena (a black cat, an empty bucket, talismans, "lucky" numbers, etc.), this is a manifestation of distrust in God, in whose hands is the fate of a person.

Occultism- actions aimed at communicating with the forces of evil (fortune telling, spells, "black" and "white" magic, witchcraft, spiritualism, etc.).

• Deut. 18:10-12: You should not have a soothsayer, a soothsayer, a soothsayer, a sorcerer, a charmer, summoning spirits, a magician and questioning the dead; For every one who does this is abominable before the Lord, and for these abominations the Lord your God casts them out from before you.

A person is freed from the sin of the occult through confession and the prayer of renunciation. It is also necessary to get rid of occult books and objects:

• Acts. 19:19: And of those who practiced sorcery, quite a few gathered their books and burned them in front of everyone, and added up their prices, and they turned out to be fifty thousand drachmas.

Water baptism took place in the Church of the Khleb Zhizni (Bread of Life) in Omsk. On this day, 10 people decided to take an important step - to make a covenant with God.

At the Bible courses that take place in our church every Saturday, one could hear about what it is, what the Bible says about it, and realize the full responsibility of the upcoming step. Below we will consider what requirements God makes for those who wish to receive water baptism.

“But what was an advantage for me, for the sake of Christ I considered loss. Yea, and I count all things loss for the sake of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Him I have renounced everything, and count everything as rubbish, that I might gain Christ and be found in Him, not with my own righteousness, which is from the law, but with that which is through faith. into Christ, with the righteousness of God by faith; to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, in order to obtain the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:8-11)

Water baptism is a physical act that expresses spiritual truth. By receiving water baptism, we participate with Christ in the fact of His death and resurrection. By being baptized in water, a person publicly testifies to the dedication to the service of God.

For those who wish to receive water baptism, God has provided certain requirements. There are four such requirements, and they are very significant.
First requirement. God commands those who wish to be baptized to repent: “…Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Repentance is the foundation, the foundation of a relationship with God.

Repentance is not just a tearful confession of sins. To repent means to change your mind, to turn away from sin. In many ways, a person's life depends on his thoughts. Therefore, turning to God begins with a change in the way of thinking, since a change in the way of thinking leads to a change in the way of life. So, repentance is an internal change, as a result of which a person moves from a state of rebellion before the Word of God to a state of humility and complete obedience.

The second requirement is to believe: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Faith naturally follows repentance. Faith is a characteristic, a quality of the new life in Christ that we receive from God. Faith is a property of the regenerate person's life. Faith means to live according to the Word of God: "The righteous shall live by faith" (Heb. 10:38).

God is Spirit, and everything connected with Him is spiritual. Therefore, God Himself and the world around Him are inaccessible to our senses. Faith, as a spiritual category, is able to see what is impossible to feel. Faith is a choice of guidance: the Word of God or temporal experiences.

Faith comes through fellowship with God through His Word. How much the Word of God is in a person, so much faith is in him. Scripture says that God has given everyone a measure of faith, that is, each of us has as much faith as he needs in order to fulfill God's purpose: than one should think; but think modestly, according to the measure of faith which God has given to each one” (Rom. 12:3). God gives us instructions for cultivating faith: “Let not this book of the law depart from thy mouth; but meditate in it day and night, that you may do exactly what is written in it;

Our faith is also shaped by our own words. Words have spiritual power - they can raise, they can kill: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Pr. 18:22). A person's faith can be inspired by the words of faith, according to the Word of God; faith can be destroyed by words of unbelief, doubt and fear, which are contrary to the Word of God. Your speech must be controlled and verified according to Scripture.

We should also take care of our surroundings, “so that we can get rid of disorderly and deceitful people, for the faith is not in all” (2 Thess. 3:2). Only healthy fellowship builds faith: "Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33).
The third requirement is to have a good conscience. God specifically says that His children should have a good conscience: “I give you, [my] son ​​Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies that were about you, such a testament that you fight according to them, like a good warrior, having faith and a good conscience, which some, having rejected, were shipwrecked in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:18-19).

Baptism is not just a dip in the water, but a promise to God of a good conscience: “So now we also have a baptism like this image, not washing away the uncleanness of the flesh, but promising God a good conscience, which saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). Without a good conscience, our faith will not have firmness; without a good conscience, our prayer will be a heavy burden; without a good conscience, there is no boldness, no determination, no confidence.

A good conscience is a sensitive conscience, capable of distinguishing good from evil. If we do not take care of our conscience, one day it will stop speaking to us, and, as a result, sin will no longer bother us and an obstacle will appear in our relationship with God. A good conscience not only influences our walk with God, but also motivates us to act honestly and rightly.

The basis of the promise to God of a good conscience at baptism is the humble confession of one's sins, the confession of faith in the death and resurrection of Christ for the atonement of our sins - this is the essence of the biblical meaning of baptism.

And the last condition that God makes before baptism is to dedicate your life to God. Thus, baptism is an initiation into the disciples of Jesus Christ, it is an act of consent on the part of the disciples to dedicate themselves to the Teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Our whole life belongs to Jesus Christ. Despite the difficulties, problems, defeats that will come our way, it is important to stay true to our promise. Each time life confronts you with a choice, with warmth and gratitude, remember those moments when you stood in the water and answered the simple question: “Is Jesus Christ your Lord?”