OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM
CATHOLIC VIEW OF BAPTISM
Seven important Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation of child, Penance, The Eucharist (Lord’s Supper), Unction (death bed ritual), Ordination & Marriage
Catholic Definition: Baptism means to wash away the stains of original sin by infant baptism.
• Origin of Baptism by sprinkling of water - At the Council of Ferrara in 1439
Why Infants are not eligible for Baptism?
• There is no Biblical Evidence for this practice.
• Each Individual is responsible for his/her soul
• Must Repent for his/her sins
• Be a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ
Disciple means one who came to the Lord willingly, understood HIM intimately, followed HIM obediently and developed an ongoing personal relationship with HIM.
Only an adult can fulfill the requirements but not an infant.
Argument in Support of Infant Baptism
A. “Entire households”
No Support in New Testament 
• Cornelius: Acts 10:44, 47, 48
• The Philippian Jailer: Acts 16:33-34
• Crispus: Acts 18:8
• Stephanas: 1 Cor.16:15
B. “Replaces circumcision”
Circumcision was only for Israel/Abraham’s descendants; it was a sign of one’s ‘national relationship’ with the Lord.
This is why Naaman and the repentant Assyrians were never asked to be circumcised.
No support in Bible
• Circumcision was only for males; Baptism is for all, irrespective of sex

PROTESTANT VIEW OF BAPTISM
It is by immersion of a believer – Some denominations practice sprinkling also (Lutherans)
• Instituted by God the Father - John 1:6, 33
• Commanded by Lord Jesus Christ - Mt. 28:19
• Attested by the Holy Spirit - Mt. 3:16 & Acts 2:38
• Instructed by the Apostles - Acts 10:48
• Practiced by the Early Church - Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18

HISTORICAL REFERENCE
Practiced in Jewish history during assimilation of Gentiles into Jews
Gentiles had to go through a three-fold process: Circumcision, Animal Sacrifice and Water Baptism (immersion) in order to fulfill the requirements.
NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE
• Baptism by John (Jn. 3:23)
• Baptism of Jesus (Mk. 1:9-10)
• Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:38-39)
(Disclaimer: Some portions of outline and information borrowed from multiple sources)

2 Timothy 3:1-9 
Apostle Paul wrote this letter from his prison cell in Rome waiting for his execution.
The aged apostle was greatly disturbed and concerned about the things he saw in the church and outside the church.
These verses speak to us as we also live almost in the identical times of the 1st century.
ARE WE IN LAST DAYS KNOWN AS PERILOUS TIMES?
Verse 1: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days (NIV)
Paul begins with a caution – mark my words – listen to me – pay careful attention.
Last days means it is the period before the Lord’s return for HIS church known as rapture.
Apostle Paul says these last days will be terrible, miserable, grievous, perilous and hard to deal with and to bear.
What makes these last days so horrible period in human history?
He says such characters will surface with great intensity – literally inhabits every person other than the true believer.
In our time 24/7 news coverage or the explosion of internet promote them with great intensity.
I will summarize Apostle Paul’s list of character straights of last days from verses 2-4.
1. There is a total rejection of God. 
God becomes the least and last priority of people as they have no time for God.
People are unholy, ungrateful, lovers of themselves, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 
2. Total moral collapse. 
People become lovers of money, conceited, without love toward others, boastful, proud, unforgiving, conceited, “not lovers of what is good.” 
Re-defining God ordained marriage for the convenience of immoral life styles.
3. Total breakdown of society. 
People will be treacherous, rash, slanderous, brutal, and disobedient to parents, abusive and without self-control. 
4. No rules, no moral absolutes, no restraints of any kind. 
Every person does what is right in his/her own eyes and who dare to question the “lifestyle choices.” 
In our own country (USA) wrong is becoming right and right is becoming wrong.
This is all due to moral decay and depraved mind and depraved soul.
In 21st century every passing day we will see this ugly monster raising its head more clearly and visibly. 
In the last days people turn away from God but in truth they act more religious, not less. 
They go to church, get baptized, attend the services, sing and pray as they go through the motions – their hearts will be far from the truth. 
They will deny the very power they profess to believe just to make them happy.
Paul says “Have nothing to do with such people”.
We are to keep away from such religious people who do not believe the Bible and do not accept its authority over every area of life, including sexual morality. 
Such religious people are lost for forever rejecting the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. 
We should not be influenced by them but continue to standby what we believe.
ARE WE IN THE DAYS OF HIJACKED RELIGION?
Today it is not just women folk who fall prey to such influences but everyone is vulnerable.
These depraved and godless people make their way into the homes of even Christians to compromise with the changing trends of godless society.
Such churches or Christians failed to accept the biblical truths but believe equally in culture, tradition and begin to dance to the tunes of immoral society.
Theologically liberal churches are slowly moving away from biblical standards day by day.
Today some churches are accepting practicing homosexual people into the ministry even as bishops responsible for moral authority in the church.
Certainly we will see an outbreak of Satan worship in the last days.
We are not completely there but very close to that tipping point.
The false teachers in Church were not only in Paul’s day but also in our times to corrupt the believer.
Paul names them as Jannes and Jambres of Moses time.
Today we have to understand that we are in the last days, most terrible days.
Apostle Paul cautions us to be on guard and be vigilant  and live out our lives as true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:1-12
Apostle Peter draws our attention to some important spiritual factors in our Christian life.
The new born baby grows day by day depending on pure milk of the mother or powder milk.
When we first accept the Lord into our hearts we are like new born babies and need pure spiritual food to grow in our Christian walk.
But there are many common character flaws that hinder the growth of a Christian.
We have to get rid of all such “wrong attitudes of heart”.
These are moral imperatives named in the first verse like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 
Like junk food they make us to lose the real taste for pure milk, the Word of God.
No Christian is born fully grown – as we see stages of growth in a baby so also in a Christian
We need to see day by day spiritual growth as a baby - 'Peter says that growing in your salvation'
We have tasted that the Lord is good – we have experienced HIS grace, His love, HIS mercy – HIS free gift of salvation.
For this reason Peter puts us as Lord’s privileged people – taking the place of Levites as priests without any temple.
Lord Jesus is described as the chosen stone, corner stone, precious stone, foundation stone and living stone.
HE was chosen by God and but the world has rejected HIM.
The Church, in Peter’s view has been built on the Living Stone – in the process we also become the living stones offering spiritual sacrifices through our lives.
Apostle Peter says that since we have come to the Living Stone and we will become like HIM, our Lord as living stones.
We all become the priests serving and offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.
The Church of Lord Jesus Christ is the spiritual house with Christ as the foundation stone.
Every Christian is a privileged priest to serve the Lord not in a temple but in his/her own heart.
Every individual Church is the designated place to bring sacrifices – our life is an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord – we are the living sacrifices.
Like people of Israel, we are also the chosen people because faith in Lord Jesus.
We become that special possession of God Almighty.
This puts us under the spot light as our position in Christ demands that we have to live a separated life for Christ.
All those who did not know the Lord as their Savior are literally living in darkness.
Apostle Peter is quoting from Scripture:
Verse 6 is from Isiah 28:16, one of the Messianic prophecies. 
Verse 7 is from Psalms 118:22 referring to the Messiah.
Verse 8 is also from Isiah 8:14
Apostle Peter cautions us to avoid getting lost in our Christian walk because of those sinful desires that always corrupt and contaminate our soul.
We are required to live a life that attracts the non-believers and our life should impress them to have the desire to know more about the Lord but not to discourage them.
Our personal lives will always be a testament and witness to glorify God.
The Christian lives in the world but not the world in a Christian.
The world should not change us but we change the one we influence with our life.
Pastor Wiersbe says “Separation is not isolation but it is contact without contamination” “Live a godly life in this godless world”
We have to keep in mind that we are chosen people, separated for God, privileged people and priests of the Holy God.
God always works through our lives to bring others to the living hope we have.

John 15:1-8
USA celebrated its independence day on July 4th 
The Declaration of Independence, a statement was prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.
It was finally approved on July 4, 1776. 
Since then USA is celebrating July 4th as Independence Day.
Independence means freedom from dependency.
This phrase speaks volumes and can be understood in multiple settings.
I quote from daily bread “Independence appeals to all ages. It means “freedom from the control, influence, support, and aid of others”
Today we learn one very important spiritual truth that we are not independent of God.
Our independence is solely based on our dependency on Christ.
There is no spiritual freedom apart from God – every Christian believer is dependent upon Christ always.
When a person is dependent on Christ that person enjoys true freedom.
True freedom describes our salvation – justified by HIS grace – redeemed from the guilt of sin – assurance of forgiveness of sin.
“The TRUTH will set you free”
This is our true independence as a Christian.
In this passage we come across the word ‘remain’ seven times.
‘Remain in ME’ captures the essence of a Christian - knowing HIM personally, receiving the saving grace and building an ongoing deeper and personal relationship with Christ.
Everybody cannot remain in Christ because they have to know HIM personally.
A deeper personal relationship with the Lord Jesus is vital and required.
Everyone can understands the relationship between a branch and the tree.
A branch is not independent of the tree – it has to remain attached to the main trunk.
DEPENDENCY ON CHRIST
HE is the source of all physical life as well as spiritual life
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all life because HE created everything that exists.
Remaining in Christ results in spiritual growth
Failing to bear fruit is a serious consequence in Christian walk.
A Christian is always totally dependent upon HIM for any spiritual fruit in life.
Fruit bearing in a Christian be seen in many ways:
When we win others to Christ
When we grow in holiness and mature in the Word with obedience to Christ
When a Christian willingly give to the Lord’s ministry
When a Christian faithfully and sacrificially serve the Lord
God disciplines those who remain in Christ from time to time to keep us on track. 
We must let the Father to cut wrong practices and habits out of our lives.
INDEPENDENCE FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH
I personally think that Lord is referring to the non-believer here.
HE is talking about those who rejected HIM will definitely face spiritual death.
A believer faces only one death – the physical.
But a non-believer in the Lord faces two death – physical death and death in lake of fire called HELL
We can do nothing that really matters unless we abide in Christ.
When we remain in HIM the Lord will provide HIS grace in every situation no matter what we go through.
Our lives must glorify God as result of the fruit bearing process.
Our actions and deed will not only glorify God but also declare us to be Christ’s disciples.